Motivating Teens at Camp (Without Losing Your Cool)

Ah, teenagers—that mysterious age where eye rolls are a second language and enthusiasm is strictly reserved for Wi-Fi. At an English program like ours, engaging teens might seem like a tall order. But with the right approach, even the shyest camper can become an enthusiastic participant (yes, really!).

Bridging the Gap

First and foremost: your attitude sets the tone. Be interested in and interesting to your campers!

Teens can sense disinterest a mile away—but they’re also surprisingly responsive to genuine energy. Show up with a smile, embrace your quirks, and let them see you’re excited to be there. If you’re having fun, they’re much more likely to join in. Positivity is contagious—be the outbreak!

And don’t forget one of our camp’s main goals: spark the camper’s interest in the English language. It won’t  be easy if the child didn't choose to come to an English camp, but that is why American Village exists: to show that English can be learned by anyone. Keeping this goal in mind helps you stay focused and upbeat. 

Use Positive Reinforcement

Motivation thrives on encouragement, and positive reinforcement is one of our core values. Compliment creative answers, cheer for brave participation, and give shoutouts for effort—even to the camper who pretends not to care. Informal support matters too: smiles, high-fives, and simply being present all help build trust. Keep it authentic.Depending on the moment, small rewards go a long way—think silly certificates, tiny prizes, or the classic “choose the next game” privilege.

Know Their Age and Interests

Activities must match the campers’ age and maturity level. What delights 8-year-olds might bore a 15-year-old to tears. Choose games that are challenging, a little silly, and socially engaging. (Tip: you can download our age-appropriate activity suggestions list on this blog article!)

Teens have their own world of interests—tap into that. Learn a few lyrics from a popular English song, or turn TikTok trends into live, interactive camp activities. You don’t need the internet to be relevant—you just need creativity. 

And no, you don’t need to speak French to discover their interests. You can be observant, or straightforword. For example, I encourage all staff to use mealtimes to ask simple questions in English to the whole table. Teens can be self-conscious. By taking the lead in group discussions at lunch and dinner, you learn about your campers without putting the spotlight one one person only. 

• If you ask everyone “Do you play sports?”, someone at the table will likely understand and answer, helping others follow along and building group rapport. 
• When someone finishes, nod and show understanding. Smile, then turn to someone else "Do you play a sport?".
• If no one understands, prompt learners by giving your reply ("I play tennis" while miming tennis). Then repeat your question "What sport do you play?". 

Don't get discouraged by short replies, or by "No".  Reply: "Ah, you don't play sports. Ok. (shows you have understood) What do you like to do?"

Don't get discouraged if a camper replies "I like You Tube" or "I like internet". Reply:  "Me too. (shows you have something in common) What do you like to watch? I like to watch cooking shows." The internet isn't bad, we all use it. But we don't all use it for the same reasons. It's a great way to know what the teen is watching (sports, dance, gaming culture, nature videos...), which can help you know their interests.

One last idea I'll leave you with is putting out an ideas box, if your director agrees. Invite campers to suggest activity ideas. Review submissions with your team—you might be surprised by the creative, usable ideas that pop up!

Don’t Bore Them to Tears

Timing is everything. Start activities on time—teens are experts at checking out when there’s too much downtime. No one wants to sit around while counselors scramble to set up. Prep in advance and kick things off confidently. A prompt start with a dynamic introduction shows that something exciting is about to happen and helps keep momentum going. Use music, costumes and characters. While you may seem silly, they'll at least be laughing or smiling, which builds engagement.

Give Choices When You Can

Whenever possible, offer choice. Letting campers vote on the next activity or pick their role in a game gives them a sense of ownership. Would you like participating in an ultra-strict activity schedule, without having any say? Probably not.

Even simple options—“Would you like to sign up for the game of baseball or for the dance lesson? ”—can shift participation from passive to eager. 

And if they reply "neither", remember, this may be true or it can be an automatic reaction. Teens seek opposition, and limits. Don't loose your cool. This is where you can politely define the limit, better describe the 2 activity options, and encourage them to put their own ideas in the ideas box! 

This is also where clearly describing the activity in advance - with words AND gestures - is important. Maybe they haven't understood the options, but don't want to look stupid. 

With more mature groups (15+), consider introducing AmVil Clubs, which is an activity organization we use that is similar to U.S. high school extracurriculars. These themed mini-groups meet for at least 3 activity periods over the week to develop a skill or project that they have chosen. Clubs help counselors give more developped activities, and provide teens more autonomy and a deeper sense of involvement.

In short: with a positive attitude, realistic expectations, and a dash of flexibility, you can turn teen hesitation into genuine engagement. 

And who knows? By the end of the week, they might even thank you—in English!

Have fun!