Counselor Facilitation Guide
Kindness Trail Guide
Focus: Compliment vs. Flattery
Session Time
25 MINS
Grades 9-10
In the Circle
Core Value: Kindness
Session Objective
To help campers distinguish between empty flattery and genuine, specific compliments, fostering a culture of authentic appreciation rather than social performance.
Leader Prep
- • Gather campers in a circle
- • Have "Kindness Cards" ready
- • Bring a pen for each camper
0-5 MINS
The Vibe Check
Leader Script:
"Hey everyone. Imagine someone walks up to you and says: 'You are literally the best person ever, seriously.' Now imagine they say: 'I noticed you checked on Marcus when he was upset earlier—that was really thoughtful.'"
Ask the group:
- Which one feels like it's for 'show'?
- Which one makes you feel actually seen?
5-10 MINS
The Sincerity Split
FLATTERY
- Broad/Vague: "You're amazing."
- Exaggerated: Uses words like "always" or "literally."
- Hidden Agenda: Usually wants something in return (a favor, likes, status).
COMPLIMENT
- Specific: Mentions a concrete action or trait.
- Sincere: Rooted in something you actually saw.
- Grounded: It's a gift with no strings attached.
10-20 MINS
Activity: The Circle of Sincerity
Pass out the Kindness Cards. Explain the challenge:
The Instruction:
"Look at the person sitting to your left. Think about the last 24 hours. What is ONE specific thing you observed them doing or saying that was positive? Write it down, then we will share out loud."
During Share-out:
Ensure campers are using "I noticed..." or "I appreciated when..." rather than "You're cool."
20-25 MINS
Closing & Challenge
"Which was harder? Giving the compliment or receiving it? Why?"
THE SUMMER CHALLENGE
One genuine, specific, observed compliment per day for the rest of the summer. No flattery. No broad statements. Just real kindness.
Kindness Cards Worksheet
The Sincerity Scraps
Write a genuine, specific compliment for the person on your left.
Kindness Observed
To:
"I noticed that you..."
From:
✓ SPECIFIC ✓ SINCERE ✓ NO STRINGS
Kindness Observed
To:
"I noticed that you..."
From:
✓ SPECIFIC ✓ SINCERE ✓ NO STRINGS
Kindness Observed
To:
"I noticed that you..."
From:
✓ SPECIFIC ✓ SINCERE ✓ NO STRINGS
Kindness Observed
To:
"I noticed that you..."
From:
✓ SPECIFIC ✓ SINCERE ✓ NO STRINGS
Cut along the lines to separate cards
Sincerity Streak Tracker
Sincerity Streak
The Summer Kindness Challenge
Camper Name
The Mission
Give one genuine, specific, observed compliment every single day. No flattery. No broad statements. Just real recognition of the good you see in others. Mark a spot for every day you complete the challenge.
Wk 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Wk 2
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Wk 3
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Wk 4
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Wk 5
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Wk 6
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
Wk 7
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
Wk 8
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
Summer Reflection
How did this change the way you see your cabin mates?
Observation over opinion • Sincerity over status • Kindness over cool
