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Is
summer camp right
for my
special needs child?
As the director of a
children’s summer camp, this is a question that I am often
asked. In response I ask the parents a few questions of my
own:
-
Does your child like being outdoors in nature?
-
Does your child want to go to summer camp?
- Is
your child able to follow rules and get along with
others?
-
Does your child like animals?
-
Does your child like asking questions and then trying to
discover the answers to those questions (science)?
If the answer to these
questions is yes, then my answer is also yes. Now, I know
that the last two questions don't apply to a lot of other
camps, but those questions can be replaced by what ever
other specialty a camp may offer.
A camper's desire to be
at camp is the most important factor in determining his or
her success / enjoyment. From my experience, camp directors
are more than willing to provide supports to children with
special needs, if the child wants to be at camp and has the
ability to get along with other kids. Summer camps are
offering so many specialties these days that it is possible
to find a camp for just about any interest.
Many studies have shown
that summer camp helps kids increase their independence and
self esteem. Parents of special needs children are often
surprised by all the things that their children were able to
do for themselves at camp. Things that they often expect
their parents to do for them at home.
That said children with
special needs often benefit from a little prep work before
heading off for their first summer camp adventure.
Here are several things
that a parent can do to help their child prepare for a
successful summer camp experience.
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Allow your child help pick the camp.
Review camp websites or brochures together and choose a
camp that look good to both of you.
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If your child will be sleeping
in a sleeping bag at camp let him practice sleeping in a
sleeping bag on his mattress for a few nights to get use to
the feel of it.
-
Encourage your child to make
her own bed and pick up her own clothes each morning. Most
camps have cabin inspections and campers are expected to
clean up after them-selves.
-
Have your child practice taking
quick showers. Shower time is usually pretty limited at
camp and very few camps have bath tubs.
-
Practice self advocating.
That’s a fancy way of saying speaking up for yourself.
Talk with your child about times when he may have to ask
for help, such as letting someone know when he doesn't
know where something is (his next activity or the
closest bathroom), or when he shouldn't eat something
because of a food allergy. - Be
sure that your child has a chance to meet the camp director
and knows where to find him or her. Speak to the camp
director in advance and ask who your child can speak with if
she is having trouble. The first choice should always be
the cabin counselor, but it is nice to know the “person in
charge.”
-
Review a copy of the camps
daily schedule, practice going to bed an getting up at "camp"
times.
-
Let your child visit camp for a
tour prior to attending camp as a camper.
-
Have your child help pack for
camp and be sure to label everything including tooth brush,
tooth paste, hair brush etc. It’s amazing how many personal
items look just like everyone else’s.
-
Send along some things to do
during the down time such as favorite books or magazines,
card games, puzzles, quiet crafts, journals to write in,
paper and crayons to draw with.
-
Prepare an information page or
overview of your child’s special needs for camp. Send a
copy prior to your child’s arrival and then bring several
copies with you to camp on the first day. Be sure to give a
copy to your child’s counselor, the camp nurse and an extra
one for your child’s file.
Other things of
interest:
How to
choose the right session length.
Common Questions that parents have
about our summer camp.
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