Suggestions for camps?

[lisle]

Hi, everyone:
I am thinking of sending our 12yo boy to a sleepaway camp for a few weeks. I have a motive, and I wonder what you think and what camps you all have tried. I think the novel situation and the independence might help him get a little organized. But the camp can't have too big a ratio between counselors and campers. I don't know if I should try something like SOAR or go to a regular camp. My son isn't on any meds and is not good at following directions or very respectful after he gets to know you. I want this to be a positive experience.
Ideas for camps?

[camismom]

Do they have a 4-H club at his school? My dd is also 12 and she is going to a 4-H camp with her school this summer. She is also going on one with our church's youth group. If you don't have a church of your own, check with some neighborhood churches.

[1mom]

i think sending your ds to a camp that offers counselors, events, and a living situation that addresses adhd would be a good bet. that way you're already ahead of the game in setting him up for a success. he's more likely to have a positive experience in a situation like this. thought the following article might be helpful:
let us know what you decide!
prayers,
1mom

Summer Camp Guide for ADD/ADHD Children:
©Alaine Benard

Before deciding if summer camp is right for your child, parents need to arm themselves with as much information as possible. Child readiness, meeting your family’s needs, thorough investigation, and pre-camp preparation are the tools for building confidence in your decision.
To gauge your child’s readiness for over-night camp, consider his history. Has he had success at sleepovers? Does he suffer from separation-anxiety? Talking with other parents with same-age children will help you decide if it is time to make camp plans. Also, discuss the possibility of camp with your professional team, doctors, and counselors. If you feel confident that the time is right, get your child’s input. If the protestations begin immediately, explain that you will be sharing more information as time goes on. This way the seed is planted for those children who do not do well with change or new plans.
Assessing your individual family needs will help narrow down your choices. Begin with a checklist for each camp. If finances are a concern, see if grants are available through different agencies. What type of activities are you looking for? What new or current hobbies might interest your child? What is the camper to counselor ratio? Review all guidelines, staff certification requirements, medical facilities, cabins and daily activity schedule.
What are your child’s medical needs? How is ADHD and co-morbid conditions handled? How, and by whom, will medications be dispensed? If bedwetting is an issue, check into the camp’s policies. Don’t forget food and other allergy concerns that need to be addressed.
The next step is to narrow down your choices to two or three camps that fulfill your requirements. If possible, make plans to visit the actual sites. Speak to the directors and see if they can answer all of your concerns from your list. You will get a sense of the camps atmosphere from your conversation. Are your worries dispelled or brushed off quickly? Be sure to review your child’s issues regarding social skills, independence and self-esteem. How can the camp give him/her opportunities to be successful? Ask for the name and number of parents who would be willing to speak to you about their experience from last session.
Is the environment safe, clean, well organized and appealing? Is the equipment in good repair and sturdy? Also, what type of religious and worship provisions are there? Make sure the American Camping Association accredits the camp. Does the camp hold any awards? Be sure to request a copy of the disciplinary guidelines, expulsion policies, and how the counselors address emotional needs such as homesickness. The tone and willingness of the camp representative should reassure and motivate you towards signing up.
To help your happy camper be just that, a happy camper, spend family time viewing camp video, brochures, and other literature. Pull him into the excitement by getting his view on what looks interesting. Give short, reassuring answers to her qualms about homesickness or being friendless. Assure him of the counselors’ help and understanding.
A little extra love and thought from home, in the form of daily letters, will add a great touch. You can even include a stamp and an addressed return label in each one. A good idea is to send first ones ahead of your child, so they will be there when she settles into her bunk. Your camper can reply back on the original and they can be saved in a memory album at summer’s end along with neat photos taken with a disposable camera. Tuck a blank journal, gel pens and a few special treats into her suitcase. Don’t forget to share your own childhood camp experiences to get the fun and laughter rolling. If at all possible, see if you can obtain another camper’s name and address. Let them pen pal or e-pal in advance. Both boys will have a buddy waiting when they arrive! Going to meet a new friend should replace the overwhelming fear of being alone.
Three camps drew my attention for exceptional information providers: Camp Soar, Camp Kirk and Round Lake Camp. Camp Round Lake at Lake Como, PA, a wide range of traditional activities as well as pre-vocation guidance, peer skills, self-image and confidence building courses. The child’s academic programs follow his IEP, occupational therapies and include regular meetings with staff psychologist.
Beautiful Canadian Camp Kirk offered many suggestions to help ready a first time camper. Director Henri Audet suggests camp fair visits, communications with counselors and campers before your child’s session. The low ratio makes this ideal for the younger campers. He also suggested that the camp representatives would make home visits if that were more feasible. A sense of a personal achievement, medical, emotional and readiness issues are very important to this camp’s directors.
Camp Soar’s newest location in the Yellowstone area attests to its many years of success. The 3/1 ratio of counselor to camper is an added bonus to the many outdoor adventures and teamwork skills offered to the older age campers.
Each of these three camp directors did an exceptional job providing information and reassurances while instilling a sense of excitement to this parent of an ADHD’er.

[BBW4EVR1]

Our son has been going to Camp Courage since he was 6! He goes for a 2 week stay. We can write to him - but no personal contact is allowed. Camp Courage is a camp for children with disabilities. The session he goes to provides one-on-one therapy for 45 minutes per day to work on his problem areas. A full medical report is submitted to us at the end of the camp. I have to admit, the first time I left that little 6-year old at camp I felt like I was committing child abuse! But after he returned home, he assured us what a wonderful time he had. I think this time away is good for him and good for our family. It gives us a chance to re-connect to each other - something that isn't easy to do with an ADD'r in the house. It is the only time during the year where he is with kids that are just like him and they all understand what the other is going through. Camp Courage has on site medical staff including Drs. and nurses around the clock. Med's are distributed each day on schedule and the counselor to child ration is anywhere 1:3 to 1:5. Camp has been a wonderful experience for our whole family!

[lisle]

Thanks for the article. We haven't discussed the things he wants yet because we think he needs something different actually. Isn't that terrible? Anyway, has anyone ever sent their adhd kid to Camp Eaglesnest in TN? I just wonder how they deal with kids like this.
My husband isn't for an adhd camp, though I am. He thinks my son would be stigmatized more in his own mind. I think the opposite could happen. But my husband isn't as open a person as I am. My son has a lot of trouble admitting to his weaknesses and he refuses accommodations, very proud. My husband says we should just accept that. I wish we could break through that barrier. It's the same reason therapy has never worked for him. Are there any camps that fall somewhere in the middle?
lisle