The Other Mother and I will be traveling this weekend to do a brief training for new and returning camp counselors at "Camp Endless Summer" - a camp here in New England for siblings separated by adoption and foster care. We need your collective wisdom and advice.A beautiful lakeside Summer Camp in New England donates a week at the end of their camping season to the program - so the facilities are pretty much free. Volunteer Counselors and some paid staff provide a week of incredible camping experiences.
We have been asked by our amazing Adoption Social Worker (lovingly known as The Stork) to speak during the Orientation/training day for new and returning camp counselors about what camp might be like for some of these kids - what behaviors/situtions they might expect to see and how they might handle it. How to best react and manage. YIKES. All in 45 minutes.
Now that's a tall order.
Sisters. Brothers. Bonfires. S'Mores. Swimming. Grief. Loss. Longing. Sailing. Singing. Short sheeting. Sad stories. Wounded spirits. Healing hearts. Bug bites. Bug off. Meltdowns. Sunburn. Sundown. Pillow fights. Hot dogs. Heartburn. Heart ache.
Memories will be made. Some VERY BIG Memories will resurface. Wow.
So faithful readers, I am asking for some suggestions on what you think we ought to cover in our ever so short 45 minute training. What tips would you give new and seasoned volunteer camp counselors on how to best deal with your kids??? Seriously, we'd love your input.
This is sort of small potatos compared to what some people deal with---but I have to tell camp counselors that my Rob freezes in place and essentially becomes non verbal when frightened. (this is exactly what happened at our house a couple wks ago when he accidently dumped hot pasta on his sister) He has improved to the point where he will respond to a direct order in an emergency but I always want them to not count on him to be the go for help guy should a crisis arise.
ReplyDeleteTell them that they shouldn't be separating siblings.
ReplyDeleteLK