Most kids who go to camp suffer nothing worse than a skinned knee or a bad sunburn. But occasionally, stories hit the news of camp experiences that went very bad indeed -- of death due to food allergies or asthma, for example, mishandled by inexperienced counselors and poorly supervised kids. Parents of children with special medical, behavioral or emotional needs must be vigilant to make sure their little one's camp experience is truly safe and secure. Here are ten ways to help that happen.
1. Don't keep secrets
It may be tempting to send your child off without labels to experience life as a "normal" kid. But the camp can't keep your child safe if they don't know what to keep him safe from. Give the staff a true and honest account of your child's special needs. Put it on forms; have a talk with the nurse; tell it to the counselors. Make sure they know this is something you consider to be important.2. Provide references
Don't assume that camp staff will understand exactly what your child's disability entails. Provide brochures or printed information stating what the problem is, how it might threaten your child's health at camp, and what they should do about it. Keep it simple and direct -- it's considerably more likely that overworked staff and teenage counselors will read a one-page summary than a book and a mountain of papers. 3. Ask questions
You don't want to come off like the Pushy Parent from Hell, but you do have a right to ask questions about the way a camp is run. Find out who will be working with your child, how old they are, what kind of training they have, how behavior problems are handled, if restraint or corporal punishment is used, how often a nurse is present, and so on. If you don't like the answers or don't get any, find another camp.
4. Look for warning signs
Evasiveness on important points, extensive use of young counselors without much supervision, unwillingness to learn about special needs, pride in the amount of "roughing it" campers do, emphasis on mental and physical toughness, disdain for special precautions -- all these are signs of a camp that might be dangerous for a child with special needs. Think seriously about whether it's really worth the risk.5. Get extra help
If you're concerned about the amount of supervision your child will receive, or the camp is concerned with the amount of attention your child will require, see if you can arrange for a one-on-one aide to monitor your child's specific needs. Sometimes the camp will provide this for an additional sum, or allow you to hire somebody on your own. The extra expense may be worth it if it pays off in added safety.6. Hang around
Most camps have parent visitation days; show up for them. If it's possible to transport your child to and from camp instead of loading him or her on the bus, try to do so. If chaperones are needed, or you have particular skills you can offer for a workshop or special activity, volunteer. It's easier to monitor the situation if you're on-site, and your child may be less likely to act recklessly if he or she knows you're there.7. Keep in touch
Check in with camp personnel on a regular basis to see how things are going. Let them know that you want to hear about any problems right away, and will work collaboratively with them to resolve the situation. If counselors are willing, send a report form that can be checked off and returned to you each day. Be sure to read any information sent home from camp and respond promptly with questions.8. Talk to your child
Use any information that comes home from camp as a basis for conversation with your child. Instead of just asking, "How was camp?" ask specific questions based on particular activities. Be open to negative reports, and sensitive to any situations in which complaints might indicate a real problem. And let your child know how important it is to abide by the precautions necessary to keep him safe and sound -- even at camp.9. Do some role playing
It may be hard for your child, in an unfamiliar camp setting, to follow the rules and make good choices, so do a little role-playing, anticipating potentially dangerous situations and helping your child develop safe responses. If your child is going to camp with a trustworthy friend, include him or her in these sessions. Having a buddy as back-up may make it easier for your child to stick up for himself and his needs, and keep her from doing something unsafe just to go along.10. Consider alternatives
Although we wish it were not so, a mainstream camping experience may never be truly safe for children with certain special needs. Fortunately, there are specialty camps to cater to those unique campers. Check
these links to look into special-needs summer camps, and see if one might be right for your child.
