It is that time of year when camps are gearing up to welcome their campers, and parents are busy with end-of-school tests, celebrations and preparing their children for camp. Here are a few tips for camps as you welcome campers!

1. Get to know your campers: Use various forms of interest inventories or simple “get to know you” activities to become familiar with your campers’ likes and dislikes and to learn more about their strengths. When you use this information, you not only build relationships with your campers, you help your campers develop relationships with each other.
2. Choices! Many campers benefit from having choices throughout the day. This could mean choosing between two activities or even something simple like picking a red or blue popsicle. Offering choices helps kids feel empowered and can support self-regulation.
3. Visual Schedules! Some campers will benefit from the use of a visual schedule so that they know what activity is happening next and to expect throughout the day.  This can be done with pictures on index cards on a ring that they can carry along, some campers will benefit from being able to check off each activity once they have finished
4. Try Timers!  Knowing how much time is left in an activity—or when something new is coming—can ease transitions for many campers. Visual timers like those from the Time Timer company (available in multiple sizes and as a phone app) can be a great tool to support this.
5. Be Flexible!  When something is not working for a camper, this is not a time to dig your heels in, rather, it is a time to stop, connect, and figure out what’s going on. Always remember, behavior is communication. Our job is to listen and respond with understanding and creativity.

Wishing you everyone a fun and successful summer and if we can be helpful in any way, please reach out to us via our contact form below!