Partnering with summer camps on behalf of your child with special needs: Part 2, Matching with the right counselor and peer group

by Staff of the Newton Partnership

You have decided to enroll your child with special needs in summer camp and want to make it the best experience possible. There are a number of ways you can work with the camp to get your child placed with the most suitable counselor(s) and peer group.

Ways to ensure the right match

• Ask the camp if there are specific staff members trained in working with children with disabilities.

• Share information on what type of counselor your child might be most comfortable with (male, female, high-energy, laid-back, etc.).

• Share information on what type of peer group your child might be more comfortable with (small group, all girls, all boys, same age or grade, etc.).

• Ask if your child could be matched up with a “buddy” and request someone who will be a suitable peer model. Share information on what type of personality your child prefers (an assertive leader who will take him/her by the hand, or a calm, patient type who will allow your child to go at his/her own pace). Change the buddy periodically so your child establishes connections with more peers.

• Ask the director to try to place your camper in a group that offers as much consistency as possible throughout the sessions at camp. (If the camp runs for 2- week sessions and your child is signed up for 8 weeks, ask if your child can be matched with the same counselor and/or peer group for all 8 weeks.) Make sure there is flexibility, just in case you discover the original placement is not the best match.

• Present your own goals for enrolling your child at camp (find peer models, increase repertoire of leisure interests, work on social skills, etc.). Based upon your clear articulation of these goals, the camp will be better able to match your child with the right counselor.

• Ask if the camp is willing to implement accommodations to ensure your child’s success (visual schedule, behavior plan, etc.). Ask if you can review these accommodations with the camp staff prior to the start of camp.

Good communication requires ongoing communication throughout the sessions(s).

• Make sure you agree on a communication method prior to the start of camp (daily log book, email, weekly phone call, etc.).

• If there is a change in your child’s daily life at home (medication, sleep pattern, diet, behavior plan), make sure to notify the camp staff and, to the best of your ability, help them know what to expect.

• Be clear on what types of information you would like to address in your daily/weekly communication. Camps often offer basic information on activities of the day/week. You may want more feedback, for example, on how your child interacts with peers, deals with anxiety, increases repertoire of leisure skills, etc.

• Understand that a camp counselor may not have the time to write you a long note or daily email. Prepare a list of the camp’s activities so the counselor can check off those in which your child participated.

• Discuss what to do if your child refuses an activity, such as swimming or playing a game. Is it ok for your child to sit out? How can the staff encourage your child to participate? Are rewards ok?

This is the second of a three-part series entitled Partnering with Summer Camps on Behalf of Your Child with Special Needs. For more information, see part one, Preparing the Camp and part three, Preparing Your Child.