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by Connie Coutellier
| As we approach the summer season, camp
directors need to take steps to help children in their care feel
safe and secure in a time when their world seems unstable and dangerous.
All of your staff or campers have likely been affected in some way
during these difficult times. Some of your campers have family members
or friends in the military or involved in homeland security, emergency
response, or public safety. Many may be struggling with conflicting
feelings and fears about the decisions being made, actions being
taken, and opinions being expressed.
As the daily events play out in the media there may be an increase
in the anxiety level and apprehensions of both adults and children.
For many children, the guidance of caring adults will not only help
reduce their stress but help them develop life-long emotional and
psychological coping skills.
Understanding the Feelings and Attitudes of Your
Staff
Children often learn fears and coping skills by observing adults.
Before staff can be role models and provide a caring environment,
they must first examine their own behaviors and attitudes toward
war, terrorism, and diversity. International and American staff
may have very different reactions to current events. Camp directors
should be clear about expectations for staff behavior and discussions
that should or should not happen in front of children.
- Current events
Although it is important that staff and campers are kept informed
about current developments during the summer, who determines what
information is shared and how?
- Anti-war or pro-war beliefs
Staff have personal beliefs that may be different from campers
or their parents. Staff may have adamant political beliefs, beliefs
about support of troops, war as an act of violence, humanitarian
treatment or relief efforts, or whether the United States should
have initiated action with or without international support. As
a part of a democratic society, we recognize people have different
beliefs and have the right to express those beliefs in an appropriate
manner. How are questions from campers about these beliefs to
be handled in the camp setting?
- Personal fears
Although it is natural for everyone to feel fear during turbulent
times, how are those fears appropriately expressed in camp? What
about fears for the safety of their own families and friends?
Young adult staff may have fears of a draft being reinstated or
receive letters from personal friends currently deployed in Iraq.
How will their fears be acknowledged, and do they need opportunities
to discuss their anxieties with friends or professional or spiritual
counselors?
- Diversity and tolerance issues
How will expressions of discrimination or harassment be handled?
What are campers and staff teaching each other about ethnic populations?
Are there specific racial or religious stereotypes being discussed?
How is compassion for others feelings demonstrated?
- Attitudes of anger, hatred, or violence
Be on the lookout for signs of anxiety in your staff. One of the
common reactions is excessive worry and anger. How will expressions
of anger and intolerance be handled? Expect more irritability
and conflicts and plan for quicker resolutions.
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The National Association of School Psychologists
suggests that it is important to identify vulnerable populations.
The degree to which children in their care are affected will vary
depending on personal circumstances. The most vulnerable are children
who:
- live in proximity to past traumatic events or "high"
target areas;
- have suffered a personal loss from or had firsthand exposure
to terrorism, violence or military actions;
- have parents currently in the military or in active duty in
the reserve forces;
- have parents who fought in past conflicts like the Gulf War;
- have parents involved in emergency response or public safety;
- are of non-U.S. origin and may feel threatened by intolerance
or racism; and
- suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or other
mental illness.
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The Evaluation and Development Institute is an online
library of resources from a variety of sources on Middle East and
Iraq opinion/news and multiculturalism.
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Talking With Children - Links
to Other Web Sites
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Resources for Responding
to Changes in Behavior |
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Understanding the Feelings and Behaviors of Your Campers
Many children will display some signs of stress. Staff need to understand
that campers may be experiencing a variety of reactions and feelings in
response to war or acts of terrorism. Some of these are normal reactions
to uncertainty.
- Fear
Campers may fear for the safety of those in the military and for their
own safety.
- Loss of control
A feeling of lack of control may be overwhelming and confusing. They
may react by trying to exert more control over those things they can
control.
- Anger
Anger is a natural reaction. Children may direct their anger toward
their own parents, other children, or persons who are opposed to war.
- Loss of stability
Normal family routines are interrupted. Camp can be an important respite
for changes in their usual schedules.
- Isolation and separation anxiety
Children with family members who are in the military or reserves may
feel isolated. They may be staying with one parent or with relatives
while their parents are gone. While camp may seem a helpful alternative,
the child may feel more isolated and separated.
- Confusion
Children may be confused and have trouble separating reality from the
violence they see daily on television or in the movies.
Acknowledging Feelings and Helping Campers Feel Safe
It is difficult in today's world to face the challenges of explaining
violence, war, and terrorism to children. Staff should be alert to changes
in behavior and the emotional responses that might indicate distress and
respond to them in a developmentally-appropriate manner. Camps should
provide opportunities for children who are asking questions or experiencing
signs of distress to discuss their concerns and fears. Although difficult,
these conversations and responding to changes in behavior are extremely
important.
Talking with children
Staff should receive guidance in how to answer questions and discuss these
issues with their campers. Through careful discussion, staff can help
campers separate real from imagined fears and help restore a sense of
security and safety. They can help campers develop the skills they need
to feel resilient, rather than powerless. It is important for staff to:
- Remain calm, be reassuring, and listen to campers.
- Acknowledge children's thoughts, feelings, and fears. Strive to recognize
the personal feelings behind the child's actions and acknowledge them.
"I know you are concerned about your mom being so far away."
Be consistent and reassuring, but don't make unrealistic promises about
what will or will not happen.
- Create an appropriate time to discuss questions or behaviors. Be sure
there is enough time to add closure to a discussion before children
have to run off to an activity. Although bedtime is not a good time
to initiate a discussion, it might be the time when children have the
need to talk. Be sure to transition into more calming subjects or activities
before going to sleep.
- Understand how to make the discussion age-appropriate and not overload
children with too much information.
- Children often personalize situations. Assure them they are cared
for and that actions are taken to assure their safety.
- Understand campers need for contact with their parents and help facilitate
communications with them according to the procedures established by
the camp.
- Avoid stereotyping groups of people by race, religion, or nationality.
Use opportunities to teach cultural differences, tolerance, and explain
prejudice.
- Do not force children to be a part of a discussion if they are not
interested or don't want to talk about it.
- Be prepared to acknowledge concerns. This is a really difficult time
for everyone. It is OK for them to know you are worried about events.
It is also OK for staff to ask for help if they are uncomfortable talking
with children about these issues.
- Remember that children learn from watching how adults react to situations
and, at camp, they often idolize staff and listen to conversations staff
have with each other.
Responding to changes in behavior
During times of stress, structure and consistent expectations for behavior
are important. The following is a list of ideas for discussion with staff
about some expected behavioral changes and ideas for responding to them.
- Campers who are at camp for the first time often feel some separation
anxiety. If the normal procedures for dealing with homesickness are
not effective, additional attention and/or more information about the
child's specific situation or fears may be needed.
- Children may have more problems at bedtime. Discussions about war
or terrorism should not happen just before going to bed. Consider whether
night-lights, stories, music, or other ways to provide comfort to children
as they fall asleep should be a part of a regular routine.
- Children may pretend to act out "war," blow things up, or
include images of violence in their artwork. This is a normal way children
express their awareness of events around them. However, it may be very
upsetting to some children. Try to get them involved in camp activities
or guide their actions toward role playing policemen, firemen, or emergency
personnel who provide help to save lives. Children who are really obsessed
with violent thoughts may need professional help.
- Some children may withdraw or become aggressive. If the behavior continues
or if there are signs of severe stress-such as talk of suicide or destructive
behaviors-it should be taken seriously and professional help sought
immediately.
It is important for your camp to partner with parents and provide a sense
of collective security between home and camp. Find out as a part of the
screening process if the child has reason to be more vulnerable to stress
or if she or he has been expressing concerns or fears or changes in behavior.
Encourage parents to share the strategies they have used to help their
child feel more safe and secure and what their expectations are for communication
with them while the child is at camp.
Remember, opportunities for children to get away from the anxieties of
these difficult times that are revealed daily in the media and to participate
in a supportive, fun-filled community are needed more than ever. With
thought and preparation, camps are uniquely positioned to meet the challenge
and provide these opportunities.
Originally published in the 2003 Spring issue
of The CampLine.
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