With all the intricate issues that surround the vastly complex world
of camp, we often find ourselves struggling to maintain a consistent
level of superior programming. Finding innovative ways to accomplish
our mission is paramount to our success. Never was that need more challenged
than in the 2002 summer camp season. For the past year, people in the
Northern Virginia and metropolitan Washington, D.C., area have been on
a quest to rebuild the Pentagon and return to a more normal lifestyle.
While jobs, commutes, security around federal buildings, and travel plans
have changed for all who live here, each family is trying simultaneously
to balance the horrors of September 11 with the desire to move on. The
visual reminder of what took place at the Pentagon, and its repair in
one year, has become a metaphor of rebuilding for people all across the
country.
The immediate reality to my camp community in Falls Church, Virginia,
was shock, funerals, and grief. Current and former staff checked in on
a daily basis to hear the latest news from other families. People were
trading numbers and looking through old staff address books to send support
or make special visits to grieving friends. Through conversations and
the unique magic of camp, people began to put the pieces back together.
Proactive Support
Part of the healing process for many families in this region was to
rely on something that has always been there for their children - camp.
Based on the numbers and types of inquiries that we received prior to
the summer, it quickly became clear that parents were looking for reassurance
that camp would continue to be a safe and supportive environment for
their children.
We began the monumental task of stabilizing our community - which includes
military, civilian, and government personnel - by answering questions
and addressing concerns with immediate pro-active responses. By getting
the word out quickly that we were going to have camp in 2002, we definitely
provided campers and staff a sense of calming relief. Included in our
diverse camp community are families from Afghanistan. Being a part of
camp and having an unconditional positive experience to look forward
to really gave them great comfort as they continued to deal with issues
of their homeland. Once these initial contacts were completed and the
core of the community was informed, we began to focus on reeducating
our camper families on the necessary values of the camp experience.
Parents took great comfort in our proactive approach to be especially
supportive of emotional issues this summer. We spent a lot of time speaking
with them about their fears and listening intently to their concerns.
To help them return to a way of life that was familiar and grounded,
certain camp values such as a sense of belonging, developing self-worth,
being around positive role models, returning to a caring community, and
being available to talk were discussed.
Addressing Concerns
To take this process one step further, we embraced the idea by addressing
concerns via e-mail, at open houses, on the phone, and during recruiting
visits. The educational component of dealing with September 11 was then
specifically addressed at staff orientation. Consultants were brought
in to work with staff to teach them what to look for and how to handle
specific camper concerns. Because stress is an insidious thing, we made
an additional point to have a special presentation on the signs and symptoms
of both current and delayed child abuse. At the conclusion of orientation,
we held a special parent/camper/staff information meeting so individual
parents could meet with and talk to their child's counselor. This helped
to calm parents who were decidedly more nervous than usual as they finalized
preparations for camp.
One main topic of universal concern was camp security. The lifestyle
changes in our area were very extensive and thus affected the fundamental
routines of almost everyone. While many returning families were already
familiar with our extensive emergency and safety procedures, they wanted
to hear them again. First-time parents had lots of diverse safety questions,
and we outlined a number of safety procedures that specifically addressed
their concerns - such as, pre-made placards for parent pick-up, asking
parents for ID's, special lock-coded doors on all buildings, visitor
check-in procedures, camper tracker forms, disaster plans, emergency
codes for crisis management, etc. We instituted an additional code this
year for dealing with mass disaster. Unlike our other drills, this is
a drill only known to staff and is not shared or practiced with campers.
A "Normal" Experience
The decision was made to put in the time for extensive parent communication
before camp so we could concentrate on providing the campers with a "normal" experience.
We wanted to help them with their fears and concerns while building up
their self-esteem through carefully designed age-appropriate activities.
The stability and reassurance they received as individuals was not just
from the schedule, it was also from the staff. We instructed counselors
to increase their scheduled calls home for campers who were struggling
with the adjustment to normal camp procedures. Even though this is a
standard procedure, we tightened the parameters on what to look for -
unexplained behavior, changes in attitude, or prolonged periods of depression.
To address the additional post September 11 issues of this summer, we
made special use of our supervisors, nurse, and whole management team.
Special training was required, and it started when staff were initially
hired. It continued through orientation with help from both crisis management
consultants and talks from police special agents who addressed some concerns
specific to our area. Throughout the summer, counselors and staff were
provided time and non-evasive opportunities to privately discuss their
thoughts in the clinic or director's office.
Increased Visibility
All summer the entire management team was very visible to the parents.
Key times such as camper drop-off, early pick-up, bus transportation
periods, afternoon pick-up, and extended hours were times when the administrative
presence was stronger than normal. We also targeted nonregular programming
time such as parent/camper evenings and the morning before each session
to address concerns. At each session, before camp started, special information
tables were set up, and parents were encouraged to share their thoughts
and concerns with members of the administrative team.
While no camp experience is ever the same from year to year, it is critical
for our campers to know that we are here for them - unconditionally.
The reassurance we provide parents, particularly throughout this past
year, is the outreach part of what camps do best. Helping campers and
staff deal with the tragedies of September 11 is an ongoing process that
will change with the developments of the world. Just as the Pentagon
was rebuilt, we too are striving to improve the lives of our campers
by providing an atmosphere that is familiar, stable, and safe.
Originally published in the 2003 January/February
issue of Camping Magazine.
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