MESH Health Fair Series

Mental Health! A State of Well-Being

Mental health is not a "dirty phrase" and creating positive conversations will ensure its acceptance as a measure of one’s health. Learn more by watching one or more of the presentations in our MESH Series

Getting the MESH-age Out: Expanding the Camp Professional’s Toolbox for Mental, Emotional & Social Health Challenges.  Presented by Linda E. Erceg, RN, MS, PHN
Sensitively responding to campers and staff with MESH (mental, emotional & social health) needs can be challenging.  Balancing the desire to be as inclusive as possible with the reality of your camp’s capacity and the fact that most camp staff are not mental health professionals often creates a tough push-pull situation.  This is exactly the focus of ACA’s Healthy Camps Committee.  The content of this presentation is designed to build out your toolbox so you are more comfortable assessing and working with both MESH information and the people who have challenges in this area.  The session includes orientation to a new tool, “Assessing a Camper’s Behavior of Concern.”

Mindfulness. Presented by Katherine Soule, PhD & Robert Winthrow-Clarke, University of California Cooperative Extension
Join us for an interactive presentation on how to use mindfulness practices in your work with youth. Participants will increase their skills in leading youth through mindfulness practices, and also learn about the latest research in neuroscience and mindfulness. The presentation will include guided mindfulness activities in the form of mindful eating, breath awareness and body scans that you can utilize at your next camp event. 

Mental Health & Camp: Theory vs. Reality. Presented by Michael D. Amylon, MD, Camp Okizu 
While we can prep and discuss mental & emotional health issues and procedures at camp, the theory vs. the reality of those situations often vary widely! With that, hear from Dr. Mike as we explore real-life scenarios and how the team at Camp Okizu utilizes protocols and procedures to manage camper emotional and mental health.