Undoubtedly, this is one of the questions most often asked by parents
as their child reaches the age where a camping experience becomes
an option. I might add that "option" is the operative
word and here is why. There are many different programs and recreational
experiences available for children today, and certainly camp is
one of them, but camp is not necessarily the be all and end all.
So, my first recommendation would be that parents thoroughly research
all of the options available to them for their child before making
a final decision. Having said this, I might point out that, particularly
for children with learning disabilities and those with ADD or ADHD,
where socialization and low self-esteem is a concern, a camping
experience may offer just the right recipe to help a child learn
the skills necessary for him or her to become the best that they
can be. No, camp is not a cure, but it can certainly set a child
on the path to success and as parents or educators, what more can
we ask for?
The other important point I would like to make is, to include your
child as early as possible in the process, no matter which options
you are looking at. First and foremost, this is meant to benefit
the child, notwithstanding the fact that moms, dads and care givers
indirectly benefit as well, if you know what I mean... So make it
"fun" for everyone.
Once you have made the decision that camp is the desired option,
then here is what you do. First, you contact the Ontario Camping
Association at 416-781-0525 and ask for their camping guide which
lists all of the camps accredited by the Association. Basically
what the OCA accreditation process does, is give its member camps
the "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval." In other words,
every accredited camp has met the required standards of the Association,
thereby assuring prospective campers and their families of a minimum
standard of quality in every aspect of a camp's operation.
While you are waiting to receive the directory, you and your child
need to spend time to answer some very basic questions, e.g., What
do we want from camp? What length of time best suits our needs?
Is an all girls, all boys or co-ed setting best for our child? What
type of program and/or philosophy are we looking for? Are there
special physical, emotional or mental needs we should consider or
compare to the camp's ability to meet them?
After you have received the OCA directory, you might want to do
a preliminary read through and, based on your child's and your own
priorities and expectations, simply go through an initial process
of elimination. A checklist for choosing a camp might include the
following: health and safety procedures, emergency procedures, name
of director, quality of living space, quality of dining area and
of food preparation, quality and balance of camp program, staff
training and experience, general supervision and camper/staff ratio,
ability to meet special needs, references from other parents, and
accreditation from OCA or similar associations.
Once you have made a short list of potential camps, then call the
director of each camp and request a camper application package.
Upon receipt of this material, sit down with your child, read each
camp brochure, and keeping in mind your priorities and your child's
needs, evaluate the camps, make notes and check marks, particularly
around things which come across in the brochure as being outstanding.
The reason for this is that you want to make sure that what you
saw or read is really what happens at this camp. Even though camp
brochures are designed primarily as a selling tool, they can provide
you with invaluable information about the camp. Do read between
the lines, however. For example, if a camp puts a great deal of
emphasis on its past history, perhaps it has failed to evolve and
keep up with the changing times, both in terms of program and recreational
and/or educational philosophy.
One of the most important steps in choosing a camp is to have an
opportunity to meet the camp director, or at least a representative,
in person, either at an open house, or preferably in your home.
You will want to ask about his or her background in camping, about
the camp's philosophy and about the camp's provisions for campers
with special needs. This is your chance to ask any questions or
to raise any concerns you or your child might have about the camp
or the program. One crucial point here is that parents and/or guardians
of a child, particularly one with special needs, must be completely
up front as to their child's condition, his/her specific requirements
and their expectations. You will find that, under most circumstances,
camp directors are more than willing to make the necessary adjustments
to meet a child's needs. This face to face meeting is also the camp
director's opportunity to start forming a relationship among himself,
a prospective camper and his/her family. Remember, your child's
camping experience may span several years, so the relationship you
develop with each other may prove to be very significant. Therefore,
if a director is unable or unwilling to facilitate this, as a parent
I would be concerned.
Let me end simply by stating that, regardless of your own past
camping experiences, or what other people may have told you, in
my opinion and based on my experience of over 20 years in the camping
business, no camp can and should claim to be suitable for every
child. Moreover, no responsible camp director will ever give you
a guarantee that your child will succeed at camp. Even though it
is understood that every parent wants to make absolutely sure that
they are doing the best for their child, one must also understand
that there are simply too many variables to be able to guarantee
a successful camping experience. The real and only issue here is
that all children, regardless of their abilities or disabilities,
should be given a choice based on their individual needs and their
own goals and aspirations, as they relate to a camp's philosophy,
resources and capabilities. It is up to everyone concerned to make
sure that the best possible choices are made, and that ultimately,
the child is the "winner."
|
