Who should NOT go to sleepaway camp?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids whose ADHD is not under control. Kids who get in trouble at school for behabad vior.

-1

It’s really not ok to shun kids with ADHD. And there’s also a big difference between a kid who may sing a silly song repeatedly and annoy some kids, or who forgets his towel and loses every water bottle vs. a kid who would do something very extreme like set the building on fire or strangle another camper. Obviously the latter would be better served in a camp with extensive supervision and support, but there are places for that. The former should not be excluded so your special NT snowflake has a bespoke camp experience.

Kids who annoy others, forgets his towel and loses his water bottle (your examples) are exactly what I’m talking about. It’s extra work for the counselors and hard on other kids. Someone asked the question so I’m answering. It’s also my observation that difficult kids are the ones who go to camp youngest bc parents need a break, which is influencing my opinion.

This is one of the worst, most intractable things about DCUM. I’m so sure your kids are perfect, PP. I’d prefer the kids without compassion stay home, because their mean side eye and snide comments hurt kids more than mine who forgets her water bottle and goes thirsty til the next mealtime.

[Anonymous]

Bed wetters

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids whose ADHD is not under control. Kids who get in trouble at school for behabad vior.

-1

It’s really not ok to shun kids with ADHD. And there’s also a big difference between a kid who may sing a silly song repeatedly and annoy some kids, or who forgets his towel and loses every water bottle vs. a kid who would do something very extreme like set the building on fire or strangle another camper. Obviously the latter would be better served in a camp with extensive supervision and support, but there are places for that. The former should not be excluded so your special NT snowflake has a bespoke camp experience.

Those kinds of kids are better served at SN camps or NT camps that allow for 1:1 staffing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids whose ADHD is not under control. Kids who get in trouble at school for behabad vior.

-1

It’s really not ok to shun kids with ADHD. And there’s also a big difference between a kid who may sing a silly song repeatedly and annoy some kids, or who forgets his towel and loses every water bottle vs. a kid who would do something very extreme like set the building on fire or strangle another camper. Obviously the latter would be better served in a camp with extensive supervision and support, but there are places for that. The former should not be excluded so your special NT snowflake has a bespoke camp experience.

Agreed. Also many an ADHD kid who struggles with sitting still in school each day, thrives in a camp setting where there is a ton of exercise and varied activities, often outdoors.

I talked to camp directors when choosing a camp and was generally reassured that most do great. They did stress not to do any radical changes in medication at camp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids whose ADHD is not under control. Kids who get in trouble at school for behabad vior.

-1

It’s really not ok to shun kids with ADHD. And there’s also a big difference between a kid who may sing a silly song repeatedly and annoy some kids, or who forgets his towel and loses every water bottle vs. a kid who would do something very extreme like set the building on fire or strangle another camper. Obviously the latter would be better served in a camp with extensive supervision and support, but there are places for that. The former should not be excluded so your special NT snowflake has a bespoke camp experience.

Kids who annoy others, forgets his towel and loses his water bottle (your examples) are exactly what I’m talking about. It’s extra work for the counselors and hard on other kids. Someone asked the question so I’m answering. It’s also my observation that difficult kids are the ones who go to camp youngest bc parents need a break, which is influencing my opinion.

Losing your towel and forgetting a water bottle are really no big deal. As long as the kid doesn’t freak out and accepts the consequences (might have to use their hand towel and a cup, or they get resourceful like my kids do and find kids with extras of these things - social skills for the win).

Lots of screen free outdoor time is often as good as adhd meds

I do agree about kids who annoy others, but there are always these kinds of kids and I expect my own kids to learn to deal with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids whose ADHD is not under control. Kids who get in trouble at school for behabad vior.

-1

It’s really not ok to shun kids with ADHD. And there’s also a big difference between a kid who may sing a silly song repeatedly and annoy some kids, or who forgets his towel and loses every water bottle vs. a kid who would do something very extreme like set the building on fire or strangle another camper. Obviously the latter would be better served in a camp with extensive supervision and support, but there are places for that. The former should not be excluded so your special NT snowflake has a bespoke camp experience.

Kids who annoy others, forgets his towel and loses his water bottle (your examples) are exactly what I’m talking about. It’s extra work for the counselors and hard on other kids. Someone asked the question so I’m answering. It’s also my observation that difficult kids are the ones who go to camp youngest bc parents need a break, which is influencing my opinion.

This is one of the worst, most intractable things about DCUM. I’m so sure your kids are perfect, PP. I’d prefer the kids without compassion stay home, because their mean side eye and snide comments hurt kids more than mine who forgets her water bottle and goes thirsty til the next mealtime.

+ a million.

[Anonymous]

Kids with medical issues, bed wetters and highly resistant anxious kids. I think that about covers all the reasons why I’ve given up with my kids…

[Anonymous]

Kids who lose their water bottles should not go to sleepaway camp?

GTFO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids with medical issues, bed wetters and highly resistant anxious kids. I think that about covers all the reasons why I’ve given up with my kids…

Why shouldn't they if those things can be easily managed?

[Anonymous]

We have all kinds of kids at camp. The kid needs to be able to take care of basic hygiene, work collaboratively with others, and follow adult directions. If your child needs significant behavioral support at school, talk to the camp to see if that kind of support will be provided. If we know ahead of time that a child has certain challenges, we can put extra staff in place, but we don’t want the child to crash and burn before we realize what they need, so please by honest. Please send them with needed medication and don’t think a week off ADHD meds is going to go well.

Kid needs to be able to change clothes in front of others and shower with some privacy, but not total privacy. Our camp gas pit latrines, so they need to be ready.

Camp is terrific for so many kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids whose ADHD is not under control. Kids who get in trouble at school for behabad vior.

+1.

Agree, but not specific to adhd. Kids with bad behavior, don’t/can’t follow directions with consistently, are annoying to others and don’t get social cues. These kids can be unsafe at camp and create an unpleasant environment for those around them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was a counselor for several years and we always had the reluctant campers who claimed they hated camp, but cried and begged to stay when their parents came to pick them up early. It's an adjustment for every kid, and several cried the first night. But, they're so busy and run around all day, that they collapse into their bunks day two. I allowed 2-3 kids to call home to let their parents know they were fine after receiving a desperate "come get me" letter. But generally, if a kid can make it beyond the first week and really get into the camp activities, they'll be fine. I think trying a two week program is a safe bet. Sleeping and playing in the woods, swimming in a lake, doing arts & crafts, making music & singing, developing friendships and living without any electronics 4 weeks was amazing for my DC.

It’s not about “being fine” - kids should actually enjoy it, otherwise they should do something else. Thriving versus surviving…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids whose ADHD is not under control. Kids who get in trouble at school for behabad vior.

They have special camps for kids with ADHD/special needs its located in Maryland, my DD went there for a few weeks she loved it!!!!!

[Anonymous]

1) Any kid who doesn't want to go
2) Any kid whose parents decide not to disclose important behavioral or medical conditions to the camp. If your kid has issues that may impact their health and behavior at school or at home, for the love of god, tell the camp. They will tell you whether they can handle those issues and will be ready to work with you if they can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids with medical issues, bed wetters and highly resistant anxious kids. I think that about covers all the reasons why I’ve given up with my kids…

they have Pull-ups, most the kids will not noticed or really care. my DD took her pull-ups and she doesn't know if anyone noticed, if they did no one cared.