Bill of Rights for the Special Needs Camper

"Not all flowers grow straight and true but still they are flowers!" ~ author unknown

1. DON'T DRAW UNNECESSARY ATTENTION TO YOUR CAMPER'S CONDITION.

DO NOT PUT A "LABEL" ON THE CAMPER.

2. PROVIDE INCONSPICUOUS AND GENTLE REMINDERS TO YOUR CAMPER.

A CAMPER HAS A "RIGHT TO PRIVACY."
CHOOSE TO MAKE GENERAL REMINDER ANNOUNCEMENTS TO ALL CAMPERS.
MAINTAIN SCHEDULES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

3. DO NOT SYMPATHIZE: EMPATHIZE.

BE UNDERSTANDING - REMEMBER THAT THESE KIDS NEED EXTRA DOSES OF COMPASSION AND ENCOURAGEMENT.
ANY ESTABLISHED PROGRAM SHOULD HAVE MEASURES IN PLACE TO ALLOW ALL CHILDREN TO SUCCEED.

4. ALWAYS BE PREPARED.

LEAD STAFF SHOULD NOTIFY ALL STAFF INCLUDING GROUP LEADER, SPECIALTY STAFF, TRANSPORTATION, AND SUBSTITUTE STAFF MEMBERS ABOUT CAMPERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
THE CAMPER'S SCHEDULE SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE "MODIFIED" AS NECESSARY - ANTICIPATE - PLAN AHEAD!
CONSIDER A CAMPER'S "SPECIAL NEEDS" WHEN LEAVING CAMP GROUNDS, AND BE SURE TO INCLUDE CAMP DIRECTOR, SUPERVISOR, NURSE, AND PARENTS EARLY IN THE PLANNING PROCESS.

5. BE PATIENT.

KEEP ASKING QUESTIONS. TRY TO GET TO THE ROOT OF A PROBLEM. DON'T LET IT GO.
PRAISE REINFORCES GOOD BEHAVIOR.
BE CALM, FIRM, AND NON-CONTROLLING; AVOID YELLING. KEEP YOUR COOL, STATING CLEAR EXPECTATIONS.

6. KEEP THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION OPEN.

CAMP STAFF SHOULD HAVE A PLAN FOR COMMUNICATING WITH PARENTS ABOUT ISSUES THAT MIGHT AFFECT THEIR CAMPER'S SPECIAL NEEDS.

7. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.

STAFF SHOULD LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR CAMPER'S CONDITION - GET ONLINE.
STAFF SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH THE CAMP'S EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.
SPEAK TO THE CAMPER'S PARENTS.
SPEAK TO STAFF MEMBERS WHO HAD THE CAMPER THE PREVIOUS SUMMER.