We recommend working with your camper to prepare for time away from home. There are three skills that make a big difference:
Self-Advocacy
Can your camper accurately tell someone when they need something? Parents have a special ability to see their child and know when something isn’t right and have a range of strategies to respond to whatever might be off. Camp teaches self-advocacy skills but having the ability and comfort to ask for help, let someone know when something is wrong and communicate likes and dislikes helps campers get off to a great start.
Tips to practice self-advocacy in preparation for Camp:
- Have your child take the lead when visiting the doctor.
- Practice ordering independently at a restaurant.
- Name what you are seeing when your child seems off and talk with them to figure out what strategy to use to help them feel better.
- Have your child talk with their teacher or coach when there is a problem.
Self-Care
Can your child independently practice good self-care with limited reminders? Our counselors do a great job of establishing routines in the cabins and reminding campers to complete basic self-care tasks (brushing teeth, washing hands, brushing hair, putting dirty clothes away, etc.), and campers who are able to do these tasks independently have an easier transition to Camp.
Tips to practice self-care in preparation for Camp:
- Practice making the bed and picking up personal items. Bonus points for teaching them how to change the sheets!
- Help your camper learn to independently brush and style hair, put sunscreen on, clip nails and perform other self-care tasks with confidence.
*Bedwetting and accidents: We understand this is common (it's probably the #1 question we get from parents!). Campers who occasionally wet the bed and are willing to tell a counselor when it happens typically do well and have a positive experience at Camp. We recommend sending these campers with identical sets of sheets so we can be discrete if they need to be changed. Campers who are wetting the bed frequently or require support using pull-ups are likely not ready for Camp yet. Similarly, campers who are having accidents or who require support in the bathroom need to master this skill before registering.
Self-Regulation
Can your camper calm themselves down when something is upsetting? Can they communicate using words when they are really upset? Can they choose appropriate language when stressed or excited? Part of the secret sauce that makes Sea Gull and Seafarer so impactful is the experience of managing discomfort and developing the ability to conquer tough situations. Your camper will experience discomfort and challenging situations at Sea Gull or Seafarer. While counselors are there to help, campers can practice self-regulation skills and coping strategies that are helpful in the Camp environment at home.
Tips to practice self-regulation in preparation for Camp:
- Practice stepping away from a stressful situation, calming down and re-entering more ready to respond.
- Practicing stress-reducing/stress management strategies that don’t involve reliance on technology. Examples include taking a break, naming feelings, asking for help and relaxing breathing to name a few. For a successful Sea Gull or Seafarer experience, campers cannot engage coping strategies that are harmful to themselves or that negatively impact the cabin group.
- Practice good listening skills. Listening skills are foundational to forming friendships. Additionally, counselors give lots of directions designed to keep campers safe, especially on activities.
If your camper is finding that impulse control or emotional regulation is getting in the way of success in school, social relationships or other activities in a group setting, please reach out to our Directors of Camper Life as soon as possible.
For specific questions about your camper, please contact our Directors of Camper Life.
- Sea Gull: Liz Morgan (Liz.Morgan@SeaGull-Seafarer.org)
- Seafarer: Meredith Stewart (Meredith.Stewart@SeaGull-Seafarer.org)
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