Campers with serious illnesses may also experience mental health, developmental or behavioral concerns. The psychosocial team at camp addresses the needs of campers through a detailed process of planning, support and accommodation.
How camp meets the needs campers with psychosocial concerns:
PRESCREENING
• During the application process, campers are prescreened to learn as much as possible about potential psychosocial concerns. The prescreening process helps prepare, support and accommodate the needs of campers, volunteers and staff during camp sessions. During the process, members of the psychosocial team may talk to the child’s caregivers, doctors, nurses, teachers, counselors, social workers and therapists.
• The information gathered during prescreening is available to the volunteers and staff who directly care for that particular camper, but detailed information is generally not shared with the general population of volunteers and staff attending the camp week or weekend.
TRAINING
• Prior to camp, there will be training offered to volunteers and staff to give a general overview of potential psychosocial needs.
SUPPORT
• The psychosocial team (made up of the certified Child Life Specialist, Child Life Assistant and Cabin Life Assistant) is available during camp to offer suggestions or intervene with campers as needed.
• The psychosocial team will also communicate with parents/caregivers as needed during the camp session to ask for additional suggestions or to report concerns.
• A psychosocial team member will check in with counselors throughout the day and at the end of the day for any concerns. In turn, counselors should also feel free to reach out to the psychosocial team at any time.
• A psychosocial team member can arrange to be present during activities or events in which a camper is in need of additional support.
• The child life specialist is able to provide support during medical procedures and WellNest visits for campers.
• If needed, a behavioral contract may be developed with a camper to assist them in understanding the expectations of the camp environment.
FEEDBACK
• The counselor feedback form is vital to understanding the successes and challenges of each camper.
• Following camp, the parent/caregiver will be notified of achievements and concerns during camp.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Some campers have medical or psychosocial diagnoses that can interfere with their ability to participate in camp in a variety of ways. Accommodations can be made to make these campers more successful during their time at Flying Horse Farms.
Please see the psychosocial staff if you would like to utilize any of these accommodations:
The Meadow:
Located in the Wellnest, the Meadow is a room campers can visit for a restful moment away from camp. The room is filled with soft places to sit, low lighting and a library. The Meadow is often used for campers who are overwhelmed, overstimulated, having behavior issues or simply need a moment to rest.
Headphones:
Headphones are be provided for campers who have a sensitivity to loud noises and are overstimulated easily. Headphones are most often utilized in the dining hall where the noise is amplified and the volume is high.
Sound machine:
Sound machines are provided for campers who are experiencing a difficulty sleeping due to noise or anxiety.
Schedule:
An individualized schedule with words and images for campers who have difficulty with change and uncertainty throughout the day can be provided to reduce anxiety.
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