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As we approach the summer season, camp directors need to
take steps to help children in their care feel safe and
secure in a time when their world seems unstable and dangerous.
All of your staff or campers have likely been affected in
some way during these difficult times. Some of your campers
have family members or friends in the military or involved
in homeland security, emergency response, or public safety.
Many may be struggling with conflicting feelings and fears
about the decisions being made, actions being taken, and
opinions being expressed.
As the daily events play out in the media there may be
an increase in the anxiety level and apprehensions of both
adults and children. For many children, the guidance of
caring adults will not only help reduce their stress but
help them develop life-long emotional and psychological
coping skills.
Understanding the Feelings and Attitudes
of Your Staff
Children often learn fears and coping skills by observing
adults. Before staff can be role models and provide a caring
environment, they must first examine their own behaviors
and attitudes toward war, terrorism, and diversity. International
and American staff may have very different reactions to
current events. Camp directors should be clear about expectations
for staff behavior and discussions that should or should
not happen in front of children.
- Current events
Although it is important that staff and campers are kept
informed about current developments during the summer,
who determines what information is shared and how?
- Anti-war or pro-war beliefs
Staff have personal beliefs that may be different from
campers or their parents. Staff may have adamant political
beliefs, beliefs about support of troops, war as an act
of violence, humanitarian treatment or relief efforts,
or whether the United States should have initiated action
with or without international support. As a part of a
democratic society, we recognize people have different
beliefs and have the right to express those beliefs in
an appropriate manner. How are questions from campers
about these beliefs to be handled in the camp setting?
- Personal fears
Although it is natural for everyone to feel fear during
turbulent times, how are those fears appropriately expressed
in camp? What about fears for the safety of their own
families and friends? Young adult staff may have fears
of a draft being reinstated or receive letters from personal
friends currently deployed in Iraq. How will their fears
be acknowledged, and do they need opportunities to discuss
their anxieties with friends or professional or spiritual
counselors?
- Diversity and tolerance issues
How will expressions of discrimination or harassment be
handled? What are campers and staff teaching each other
about ethnic populations? Are there specific racial or
religious stereotypes being discussed? How is compassion
for others feelings demonstrated?
- Attitudes of anger, hatred, or violence
Be on the lookout for signs of anxiety in your staff.
One of the common reactions is excessive worry and anger.
How will expressions of anger and intolerance be handled?
Expect more irritability and conflicts and plan for quicker
resolutions.
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The National Association of School Psychologists suggests
that it is important to identify vulnerable populations.
The degree to which children in their care are affected
will vary depending on personal circumstances. The most
vulnerable are children who:
- live in proximity to past traumatic events or "high"
target areas;
- have suffered a personal loss from or had firsthand
exposure to terrorism, violence or military actions;
- have parents currently in the military or in active
duty in the reserve forces;
- have parents who fought in past conflicts like the Gulf
War;
- have parents involved in emergency response or public
safety;
- are of non-U.S. origin and may feel threatened by intolerance
or racism; and
- suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression,
or other mental illness.
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The Evaluation and Development Institute is an online library
of resources from a variety of sources on Middle East and
Iraq opinion/news and multiculturalism.
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Talking With Children - Links to
Other Web Sites
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Resources for
Responding to Changes in Behavior
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Understanding the Feelings and Behaviors
of Your Campers
Many children will display some signs of stress. Staff need
to understand that campers may be experiencing a variety of
reactions and feelings in response to war or acts of terrorism.
Some of these are normal reactions to uncertainty.
- Fear
Campers may fear for the safety of those in the military and
for their own safety.
- Loss of control
A feeling of lack of control may be overwhelming and confusing.
They may react by trying to exert more control over those
things they can control.
- Anger
Anger is a natural reaction. Children may direct their anger
toward their own parents, other children, or persons who are
opposed to war.
- Loss of stability
Normal family routines are interrupted. Camp can be an important
respite for changes in their usual schedules.
- Isolation and separation anxiety
Children with family members who are in the military or reserves
may feel isolated. They may be staying with one parent or
with relatives while their parents are gone. While camp may
seem a helpful alternative, the child may feel more isolated
and separated.
- Confusion
Children may be confused and have trouble separating reality
from the violence they see daily on television or in the movies.
Acknowledging Feelings and Helping Campers
Feel Safe
It is difficult in today's world to face the challenges of
explaining violence, war, and terrorism to children. Staff should
be alert to changes in behavior and the emotional responses
that might indicate distress and respond to them in a developmentally-appropriate
manner. Camps should provide opportunities for children who
are asking questions or experiencing signs of distress to discuss
their concerns and fears. Although difficult, these conversations
and responding to changes in behavior are extremely important.
Talking with children
Staff should receive guidance in how to answer questions and
discuss these issues with their campers. Through careful discussion,
staff can help campers separate real from imagined fears and
help restore a sense of security and safety. They can help campers
develop the skills they need to feel resilient, rather than
powerless. It is important for staff to:
- Remain calm, be reassuring, and listen to campers.
- Acknowledge children's thoughts, feelings, and fears. Strive
to recognize the personal feelings behind the child's actions
and acknowledge them. "I know you are concerned about
your mom being so far away." Be consistent and reassuring,
but don't make unrealistic promises about what will or will
not happen.
- Create an appropriate time to discuss questions or behaviors.
Be sure there is enough time to add closure to a discussion
before children have to run off to an activity. Although bedtime
is not a good time to initiate a discussion, it might be the
time when children have the need to talk. Be sure to transition
into more calming subjects or activities before going to sleep.
- Understand how to make the discussion age-appropriate and
not overload children with too much information.
- Children often personalize situations. Assure them they
are cared for and that actions are taken to assure their safety.
- Understand campers need for contact with their parents and
help facilitate communications with them according to the
procedures established by the camp.
- Avoid stereotyping groups of people by race, religion, or
nationality. Use opportunities to teach cultural differences,
tolerance, and explain prejudice.
- Do not force children to be a part of a discussion if they
are not interested or don't want to talk about it.
- Be prepared to acknowledge concerns. This is a really difficult
time for everyone. It is OK for them to know you are worried
about events. It is also OK for staff to ask for help if they
are uncomfortable talking with children about these issues.
- Remember that children learn from watching how adults react
to situations and, at camp, they often idolize staff and listen
to conversations staff have with each other.
Responding to changes in behavior
During times of stress, structure and consistent expectations
for behavior are important. The following is a list of ideas
for discussion with staff about some expected behavioral changes
and ideas for responding to them.
- Campers who are at camp for the first time often feel some
separation anxiety. If the normal procedures for dealing with
homesickness are not effective, additional attention and/or
more information about the child's specific situation or fears
may be needed.
- Children may have more problems at bedtime. Discussions
about war or terrorism should not happen just before going
to bed. Consider whether night-lights, stories, music, or
other ways to provide comfort to children as they fall asleep
should be a part of a regular routine.
- Children may pretend to act out "war," blow things
up, or include images of violence in their artwork. This is
a normal way children express their awareness of events around
them. However, it may be very upsetting to some children.
Try to get them involved in camp activities or guide their
actions toward role playing policemen, firemen, or emergency
personnel who provide help to save lives. Children who are
really obsessed with violent thoughts may need professional
help.
- Some children may withdraw or become aggressive. If the
behavior continues or if there are signs of severe stress-such
as talk of suicide or destructive behaviors-it should be taken
seriously and professional help sought immediately.
It is important for your camp to partner with parents and provide
a sense of collective security between home and camp. Find out
as a part of the screening process if the child has reason to
be more vulnerable to stress or if she or he has been expressing
concerns or fears or changes in behavior. Encourage parents
to share the strategies they have used to help their child feel
more safe and secure and what their expectations are for communication
with them while the child is at camp.
Remember, opportunities for children to get away from the anxieties
of these difficult times that are revealed daily in the media
and to participate in a supportive, fun-filled community are
needed more than ever. With thought and preparation, camps are
uniquely positioned to meet the challenge and provide these
opportunities.
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