Wellbeing

Wellbeing is defined as a person’s physical, social, emotional, and spiritual health. At camp, wellbeing is characterized by a camper’s ability to participate fully and in the ways they choose while feeling safe, supported, and engaged.

This is a shared goal between our parents, campers and Foley staff and it begins at home prior to the start of camp. We want your camper to be successful – both in and out of camp! We take pride in giving individual support to our campers to assist them in thriving at camp. Let’s work together to make sure we have the information we need to support your camper throughout their experience and that your camper begins to have the language to advocate for themselves.

In completing the following forms, you are providing valuable information regarding your Camper’s Wellbeing:

• On the Camper Application: Writing special considerations, concerns or activities that you do not want your camper to participate in.
• On the Camper Information Form: Sharing information about your child like how your child responds if something is bothering them or goals they may have for camp.
• On the Camper Health History: Alert us to dietary restrictions, medications, or past injuries. We also ask if there are significant family changes and information about when we need a professional referral from a mental health clinician.

If you feel a discussion with Alli Faricy, Director, prior to camp will assist us in supporting your camper’s wellbeing (creating a support plan while at camp), please contact her. Please note that information is disseminated to camp staff on a need to know basis. Your honesty is appreciated and helps us tremendously in working with your camper.

Participating Fully

There are times when campers have choice, for example in choosing their daily activities like archery or water skiing, times when they need to compromise and decide as a cabin group on an evening program or when there is no choice like sharing in cabin cleanup. All of these involve participation and our staff will support our campers as they engage in these aspects of our program.

Difference in Feeling Uncomfortable versus Unsafe

Feeling uncomfortable is normal and can lead to excitement and taking healthy risks followed by confidence and ease. This promotes camper wellbeing. Many campers have experienced that “nervous feeling” on the first day in a new school or when trying out for a team. Let your camper know that our staff are there to assist them from moving from an uncomfortable place to a thriving place.  If a camper is feeling unsafe with how they are being treated or in any other ways, please encourage them to advocate for themselves by talking to a camp staff member they feel comfortable with.

Self-Advocacy

Self-advocacy can be described as an individual’s ability to effectively communicate and convey needs. It involves making informed decisions and taking responsibility for those decisions. It involves being honest about your limitations and also about areas of growth that an experience may provide for you.  Begin by encouraging your camper in the following:

Four Key Elements of Self-Advocacy

1. Understanding one’s needs.
2. Know what kind of support might help or who to ask if you don’t know.
3. Communicate these needs.
4. Reflect on how experiences have helped you grow as a person, including how to advocate.

Camp Self-Care Strategies

Camp is busy and we want your camper to make the most of their time here. Most kids have non-social time worked into their routine at home. Sometimes it can be harder to get this time at camp. Visiting through some strategies can be imperative to their success.

1. Embrace camp life. Many campers have expressed wanting to try activities, get to know other people, be outside, find ways to be less connected to technology and other goals for their time here. The best way to succeed is by truly embracing camp life and really BEING here. Not just physically but mentally. Encourage full participation to meet these goals.
2. Balance time with friends & being by oneself. Camp is social and our campers are surrounded by other campers the majority of the day.  Some children need time by themselves. Every day we have a short rest time (30-45 minutes). Kids are required to be on their own bed doing something individually. They can read, write letters, draw, nap, make bracelets or anything that doesn’t involve talking or moving around the room. Please be sure to send things with your camper that they can do. They can have iPods for music, and we ask them not to bring any handheld games or video players.  
3. Use daily free time. After our 5th activity period, we have a 45 minute Free Time. Campers can look at a white board each day to see what is available – swimming, tennis, 4-square, basketball, open crafts, hangout on the grass and more! This can be a place where kids who need extra time alone can find a hammock to read, shoot hoops solo or if they are more social, find a little extra turbo button by doing something with others. Coach your camper to use this time doing what THEY want to do.
4. Most importantly, what works for your camper? A good discussion pre-camp can go a long way.