Camp is not his thing...

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Camp is not his thing...
5
Tue, 03-25-2008 - 10:35pm


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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-23-2004
Tue, 03-25-2008 - 10:40pm
My son (9-year old Aspie) only goes to weekend Cub Scout camp, and only on family weekend when his father can be there with him.


Mollie Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 03-26-2008 - 5:09am

Poor DS. I don't know what to offer really because my 9 year old Aspie loves camping, although it was a little bit tough at first and there are things that he still struggles with (won't shower with other boys, but he isn't alone in that and I don't think any of them shower the whole weekend anyway). He gets on better at this troupe than his last one, and I think it is partly because the scout leader at this troupe knew ahead of time about his dx, and we spend a while explaining what support and accommodations he needs and they are happy to do that, whereas his last troupe he didn't have a dx so we didn't know he needed help, everyone just thought he was being difficult and could be coaxed out of his 'silly' behaviours.


I'd sit down with DS and the camp leader and have a long chat about how you can all help him. Maybe he could have a buddy or mentor to look after him and make sure he has understood the rules and procedures - I know my Aspie will just meltdown and withdraw if it gets loud and confusing and he doesn't know what is going on, but as soon as someone talks a moment to calmly explain what is happening, and what is about to happen, he is usually ok. DS also gets alternative tasks sometimes - eg he had misunderstood that he was supposed to bring his bike, so couldn't do mountain biking with the rest of them, and so he got to collect firewood with the leader instead, and he was nervous about taking part in a night-hunt because of the dark, so he got to hold the torch, etc. I also alert them that they have to watch to ensure that he doesn't wander off - if he goes into la-la land or needs to go flappy, he will just wander off and often get left behind if someone doesn't check.


I would try and find out what exactly he didn't like, and see if there are ways around those elements of it so he can still go and enjoy the overall thing. It may be the journey, or the dark, or the camp - and all of those you can 'practice' ahead of time (take him to the camp when it is quiet and show him the layout, maybe?). it may be that he needs one of you there the first night and he'd be ok after that. I'd caution against one of you going for the whole camp because, as supportive as kids are, they'll probably tease him for that and that won't help.


But you know, not liking camp is not the end of the world.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 03-27-2008 - 7:18pm

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 03-27-2008 - 7:20pm

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-23-2004
Fri, 03-28-2008 - 10:01pm
I think he did fantastic.


Mollie Photobucket