Exploration of Mental Health Training in Summer Camp Settings
Presentation
Overview
Overview
Description
Gaining recognition as vitally important in summer camp staff training is mental health. Camp directors are noticing that both staff and campers are battling a variety of mental health conditions which can create a volatile camp environment. The most common conditions evident in the camp environment are anxiety disorders, mood disorders (including depression and bipolar disorders), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and eating disorders. As numbers climb escalate, and awareness increases, it becomes vital that camp professionals examine their role in responding to and supporting both participants and employees. For camp directors and trainers, identifying the best methods to develop and deliver camper mental health training may be increasingly overwhelming. This study examined how summer camps are training staff in responding to mental health symptoms of campers in various forms of emotional stress. Further, we investigated which training methods staff identified as most effective. Further findings and their implications for research and practitioners will be discussed. The more we know about camp staff trainings the better we can support the physical and psychological safety and flourishing of our summer camp participants, staff, and broader organization.
