Page 15 - Tampa YMCA Summer Camp Staff Resource Guide

CAMPER BEHAVIOR
One of the greatest strengths at the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA are the diverse communities we serve. Our campers are as diverse as the communities they live in. Every camper brings to camp a unique set of strengths and abilities that that we recognize and celebrate. Our goal at summer camp is to impact every camper by providing inclusive experiences that create lifelong memories in an environment that awakens the imagination, inspires dreams, and provides a sense of achievement and belonging.
At the Tampa YMCA we regard behavior as a process of learning for both the camper and the staff member. Building positive relationships with your campers will promote trust and an easier means to redirect campers. It is important to recognize that we need to praise and reward positive behavior as well as redirect negative behaviors, consistently. A good rule of thumb is that if you spend 80 percent of your time focusing on positive behavior that your amount of time redirecting children exhibiting challenging behaviors will decrease.
BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT
When assessing behavior in a child we need to consider ourselves first before we react. Assess the individual camper and their current environment, the behavior, and then we make a redirection.
If a child’s behavior is social and not putting themselves or other campers in danger or at risk, our first task is to redirect the child. Redirection is defined as a proactive strategy used to address challenging behavior (something that interferes with engagement in a pro-social interaction) BEFORE it escalates or continues. Redirection:
• allows the staff member to guide campers to engage in alternative behaviors that are more acceptable.
• consists of simple cues that staff members can easily use
• stopes a camper from engaging in a challenging behavior before it escalates
• re-engages the camper with appropriate activities
DIVERSE ABILITIES
The Tampa YMCA puts priority on welcoming all and ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, age, or background can thrive. Each camper and staff member is unique. Diverse abilities refer to physical, cognitive, developmental, or neurological differences.
Our Day Camps at the Tampa YMCA are committed to making reasonable accommodations for campers with behavioral or educational needs. Any family inquiring about Tampa YMCA Day Camps are educated on the facility and that their child’s safety and ability to thrive is at the forefront of our priorities.
Adaptive camps are held at our North Brandon YMCA in Seffner and our Bob Sierra Youth and Family Center in Tampa.
TAMPA METROPOLITAN AREA YMCA | SUMMER CAMP STAFF RESOURCE GUIDE 15