Page:Day Camping for the Trainable and Severely Mentally Retarded (1970).djvu/22

 child and reduces parent conflict if a child proves to be adapting poorly to the camp situation.

If retardation is so mild that the individual could adjust in a camp for normal children, he should not be placed in a day camp for the retarded. After a year or two of specialized camping for the retarded, the staff may make recommendations that certain children be encouraged to attend camps for normal children. When these children are in normal camps, the staff of the former, specialized camp may be called upon for help in program planning.

Transportation of campers (and counselors, if necessary) should be planned well in advance. Car pools can be set up so that parents share the responsibility. Often church and school buses can be made available for use during day camp. Buses are ideal for transporting the total group on field trips. Service groups can be called upon to furnish cars and drivers for children who cannot get to camp in any other way. Transportation by taxi is very convenient, but for most camp programs the cost would be prohibitive.

Within a few days after camp has ended, the staff should meet to evaluate the camping experience. Such questions as these will aid the staff in evaluating the camp session:


 * 1. Were the campers happy?


 * 2. What specific gains were made by individual campers?


 * 3. Was the staff adequate in number? Was the orientation helpful? What should have been added? Omitted?


 * 4. Were facilities and equipment adequate? What additional equipment will be needed for next year's camp?


 * 5. Was the volunteer program helpful? Were there enough volunteers? Too many? Was their training adequate?


 * 6. Was the budgeting sound?


 * 7. Was the public information program adequate?


 * 8. What was the biggest "trouble spot"? What can be done about it next year?

Individual camper evaluations should be made after consulting all staff persons who have worked closely with the child. Information helpful to school personnel may be furnished by the camp, and an accurate record of each camper's experiences progress should be maintained in the day