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From: Julie Raynor
Date: 22 Oct 2011
Time: 08:22:54 -0500
Remote Name: 24.11.123.38
Thanks for your question. For me this is a difficult question to answer. Activities that happened at Camp were continuous and on-going. Campers had the opportunity to be involved in individual, small and large group therapy as well as small and large group recreational activities which were embedded throughout the day. Some of the improvements in confidence and comfort level came with the building of the camp community which occurred over time at camp. For example, on the first evening during a camp ceremony campers were given a "power necklace" to wear through out the week and were also given frequent reinforcement depending upon their individual goals, on the 3rd day of camp while we were at the high ropes course one 10 year old camper attempted to climb on the course but was overcome with a fear of heights, he came down and decided to try again about 30 minutes later. Again he came down in fear, BUT this time one of his cabin mates approached him and gave him his own "Power" necklace and stated in front of everyone that he thought it took a lot of courage and Power to try for a second time something you already knew you were afraid of. It was the many small moments like these that happened so often throughout the experience that were indicative of increases in confidence, formation of community, and assertiveness. The data collected more formally is still being analyzed by Western Michigan University faculty and should be available shortly. Thanks again for your interest in our program Julie Raynor