Summer camp, while lots of outdoor fun, can bring out symptoms of ADHD in funny ways. This weekend we spent in the pouring rain, at American Heritage Girls camp, with DD and a bunch of other lively, lovely girls.
3 showers later. I've heard of kids with ADHD forgetting to use soap and shampoo. DD forgot twice in a row before camp. I usually check the soap dish (for water) and her hair (for the scent of shampoo). Thankfully, she was calm about it, though she did ask to postpone the real shower for the next morning since her towel was already very wet. Note to self: If she's excited, remind her to use soap and shampoo before she gets out of the shower.
I forgot my pig! DD and I were about half an hour toward camp when we realized that she had not packed her lovey. She was in tears, insisting she would not sleep (horrors!). So we turned back and arrived rather late. Note to self: Make your own packing list next time.
Almost Flattened. DD was almost run over as she careened across the field into a dirt road, dragging her 3 buddies along with her. Unfamiliar settings equals unfamiliar safety hazards. Note to self: Review safety rules before arriving at camp.
Where's my raincoat? I did remind her to pack it after we got back home from the vet's office, but reminders get lost in the excitement. Note to self: If you don't want to be wet the whole time, make sure she packs her rain gear.
Top Bunk. All the girls wanted to sleep in the top bunks, which left the moms sleeping in the bottom bunks. Not a big deal until DD started wanting to jump from top bunk to top bunk. Note to self: Thank God for camp leaders who actually tell kids not to do this!
Sleep? I don't need to sleep! It was not as bad as I thought it would be. They did stay up incredibly late the first night, but after that, they crashed. She was a little grumpy, but she was ok. Note to self: Relax. Routines are good, but breaking out the routine is not always going to be a disaster.
Look! A squirrel! DD was on a nature hike and identified most of the items on her scavenger hunt list before we had gone 30 feet into the woods! Note to self: ADHD has its benefits.
Where's your buddy? DD has had a hard time finding friends this year at AHG. Most of the other girls see each other at church or home school co-op or a local activity through the week, but we really don't because we live about 45 minutes away (on Michigan's insane 70 mph highways). So the buddy system is challenging. She eventually found some girls (many, but not all outside of her unit) who were willing. Note to self: She can do the friendship thing. She just needs more opportunities.
Mom, what's next? Can't we do something? Camp had a full, but not overly full, schedule. But waiting doesn't come easily to anyone at age 7, let alone a person who is gifted and ADHD. We had packed a few quiet time activities, but she had read her book the first night and the rest of what she had were group activities. Note to self: Pack an activity book in the grownup bag for quiet time.
Dangerous with a weapon. We have at least 4 girls in our younger unit who probably have some form of ADHD. One didn't come to camp, and 2, including DD, ended up trying to shoot the faux bow and arrows they made during craft time--while standing on their bunks. I think this is one reason why the archery badge, and the badge involving knife safety, are not available to girls in our age range, though we certainly discussed safety after the incident! Note to self: Instruct girls in safety before engaging in any risky type of craft.
Legal Disclaimer: This is not meant in any way to be a complete manual on how to handle ADHD at summer camp. If you are a camp leader, it would be best to consult your leader's handbook, and the affected child's parents for a better idea of what issues need to be addressed and how to address them.
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