camp experience

[Guest guest]

At this moment the issue I'm concerned about it fresh in my mind. I'm typing to

my listen-up friends to vent and maybe get some suggestions before I go off

writing letters or phrasing things poorly to my son's camp.

My son, , is 5.5 years old. He uses a CI and hearing aid. He is going to a

half day summer camp program 8:30 - noon daily. Each week there are several

different themed programs to choose from with varying age groups, so the campers

and teachers/counselors change each week.

Several weeks before camp I sent a letter of introduction to the camp director

with some information about and tips for communicating with a child with a

hearing loss and CI. I explained where the listening challenges would be and

also detailed the precautions to take with the equipment. (water and static) In

the letter I stated I would like to set up a time when I could come by and show

them how to change batteries and answer any questions about or the

equipment. I hadn't heard anything from the director the week before camp so I

called. I had to leave a message and didn't hear back from her. I called again

a couple days later. She suggested getting with me the first day of camp right

after I dropped off. I realize people don't really " get it " when it comes

to what they need to know. She had told me that she had read through all the

information and she thought they were ready to go. I did stress gently that I

thought it was important just to go over the information when she wouldn't be

distracted or rushed, so I stopped by her office with the following day to

show her how to change batteries. I also showed her how to readjust the earhook

should it fall off and how the coil sometimes falls off. She mentioned that if

anything happened the counselor would let her know and she would take care of

it. I didn't push things at that point, but I really felt like the counselor

should be in on this education too. I left feeling it was okay to send him down

to her if there were battery issues.

The first day of camp I met the counselor briefly when I dropped him off. There

really wasn't time to start talking about concerns. I don't want to be that

overbearing mother who expects a report everyday and wants special treatment.

But I really do want to know how he's fitting in and I worry about him being

lost in the shuffle. I was pleased with the first week. seemed really

happy and adjusted well. His group that week was only about 5-6 kids. I think

he benefitted from having a small group that allowed for more one on one and the

counselor was an experienced school teacher.

This was the first day of the second week so we start over with a new theme and

new counselors. It's " pirate week " and apparently this is popular theme because

he's got about 15 kids in his group this time. My husband dropped off and

briefly chatted with the counselor but it was so busy and noisy that he really

couldn't talk much. My husband got the impression that the counselor wasn't

even briefed on having a child with hearing loss in the group which disappointed

me. I had provided all that printed info to the director so I figured she would

share that with everyone who would be working with . My husband had said

something like... I guess you know that he uses a cochlear implant and a hearing

aid so... and went on to explain some tips... and the counselor said, " No, I

didn't know. " Grrrr... This time the counselors were young people so I'm

thinking they might not be as knowlegeable about communicating with

kindergarteners.

Well today it really hit me how 's hearing loss can leave him out of the

loop. I pick him up daily in the cafeteria where he's having lunch from 12:30.

The kids are on their own at the tables and the counselors are seated at a main

table in the center of the cafeteria. I have no idea what the rules or routine

are for this period. But anyway, I picked up at the table and he told me,

" I didn't have a lunch box today. " Well yes he did. He brought one, and I

remember my husband telling me they were instructed to leave it in a cubby in

the cafeteria. So I looked along the wall and there it was. So I told

that yes, he did bring his lunchbox and that he put it in a cubby. He said,

" But I don't know where it is. " I'm just wondering why someone wasn't looking

out for him. I realize they don't have to " hold everyone's hands " but it really

bothered me that had to sit there the whole time without lunch. I don't

know why he didn't remember or know where his lunch was. I think he just isn't

familiar with the routine and doesn't know who to turn to or ask. He's only 5

years old so I'm sure he doesn't really know how to problem solve in an

unfamiliar environment. I told him that he should talk to a counselor next time

he needs something, but again I think that takes a lot of assertiveness to

approach the big table of counselors to express his concern. I will say

something to them tomorrow. I did see the director on my way out and I asked if

there was a new routine this week about where they put their lunchboxes. She

told me no and explained that they leave them in the cubbies. I told her that

didn't have lunch today because he didn't know where his was. She said,

" Oh, they told the kids to get them in their cubbies. " And it was at that point

I realized that in a noisy cafeteria with a bunch of campers buzzing around and

the counselor shouting out over the chaos as to where and when to get your

lunches, just didn't hear it. I bet he didn't even SEE it either. I just

said, " I guess he didn't hear them, " and I think she realized the problem.

Last week I picked him up on two separate occasions and he mentioned how he had

to use the bathroom and he " just kept waiting and waiting. " I asked him why he

didn't tell a counselor. He just didn't know what to do. I think he really

needs to know what the " rules " are and the expectations. He didn't know what he

was supposed to do if he needed to go to the bathroom. I also think he thinks

it's like school where he is used to a very structured day and every day is the

same routine, which includes bathroom breaks and not spending a lot of time

chatting at lunch time. I really feel bad for him during that free lunch period

because I know he can't keep up socially due to his age and the hearing

challenge.

How do I get them to look out for him without being that mom who is trying to

tell everyone what to do? I'm so apprehensive about asking for special

treatment, but at the same time I feel deserves it. He's doing great so

far and isn't complaining. I'm sure he doesn't know what he's missing. I just

want to give him as much access as I can, while at the same time letting him

learn how to manage in these challenging circumstances.

I'm thinking of writing a note to the counselor for tomorrow and including the

two page info I provided for the director. There are just too many

circumstances where I think they need to know how to deal. for instance it was

raining today... I wondered if they would have known what to do if they were

stuck in an unexpected downpour on the playground. Or what about when they go

on field trips? They had two last week and I worried about the possibility of

battery changes during that. I bet the counselor wouldn't have a clue.

K