Camp Royall
The Training that Creates the Best Counselors
We just finished another wonderful summer at Camp Royall. Over the past few months, we served more than 200 overnight campers. It was our second summer of serving a smaller group of campers due to the pandemic, but we still felt the same level of excitement and energy. So many people work hard to make camp a reality, including facility staff, lifeguards, activity directors, and counselors. Just as we enjoy seeing campers grow over the years, we also enjoy seeing the professional development of our staff as they return summer after summer. For many people, working as a counselor at Camp Royall is the first step in a rich and rewarding career helping others.
Staffers also hear from panels of self-advocates and parents, who share what Camp Royall means for them and their families.
People interested in working as counselors at Camp Royall are not required to have any knowledge of or experience with autism; the most important things for potential staff members are the right attitude, a willingness to learn, and a lot of enthusiasm. Once staffers are hired, they complete an on-site intensive professional training lasting more than a week to learn how to provide the one-on-one support that makes Camp Royall so successful.
Ensuring camper safety is a huge part of the training. Staff lead safe space training so that counselors learn how to create safe spaces for all, regardless of race, gender, orientation, or ability. Counselors are then trained on all of Camp Royall’s programs and activities, including the horse program, the zap line, boating, the sensory room, and arts and crafts. They learn how to ensure the safety of their camper during each activity as well as how to provide encouragement and build on skills during these activities. There are also sessions on water safety, fire safety, and first aid. For the past two summers, staff have also received extensive training on safety protocols related to COVID-19.
Our custom training includes presentations on autism, preventing challenging behaviors, communication strategies, and personal care for campers from senior camp leadership, ASNC’s Clinical Department, and an occupational therapist.
In addition to these instructional sessions, counselors spend several hours each day observing and assisting an experienced staff member with a camper. The counselors then meet in small groups to debrief on what they observed and learned.
12 • The Spectrum, Summer 2021
