Get Info for 2021!
828.697.6313
Come Celebrate 40 Years of Talisman Camps
  • Programs
    • Program Overview
    • Ages 6-7
    • Ages 8-13
    • Ages 13-17
    • Ages 18-22
    • Camp Life/FAQs
  • Enrolled Families
    • Camp Prep
    • Camp In Touch
    • Parent Handbook
    • Map/Directions
    • Resources
    • Seminars + Webinars
    • FAQs
  • Just for Campers
    • Fun at Camp
    • A Day at Camp
    • A Photo Gallery
    • Videos and Podcasts
    • Campus Tour
  • Dates and Rates
    • 2021 Catalog
  • Staff
    • Join Our Team
    • Why work at Camp?
    • Our Staff
  • How to Apply
    • Apply Now
    • Talisman Camps Online Application
    • Scholarship App
  • COVID-19 Updates

      1. Home
      2. Tips for Sending your Child with ADHD to Summer Camp

     

    Over the last 40 years we have helped many parents find peace and even enjoyment in sending their son or daughter away to summer camp.  This may seem like a small deal to most parents but our camp is special, we only serve campers diagnosed with ADHD and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).  It is a more difficult decision to trust a camp to truly understand and know how to care for your child if they have experienced the opposite in other settings.

    From years in the field, and specifically working withkids with ADHD and autism, we offer these four tips to ease you into sending your child to camp:

    1) Anxiety is Normal – Before heading to camp every child is anxious, in fact, a lot of parents start to question whether camp is the right place for their child based off of their child’s experience of “pre-camp jitters.”  You can use this opportunity to teach them a great coping skill for managing their anxiety.  Ask them how they feel now and help them write a pros and cons list before camp as well as a list of their fears.  You can address their concerns and allow them to be heard as they head into this amazing experience, utilizing the camp admissions person to address the reality of the fears they have listed.  We encourage parents to SAVE this list so they can then go over it after their positive summer experience at camp.   Your camper may laugh at some of their fears  were and feel proud of how easily they were able to overcome them.

    2) Packing list – Who needs all this stuff?!?!- Every summer we hear from parents “Why do they need all these things?”  Some kids use 50% of what they bring for camp; others use all of it and then some. Either way, you want to make sure they are set up for success and are ready for adventure.  We developed the packing list over many years of camp.

    3) Connecting with home – For most parents, the limited communication camp presents is the first time they have gone so long without contact with their child, well, since they were born! This is natural, but also SUPER important to creating a strong, independent teenager. You can be honest and prepare your child for the experience; we often find that after the first 24-28 hours, campers forget to write home and have very little time to focus on their families.  They are there to have fun, and once they get involved in camp life, they begin to focus on making friends, having fun, and creating new adventures!  Don’t worry, we keep you updated on everything they are doing and how they are managing through calls, emails, and hundreds of great photos!  We also encourage our campers to write home often.

    4) “I’m worried my child won’t make any friends.”- In running an ADHD and autism camp, we hear this one a lot.  Parents are worried about other campers and staff not “getting” their child.  Talisman Summer Camp was built for this; we are focused on helping teach social skills to ADHD and ASD campers.  Our staff are thoroughly trained and qualified to ensure your son or daughter has a great summer. A camp focused on ADHD and ASD campers means everyone knows what is like to have social challenges back home and, in return, are more accepting and inclusive than in potentially any other environment your child has been in.

    Overall, camp can be a great experience for your camper and for you!  If you are looking at Talisman Programs, or just sending your child to a day camp for the summer, we  hope these tips help you  realize that every parent struggles with sending  their child away for the summer.

    If you have any questions about our program, please call us at 828-697-6313. If you were just looking for a little advice on how to navigate the pre-summer camp jitters, we hope this has helped.  Summer can be a great time for your child and a great time for you to get a little peace and quiet, while they make new friends and amazing memories at camp.

    Recent Posts

    • 5 Steps to Choosing the Right Summer Camp for Your Child on the Autism Spectrum
    • 9 tips for having a smooth summer vacation with a child on the spectrum
    • Summer camp and social communication for kids with autism
    • 4 Benefits of Summer Camps for Special Needs Children
    • Why summer camps work for children with ADHD
    About Us

    Talisman Programs provide exceptional summer camp opportunities for young people ages 6-22 with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, and other learning differences.

    4.9 of 5 Stars (74 Reviews) on Facebook

    Interested in Camp?

    Get Camp Info

    * indicates required




    Learn More Now

    Contact us today for more information.

    We are accredited by the American Camp Association

    ADHD Camps

     

    Aspergers Camps

     

    Autism Camps

    © 2019 Talisman Group. All Rights Reserved. 64 Gap Creek Road, Zirconia, NC 28790.