Customer Relations Specialist Tips
We at Camp Stella Maris are always challenging ourselves to improve, develop new programs and find innovative ways to embrace our mission statement. The Camp Consultant position was introduced for the summer of 2005. We now offer this service year-round through our Customer Relations Specialist. The purpose of the Customer Relations Specialist is to reach out to campers prior to their stay at CSM in order to develop strategies or accommodations for a positive and successful week at camp. Some of the resources provided through this position are to work with staff in gaining a better understanding of diversity and camper abilities, calling families and campers to answer questions about the camp experience, and brainstorming accommodations for campers with unique needs. Along with the help of many families, CSM is able to accommodate medical needs, socio-emotional needs and campers with minor physical disabilities.
| Please feel free to call 346-2243, ext. 104, to speak with CSM's Customer Relations Specialist for ideas about physical accommodations, strategies to manage homesickness, alternatives for food allergies or any questions that you may have about your son/daughter and their CSM experience. Read on for answers to some common questions. Parents are also encouraged to visit their local library or bookstore for resources, such as The Summer Camp Handbook by Christopher A. Thurber, PhD and Jon C. Malinowski, PhD. |  Myra Claud Customer Relations Specialist |
Campers who miss home are often worried or anxious about what is going to happen here at camp. They are also worried about sleeping away from home. We do our best to validate their feelings and see if the camper can talk about what's worrying them. We reassure them and give calming suggestions while continuing to let them know that missing home is normal. Campers can write home or talk to their counselor at any time when feeling sad or worried. Our goal is to validate and then move on.
My son/daughter has high anxiety when interacting with a new environment. How does your staff handle this?
We do our best to validate their feelings. Hopefully this begins a conversation between the camper and staff member in order to discover what the camper is truly worried about. We try to reassure campers and give calming suggestions. At times it may be necessary to redirect the conversation and in such a case, discussing the morning schedule or afternoon program can make the difference.
My son/daughter has an extremely short attention span. How does your staff handle this?
An attention need may mean that this individual attends to too many things in their environment or that they struggle to filter out internal thoughts while still focusing on their environment. In either situation a little increased support and supervision will often redirect this camper. Individuals with attention difficulties often know that "paying attention" is hard for them. As a staff, we do not need to remind them to "pay attention" as much as we need to tell them what they should be doing. We use short, positive phrasing so that the information is easier to remember.
My son/daughter does not interact well with others at a social level. How does your staff deal with this?
Social skills develop as children move through each stage of development. An individual may have difficulty making social changes and issues with maturity. Our staff supports this camper at their maturity level and is still very clear about how their actions and words are impacting the peers in their cabin. Individuals with social impairments often do not understand how they impact their environment and need adults around them to be understanding but clear about expectations. Additional time may be needed for processing and understanding by the camper.
