Sending My Child to Sleepaway Camp During Eating Disorder Recovery
Sending your child to summer camp while they are in eating disorder recovery can be a challenging decision. Your child has likely been going to the same sleepaway camp and looks forward to seeing friends there each summer and immersing themselves in the summer camp lifestyle. We want our clients to excel in life and experience things that make them happy and we want them to do these things with a recovery oriented approach. So, how do we go about this?
Assess readiness
Evaluate your child's readiness for summer camp based on their recovery progress, stability, and overall well-being. Consult with their treatment team to determine if it's the right time for them to attend camp. Most importantly, check in with your child to see how they truly feel about it from a recovery-oriented standpoint.
Assess the supportiveness of the camp
Reach out to camp staff and ask about their policies, support systems, and accommodations related to meals and body image concerns. We believe it is imperative that the camp knows that your child is
Communicate with camp staff
Openly communicate with the camp staff about your child's needs and challenges related to their eating disorder recovery. Provide them with relevant information about their treatment plan, nutrition needs, movement restrictions, and any necessary accommodations.
Maintain open communication channels
Establish regular communication channels with the camp staff. This could include scheduled check-ins, updates on your child's progress, and any concerns that may arise. Knowing that you can communicate with the camp staff can help alleviate anxiety and provide reassurance.
Maintain continuity of care
Coordinate with your child's treatment team to ensure continuity of care during their time at camp. This may involve arranging virtual or phone check-ins with their therapist or other treatment providers. Inquire about signing release of information forms for the treatment team to be in regular contact with the nurse and counselor in case necessary. Discuss a plan for post-camp support and how the transition back to regular treatment will be handled.
Trust the process
It's natural to feel anxious and concerned about your child's well-being, but it's important to trust the camp staff and your child's ability to navigate their recovery journey. Remember that summer camp can offer valuable opportunities for growth, independence, life skills and building resilience.
Always prioritize your child's well-being and recovery when making decisions about summer camp. Open communication, collaboration with treatment professionals, and a supportive camp environment can help your child have a positive experience while continuing their eating disorder recovery.
Are you interested in working with an in person or online Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in Florida or Georgia?
At Namaste Nourished we understand finding a treatment team for eating disorder recovery can feel overwhelming. We are here to make that process as smooth as possible, providing you with the proper support, guidance, nutrition education and behavior change tools to help you on a path of life that you want to experience.