Email from Camp Social Worker for the West Virginia
Camp #233
Dear Linda:
Prior to coming to Radford University, I worked with emotionally
dysregulated children for years in various settings: Department of Social
Services, Residential Care, Court Services (Juvenile Probation), and Family
Service. In the week that I was at camp, I did not witness any aggressive
behavior between the children, I did not see or hear another child yell or
raise his/her voice toward another child, and did not see another child push,
hit or bully another child.
That is pretty remarkable—hard to imagine based on my past experiences…
So what was special about camp?
How could a camp staffed by
paraprofessionals provide such a healing and safe environment when I have
worked in residential settings with professional staff?
I believe that RFKC has created a structure
that invites and supports safety and healing.
The training was very helpful and the
design of the camp is well conceived and structured, and when staffed with
loving people who share a vision of God’s love, then you have a recipe for
success.
My experience was remarkable and meaningful, and my respect for
Johnda, the leadership team and the staff of the Huntington camp is high.
I hope my comments are helpful to you.
Sincerely,
Wally Scott
(edited for length, no
content was changed)
