Thursday, September 3, 2015

Email from Social Worker about WV camp

Email from Camp Social Worker for the West Virginia Camp #233
From: Scott, William [mailto:wscott@RADFORD.EDU] 
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2015 2:00 PM
To: Linda Chenot


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)

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