Summer Camp Programs and Services

Summer camp is a time for making new friends, learning new skills, and seeking new experiences. For many young people, these experiences include first use of alcohol and other drugs. Given the threat posed by such use to the life of a camper and the reputation of a camp, FCD has developed a number of programs and services to help camp administrators keep their campers healthy and safe.

Substance Abuse Prevention Planning and Policy Consultation
Few camps have cohesive plans to prepare for, and respond to, actual or suspected use of illegal and/or illicit substances by staff and campers. The absence of a broad-based prevention plan can lead to higher levels of use, creating an unsafe environment that places campers at risk and leaves the camp open to criticism or legal action in the event of an unfortunate incident.

FCD's prevention specialists can work with camp administrators to develop prevention programs, policies, and procedures that will help to create a healthy environment for summer fun and learning.

Staff, Counselor, and Counselor-in-Training Education
The creation and maintenance of an alcohol- and other drug-free camp community depends on the leadership and role modeling of camp administrators, staff, and counselors. These are the people to whom campers look for guidance and example. Those in leadership roles must examine their own attitudes, expectations, and interactions with campers. They need to understand and enforce camp policies and rules and participate fully in the camp's overall plan for a healthy community.

FCD has developed a number of workshops designed to help administrators, staff, and counselors understand the risks and realities of substance abuse, recognize early warning signs of trouble, talk with young people about drug-related issues, and respond to incidents of use.

Intervention Training For Staff, Counselors, and Counselors-in-Training
Early intervention is the best way to maintain a healthy camp environment. With proper training, staff and counselors can learn simple, effective strategies for identifying and intervening on unhealthy behaviors. FCD intervention training workshops promote health, save lives, and empower adults and teens with the tools and knowledge they need to help someone in trouble with alcohol or other drugs.

Interactive Group Discussions for Campers
Many FCD teachers have a deep understanding of the summer camp world, not only from having been campers themselves, but from having worked as administrators, staff, and/or counselors in a variety of camps. FCD instructors can lead entertaining, informative, and inspiring discussions to support non-use, motivate campers to look after one another's well being, and minimize risk-taking by teens who may be contemplating, or already involved in unhealthy behaviors.