The Camp Attaway Annual Report presents a detailed summary of the program's objectives along with evidence in support of the accomplishment of those objectives.

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Camp Attaway, Inc.
Annual Report
2005

One month before the 2006 Camp Attaway session was to start, Stevenís grandmother called in search of a summer program for her grandson, age 7 years, whom she described as ìangry, impulsive, and aggressive.î Grandmother had custody of Steven because his mother (her daughter-in-law) had been murdered last year, and his father was incarcerated for a probation violation. Steven had a history at age 4 of wandering away from preschool. In kindergarten his teachers recorded instances of aggression toward peers, tantrums and crying, and extensive absences from school. We accepted Steven into Camp Attaway with a scholarship, and enrolled him in a group of eight boys, who were led by four counselors. Initial observations of Stevenís behavior in Camp revealed difficulty following directions, tantrums that involved throwing himself on the floor, yelling, kicking, and threatening. He became easily irritated when he was not included in games with peers. In addition, Steven loved to participate in certain activities and as long as things were going his way. He especially enjoyed swimming, rock-climbing, music, arts, and games. Goals for Steven were generated by staff and by Steven himself. He wanted to learn to follow directions and to become a good sport. Staff goals for Steven included keeping him participating in activities rather than isolating himself and tantrumming. Staff helped him to find better ways to express his angry and sad feelings. With a lot of support and behavioral feedback Steven was able to remain with the group for the majority of the day. One strategy that was particularly effective was the use of a ìquiet chairî where Steven could ask to sit when feeling angry and from there he could watch the group of campers engaged in their activity and prepare himself emotionally to rejoin them. Steven reached a point at which he could speak to staff about his feelings of pride in being able to ìfit inî and to be accepted by peers. He appreciated staff having given him the clear message that it was OK to be himself, and that he was ìnot a burden.î Mid-way through the Camp Attaway session, Stevenís father was released from prison, and we were able to watch as father and son walked to the car after a successful day in Camp..