About 5.5 million children in the United States are being raised by a grandparent or other relative such as an aunt, uncle, or sibling. These children are often in this living arrangement because their biological parents are unable to raise them due to substance abuse, incarceration, abandonment, or death. For those of you who direct camps or work as counselors or staff members at a camp, it is important that you are aware of some of these children's special needs. The following is a list of pointers to keep in mind as you plan your camp or as you work with children in a camp setting. You can find a lot more information about kincare children on the websites at the end of this fact sheet.
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Offer Camping as a Respite to Kin-caregivers in Your Community
When working on community outreach for your camping program, offer kin-caregivers the opportunity to send their child to camp. This may involve coaxing and/or reassuring kin-caregivers who may be reluctant to let someone else take charge of the child for a week, but kin-caregivers are often in need of respite. Providing children a safe place to live for a few days in a camp environment may be extremely beneficial to the family. Because of negative life events, many children raised by grandparents need to feel connected to others who can provide emotional and material support. Research suggests a caring relationship with an adult serves as a protective factor against stress and can improve life satisfaction (Edwards & Ray, 2008; Edwards et al., 2007; Poehlmann, 2003). It is your job to reassure the kin-caregiver that the child will be safe with other caring adults.
Design Your Application Form to Gather Information Needed to Serve Children From Grand Families
- Be sure the form includes a space where grandparents can clearly indicate who is allowed to pick up the child. Since questions of guardianship are often at issue with children from grand families, it is important that you know exactly who is allowed to pick up the child. If there are legal issues involved, be sure you are aware of them. Ask to see proof of guardianship if it is available. The child may be afraid of one of his parents and might refuse to go with that parent. At times teenagers have run away rather than be forced to go with a parent that they are afraid of. Be sure you know who to call if there are problems at camp.
- Be prepared to be flexible if grandparents do not have all of the information you normally collect from biological parents (for example, insurance companies, income of parents, past illnesses, etc.) You may have to accept less information. The health record may not be complete because grandparents or other kin-caregivers are not aware of the complete health history of the child.
- Be prepared for grandparents refusing to sign a media release. Some kincare children are in foster care and are not to be photographed without permission from the child welfare department. Most foster parents will refuse to sign the media release.
- Consider offering a reduced or scholarship rate for children eligible for free or reduced priced meals during the school year. This form is to be completed by the person who is legal guardian, but often has an option for runaways or homeless children.
Children From Grand Families Need Help Adjusting to New Situations
Over their short lives, children living with relatives may have been placed in multiple formal and informal living situations. Consider these tips for helping kincare children feel physically and emotionally safe in the camping environment.
- Have on hand. some items that children normally have at camp but a child from a grand family might not. These items include soap, toothpaste, deodorant, bedding, suitcases/backpacks, hiking equipment, protective clothing, and bathing suits. The staff should talk with the kin-caregiver ahead of time to find out the needs of the child so he or she will not feel different than others.
- Work individually with these children to acquaint them with new foods, and at times, to make exceptions to eating rules to help them feel comfortable, including possible access to additional food. Abnormal hunger or other eating disorders are common among children who have been abandoned or neglected. To add to their discomfort, camp food is often different from that which they are used to at home.
- Have individuals who are trained in preventative and positive behavior management practices on staff. If you can't locate trained professionals, seek out training for your staff. Staff members should be cognizant of the issues of children who are living with relatives such as sleep disorders, behavior issues, attention seeking behaviors, acting out, not joining in, and/or depression.
Strategies for Positive Guidance
- Emphasize personal relationships so that children feel like they are an important part of your program. Research data tends to agree that no significant learning takes place without a warm-caring relationship with the adult responsible.
- Provide opportunities for physical exercise. Physical activity works well for many troubled children to promote inclusion and prosocial behavior. Non-competitive recreation is the best option to keep youth engaged, but not aggressive.
- Let the kids help set the rules. They will be more likely to follow them.
- Encourage writing and other forms of personal expression. Writing, especially in journals, helps children who are often unable to verbalize their thoughts. Interactive journaling is especially effective. Creative arts help children express what they are trying to say. Remember to always praise the effort or effect.
Resources
- Generations United: www.gu.org
- The Children’s Defense Fund: www.childrensdefense.org/childwelfare/kinship
- AARP: www.aarp.org/life/grandparents
Authors:
- Nila Cobb, MSW, West Virginia University Extension Service
- Allison Nichols, Ed.D., West Virginia University Extension Service
