(2-minute read)
It’s that time of year again—camp season is here!
Here’s a social story I wrote for one of my students to help her prepare for camp. You’ll notice her specific challenges reflected in the red behaviors she’s working on.
Feel free to use this story as-is or modify the red and green behaviors to fit the needs of your own student.
How to Have an Awesome Summer Camp Experience
My name is Chana. I am 14 years old and finishing 8th grade. I’ll be going to camp for the first half of the summer, and I’d really like to be the kind of person whom others enjoy being around. When kids choose bunkmates, I want my friends to choose me—just like I choose them.
On days when I feel liked and cared for, I feel happy and joyful. On days when others ignore or reject me, I feel miserable. The good news is, there are things I can do to help myself have an amazing summer. The trick is to be the kind of person that others enjoy spending time with.
What can I remember to help myself be fun and pleasant to be around?
Let’s take a look at some red and green behaviors I can choose in camp:
Leaving things around the bunkhouse or on my bunkbed vs. Putting my things away
Leaving a mess vs. Being neat and clean
Losing things vs. Keeping my things where they belong
Not helping my bunkmates clean up vs. Helping to clean up
Giving excuses for my mess vs. Taking responsibility and staying organized
Procrastinating vs. Doing things right away
Telling kids to do things for me vs. Doing it myself
Saying “Kids don’t mind bringing things for me” vs. Remembering I wouldn’t want to be someone’s servant either
Threatening kids vs. Accepting “no” for an answer
Saying “So you’ll suffer!” vs. Calming myself when I feel angry
Saying mean things vs. Saying kind things
Making fun of others vs. Caring about people’s feelings
Saying “You’re getting embarrassed. You’re blushing.” vs. Staying quiet when someone feels hurt or embarrassed
Picking on someone’s vulnerable spot vs. Being respectful and gentle when someone is feeling sensitive
It often feels easier in the moment to be lazy, leave a mess, or tell others what to do. But that’s a short-term gain—and a long-term loss.
In the moment, I might be happy I didn’t have to exert energy. But in the long run, I could lose friends and end up feeling lonely. I want to do the opposite. I want to think long-term, act responsibly, and build the kind of friendships that last.
That way, I can enjoy this summer—and many more to come.
