Tools
The three things we're here to do.
Learn, grow, and have fun.
Introducing yourself.
The children we serve, per the mission.
Children with emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges.
When you let a child know it's okay to feel what they're feeling, you are using this strategy.
Validate children's feelings.
When you intentionally speak about a camper or their behavior to another staff member in front of them.
Over talk.
You may remind campers of this tool when they have challenges acknowledging their role in conflict.
I take responsibility for my actions.
When I tell you, "Wow, your drawing skills have improved so much since being at camp," I am practicing this key.
Giving compliments.
What we foster in children, per the mission.
Success and Growth
When you let children know how much time is remaining before their next transition, you are using this strategy.
Forecast events.
This tool is mentioned in the Fish Village chant.
We are members of a team.
You may remind campers of this tool when they are using rigid, all-or-nothing thinking.
I am flexible and open to change.
This is the kind of conversation we want all our campers to be having with each other at camp.
Give-and-Take
The three words used to describe our programs in the mission.
When you avoid arguing with a camper over a non-compliance behavior, you are using this strategy.
Don't engage in a power struggle.
This key is related to the reason we implement "wingtips" and "paddletips" at the waterfront.
Giving personal space
These are the only two tools that have the word "camp" in them.
We keep camp clean, and we make camp a safe place.
These three Starfish keys are about learning to accept various things.
Accepting "no" for an answer, accepting compliments, and accepting criticism.
What we provide to children, per the mission.
Individualized Attention
When you stand close enough to a child to quickly intervene should a need arise, you are using this strategy.
Use proximity control.
A strategy used to ensure campers know the expectations of an activity, regardless of challenges with executive functioning, language processing, or processing speed.
Provide short, simple directions with lots of reminders.
The only Starfish tool that is three words long
We help others.
The only two Starfish keys that are one word long.
Sharing and Apologizing.
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When you ask children to repeat directions back to you, you are using this strategy.
Check for understanding
The full mission of Camp Starfish
Camp Starfish fosters the success and growth of children with emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges by providing individualized attention as part of structured, nurturing, and fun group programs.