The Day Camp Incident: Strike 2
Irresponsible. A word not to be associated with those paid to “keep eyes” on your child.
August 4, 2016 | 10:00-ish AM
This was our second week of camp. Each day after camp I would open his lunch bag to discover a smelly, uneaten sandwich - ham and cheese. It’s his favorite. Each day he would tell me that he forgot or wasn't hungry. That's seven hours without food! Absolutely not okay.
Me: "Aren't you with the group when it's time to eat lunch?”
Ash: "Yeah. But then I wanna play and don't eat.”
The next morning I find the Camp Leader and ask that they make sure that Ash has eaten his lunch. That night I opened an empty lunch bag. Hooray!
The next day, drop-off went well, pick-up did not. As I'm walking up to the recreation building, I saw Ash and two other boys playing behind the building. This particular space opens to a spacious picnic area and a busy road. I saw Camp Instructors at different stations around the park, except for behind the building. I stood back and watched, waiting to see if anyone walked around to the building to supervise them. Then I heard a whistle blow and most of the kids went running towards the front of the recreation building but not my son and his three buds. I waited a bit longer to see if anyone came around to get them or acknowledge that they're missing from the group. Nope.
Tired of waiting and feeling annoyed I walked over to the recreation building and signed Ash out for the day. We got home and I opened his lunch bag. Guess what? The ham and cheese sandwich was still there.
What I learned
Don’t be naive: Many of the Camp Instructors were teens and had adult oversight. With this being a parks and recreation program, I assumed that those hired to supervise children would be responsible individuals or at least have better training and keep eyes on every child at all times.
Document: Yes, document incidents no matter how small or trivial you think it might be. This incident was a safety issue. Anyone at the park could’ve walked up to my son and his buddies and snatched them. It’s a clear path to the street where cars park.
Self-awareness: Later that night, we explained to Ash that he needs to be seen by the Camp Instructors. If he cannot see them, they cannot see him. He must always be in front of the building and not behind it.