We understand the unique challenges and rewards of the camp experience. Whether you’re a camp staff member needing guidance to best support campers’ social-emotional needs, or a family preparing your child for their first sleepaway camp, our team is here to help ensure a successful and enriching experience for everyone involved. As seasoned child and adolescent psychologist and sleepaway camper and staff alumni themselves, they are well-equipped to support a wide range of needs for camps and camp families.
For Camp Staff: Training and Support for Camper Mental Health
Working with young campers is incredibly gratifying, but it can also come with difficulties – particularly as we see increasing mental health needs among children and adolescents. Our experts provide specialized training to help camp staff feel more confident and equipped to handle these situations.
Our workshops and training sessions cover:
- Preparedness for Emotional Wellbeing: Learn how to support extreme homesickness, conflict resolution, emotion regulation, and executive functioning
- Recognizing Signs of Mental Health Struggles: Learn what to watch for when campers may be struggling with anxiety, depression, or other emotional issues.
- Managing Emotional Outbursts and Behavioral Challenges: Gain tools and techniques to help calm emotional outbursts, manage disruptive behaviors, and foster a supportive environment for all campers.
- Crisis Signs and Intervention: Understand the signs that a camper may be in crisis and learn the steps to take to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
- Building a Supportive Camp Culture: Discover ways to create an inclusive, supportive camp culture that prioritizes camper wellness, helps prevent issues, and promotes positive relationships among staff and campers.
Our goal is to empower camp staff with the skills and confidence to support campers’ mental and emotional health, making camp a safe, supportive space for all.
For Camp Families: Guidance and Support for a Positive Camp Experience
For many families, camp is an exciting new adventure – and sometimes, it’s a big step! We’re here to support families and help campers prepare for a fulfilling camp experience, providing resources and individualized guidance to address any concerns or anxieties along the way.
Our services for camp families include:
- First-Time Camp Parents: We offer guidance on what to expect when your child is away at camp, how to prepare for the experience, and how to stay connected in a way that encourages independence while ensuring peace of mind.
- Camp Readiness Support for Campers: For campers who may feel anxious or uncertain, we provide one-on-one readiness sessions that help them build confidence, learn coping skills, and prepare for the social and emotional aspects of camp life.
- Crisis Management and Therapy Support: For families whose children may be at risk of mental health challenges while away from home, our therapists offer ongoing support before, during, and after camp. We work with camp staff to ensure a coordinated approach if intervention is needed and provide follow-up support to families.
Who We Are:
Lauren Feiden and Elizabeth Gellman are both licensed Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychologists practicing in New York City. They spent over a decade as campers and camp staff themselves, met at sleepaway camp, and have been friends ever since!
Given their passion and dedication to child/adolescent psychology and parenting work, combined with their love and understanding of the staff, camper, and parent experience (Elizabeth sends her son to camp!) they are the ideal duo to provide mental health training and support in the camp setting.
Why Choose Us?
Our team has extensive experience in child and adolescent mental health, behavioral management, and family support. We understand the unique setting of camp and work closely with staff and families to provide personalized, actionable guidance. We’re dedicated to helping children thrive, supporting their emotional well-being, and ensuring a positive camp experience for everyone.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact us.
