Season 2, Episode 17
On this episode, Allison is joined by Mariel Sass, Murph Hammer, and Brian Massey to discuss the role of summer camps in addressing mental health issues among teen campers and staff. With emotional and social health (MESH) becoming an increasingly prominent issue, this group is sharing what they're doing about it with their various professional backgrounds.
Brian and Mariel talk about implementing Mariel's specific role at their camp to provide mental/emotional support and train other staff in handling difficulties. They emphasize the importance of building strong relationships with campers, creating supportive environments for them while allowing staff to focus on their responsibilities, and proactive outreach to families before campers arrive.
If you're looking to learn more about proactive approaches to camper MESH care, this is the pod for you.
Producer EmJ's Takeaways:
- Train your frontline staff how to respond to mental health wounds like they would physical wounds.
- Parent and care-giver self-reporting is only so reliable but its a good investment and chance for them to share about a common interest: their child's wellbeing.
- Working with the staff and campers about mental health isn’t a “thing”, its a person.
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Show Notes
-
New York Times Opinion article, "This Is Not the Way to Help Depressed Teenagers"
- Stoplight Scheduling
Our Guests
Mariel Sass
Mariel Sass is a licensed clinical social worker and currently services as the Director of Mental, Emotional and Social Health (MESH) for BYM Camps. During the off seasons, she leads the Social Worker in the Library Program at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore. Outside of work, she is an avid bike rider and knitter.
Murphy Hammer
Murphy Hammer has served in many roles at many camps all across Michigan before joining Camp AGQ, campagq.org / annarborymca.org, as the Executive Director in April 2022. Before camps and in a past life, Murphy was a social worker.
When you ask Murphy for a bio, they will say, “I have a wife and a dog. And I think rubber chickens will change the world.”
Brian Massey
Brian Massey, Program Manager of BYM Camps, started attending Shiloh as a 9-year old in 1994, and then proceeded to spend 19 of the next 20 summers as either a camper or a staff member with the BYM Camps. His favorite parts of camp included: canoe trips on the Rappahannock, James, and New Rivers; hiking up Pocosin Hollow and Old Rag; building relationships in Rockbridge Country through service projects for TA; fire circle on the first night of camp; general silliness while on Pots & Pans chore at Shiloh; and driving the bus down winding country roads while campers sang songs behind him.
Before coming back to BYM, he spent a decade as an educator and urban farmer working in the schools, and with the youth and families, of Washington, DC. Committed to justice, equity, and the transformative nature of youth empowerment, Brian was a classroom teacher in the DC schools, did early childhood special education outreach for DCPS, and ran school garden, edible landscaping, and food security programs all over DC. He was the Founding Family & Community Engagement Coordinator with Bard High School Early College DC, and was the Founding Enterprise Coordinator with The Sojourner Truth Montessori Public Charter School. When he’s not working, Brian spends as much time as possible with his wife, Ellie, and their two young sons, Rye and Cypress, biking together on the trails next to the Anacostia River, and caring for the veggie beds, fruit trees, and backyard chickens at their home in Mount Rainier, MD.
Episode Info
This episode is hosted by Allison Krabill.
The Summer Camp Society Podcast is edited and produced by EmJ Juszczyk.
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