Summer camp is where young people build confidence, make lifelong friends, and discover new interests. But behind every great camp experience are counselors and staff navigating everything from homesickness and friendship conflicts to big emotions and challenging behaviors.

This summer, BeWellATL is partnering with In the City Camps (ITC) to help ensure that its staff members have the tools, confidence, and support they need to create a positive experience for every camper.

The partnership reflects BeWellATL's mission of supporting young people's mental health by equipping the adults who care for them with practical, evidence-informed strategies.

"Our goal is to support the staff," said BeWellATL clinicians. "We want them to understand what age-appropriate behaviors look like, know how to respond when challenges arise, and learn how to stay grounded themselves. When caregivers feel supported, they're better able to support young people."

Preparing Staff Before Camp Begins

Before campers even arrived, BeWellATL clinicians led training sessions for In the City Camps staff. The workshops focused on recognizing common developmental behaviors, responding to difficult situations with confidence, and maintaining personal well-being throughout the busy camp season.

The counselors who participated in the training range from high school students entering ninth grade to college students and young adults, many of whom are serving as mentors and role models for younger children for the first time. The training is already making a difference.

One counselor shared, "I feel like I understand how to handle hard situations."

Another said, "I feel that I have a better understanding of how to support the campers after participating in the BeWellATL workshop."

Ongoing Support Throughout the Summer

Rather than offering a one-time training, BeWellATL remains involved throughout the camp's entire eight-week season. Twice each week, clinicians meet with camp leadership to discuss what's working well, offer guidance on emerging situations, provide positive feedback, and identify opportunities to strengthen camper support. This ongoing collaboration allows staff to ask questions in real time, reflect on experiences, and continue building skills as new situations arise.

Supporting Families, Too

The partnership extends beyond camp staff to include parents. Throughout the summer, BeWellATL offers parent workshops on the camp campus before afternoon pickup, making it convenient for families to learn more about children's mental health and emotional development.

Parents also have access to a weekly support line, where they can schedule a free 15-minute consultation with a JF&CS clinician. These conversations provide an opportunity to discuss concerns, receive guidance, and determine whether additional mental health services may be beneficial.

Building Stronger Communities Through Mental Wellness

For In the City Camps, the partnership aligns with its longstanding commitment to fostering the well-being of campers and staff alike.

"BeWellATL has been a valuable partner to ITC because their support is practical and directly connected to what happens at camp every day," said Eileen Price, Director of In the City Camps. "Their work has helped our high school, college-age, and young adult staff better understand how to be mentors, role models, and steady leaders for younger campers. They have given our team tools to think about how they show up, how they respond in challenging moments, and how they can help create a camp environment where campers feel supported, included, and cared for. That kind of support changes the way our staff lead, which directly shapes the experience our campers have every day."

By supporting both the young people attending camp and the adults guiding them, this partnership creates a stronger foundation for healthy relationships, resilience, and emotional well-being that extends far beyond the summer months. Because when we invest in the people who care for children, everyone benefits.

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