Coping with Scouts at camp can be challenging. When you add attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), challenging doesn’t even begin to describe the experience!

I would never knowingly take a Scout with ADHD to camp without first interviewing his parents regarding their experiences. Each person who has ADHD is affected differently by it; therefore, the parents can be your best guides regarding coping tips for their specific child. Provide a typical day’s schedule and ask for their advice.

It is vitally important that you are familiar with this Scout’s strengths as well as his weaknesses. His strengths can help him cope in his weak areas. If the Scout needs any accommodations while at camp, make sure to get them in writing from the parents.

Make sure you know what medications the Scout is supposed to take. Ask when they are to be taken and any other important information you might need regarding the administering of the meds. Ask what to do if a dose is forgotten. Ask about side effects. Generally ask for as much information as you would if this were medication for your child! Get the instructions in writing, perhaps on the Parental Permission Form.

Ask the parents if the Scout’s doctor has advised a vacation from taking medication. Camp is not the best place for this medication vacation to be initiated! There is an adjustment period that the Scout’s body goes through at this time and his symptoms will actually appear to worsen. It would not be fair to either the Leader or the Scout for this adjustment to take place at camp!

Plan for the trip both to and from camp. Plan to make periodic short stops where the Scouts get some exercise to break up the boredom of the trip. Depending on the age of the Scouts, it might be a good idea to take car activities, such as puzzles or games.

Once you arrive at camp, be aware that Scouts with ADHD can quickly become overwhelmed. There is so much to see, to accomplish, and to remember all at once. It is a new environment with new rules. Know what soothes your particular Scout and be sure to use that knowledge.

Remember that medication is not a cure! Medication can help with focus, concentration, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and temper tantrums. The Scouts likely need help remembering to take their medication at the correct times. Timing is vitally important. The meds may cause the Scout problems with both falling asleep and waking in the mornings.

Ensure that the Scout gets plenty of rest. Medications won’t work as well if the Scouts are over-tired.

Remember to give lots of honest, deserved praise. It is as important to reward good behavior as it is to have consequences for inappropriate behavior.

Don’t give long lists of instructions. Try to keep instructions down to three steps or less. Better yet, take laminated posters with steps listed for chores. Post those posters where everyone can benefit from them.

People who have ADHD respond well to structure. It’s best to maintain a well-structured schedule if you desire good results. Give a 5-minute warning before an activity changes. The Scout might find it helpful to have his own copy of the schedule. But be prepared with extra copies because he will most likely lose his more than once.

Always have a Plan B. Be prepared for something to go wrong, or if your Scout doesn’t find an activity as challenging as you thought he might. Try to rotate activities every 30-45 minutes to prevent boredom from setting in.

Know your resources at camp and don’t be afraid to use them! BSA camps have Commissioners who can assist you and you can use older Scouts as mentors.

Some ADHD medications affect the Scout’s appetite, and will leave him not hungry. Later in the day, when his medication has worn off, his appetite may return with a vengeance. Some ADHD medications (such as the new Strattera) require that the Scout eat large well-balanced meals.

Practice patience. You will need a lot of it. But then too, these Scouts can provide some of your most rewarding, warmest memories.

At all costs, avoid getting into an argument with a Scout who has ADHD! I can almost guarantee you will not win that argument. Choose your fights. It may be more important to you for the Scout to clean up after himself before going to a camp activity, rather than arriving on time for that activity. If that is the case, state what you want clearly, concisely, and calmly. Encourage and praise your Scout as he makes progress. Cheer him on by letting him know he is nearing completion of his task.

Do not talk down to your Scouts who have ADHD. Remember that you are trying to build their trust in you.

When instructions are important, ask the Scout to repeat back to you what you’ve just told him. If he gets it incorrect, repeat the instructions and again ask him to mirror back his understanding until he is able to restate it correctly.

Be aware that it is rare for ADHD to be "pure." In other words, someone with ADHD frequently has other accompanying conditions. Be sure you ask parents whether their child has other disAbilities.

Remember that these Scouts are simply differently-abled. They are every bit as capable as the other Scouts are, but may need accommodations to achieve as much as the other Scouts. A common need is extra time to accomplish tasks. It has been my experience that if there is an easy way and a hard way to accomplish a task, a person with ADHD will automatically choose the hard way. In fact, they often will not even be aware of the easy way! It would be a kindness to point out the easy way when you observe this happening.

Remember that every Scout is an individual. ADHD affects every individual differently. What works for one person might not work for the next person, and what works one time may not work the next. Sometimes an individual with ADHD will have to take a different path to reach the same conclusion as everyone else. But they will reach that same conclusion eventually. Trust me!

Be clear about your expectations regarding behavior and performance. Ensure that they are well aware of consequences. Then be consistent about following up with them. Expect that their ADHD impulsivity will get in the way. Most youth with ADHD follow the Ready, Fire, Aim policy and they act before they think. Then once they realize that they’ve erred, it’s too late and they know that too! Make sure that parents are aware of the expectations and consequences too.

Keep expectations reasonable. Don’t overwhelm the boys with too many rules and regulations. Remember that they are at camp to have fun also.

Never criticize or ridicule a Scout who has ADHD. Low self-esteem is one of the symptoms of ADHD. Remember that lack of control and focus are also symptoms.

Remember the old Scouting refrain, "Praise in public, admonish in private." If your ADHD Scout needs a reminder of any sort, please deliver it privately.

I hope these tips help both you and your Scouts to have the best time ever at camp this summer! With proper planning, you both should enjoy the summer camp experience.