Proactively, consistently, calmly, respectfully and with compassion for the deeper reasons behind the actions we are seeing. Behavior is not something to be feared or even necessarily discouraged, especially when it is the outward expression of difficult work that children are doing to master social skills, coping skills and calming techniques. Starfish has an extensive Behavior Management Plan in which all staff are trained, so behavior is handled consistently amongst all adults on site. Staff use decoding techniques to help campers determine the reasons behind the behavior and use a process called a “WOW” (What happened, Own Up, What’s Next) to process, take responsibility, receive praise for good choices made during a not-great situation, and make amends and a future plan. This can be a casual chat with a counselor or a more in-depth process in which a child takes some time away from general activities and by working through the steps above side-by-side with staff, gradually becomes ready to rejoin the group. Starfish spends much time, energy and focus on teaching successful behavior management techniques, including 55 specific and intentional interactions/supports we call “The Starfish Strategies,” which you can read more about here. Campers are never belittled, “punished,” yelled at, hit, forced to do physical activity, or any of a long list of things that are patently unacceptable (and also, frankly, useless) in working safely and productively with children. Staff work on relationship building and proactively addressing situations that may trigger behaviors, and implementing longer-term adjustment plans to the environment or the camp day as more triggers are identified. Being proactive and reducing as many stimuli as possible help us create an environment which minimizes behavior, but also shortens its duration when it occurs.