THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JunE 28, 2024 Page 11 Things Parents Can Do to Help Combat Summer Camp Bullying Stand for the Silent, an organization helping to stop bullying puts summer camps in the spotlight O KLAHOMA CITY– Camp is synonymous with summer for many families. Millions of children will spend time in a summer camp this year. Parents may not realize that some of them will end up being bullied while they are there. It should be all fun and games, but with bullying being the issue that it is, parents have to take action. The good news is that there are things they can do to help combat the problem. “Nobody sends their child to summer camp thinking about bullying,” says Kirk Smalley, co-founder of Stand for the Silent. “Yet, we know that many kids will be bullied there, so we have to have a plan and know what to do. The sooner we take action on this, the better off our kids will be.” According to the American Camp Association, around 26 million people attend summer camps. They also report that over half of all camps reported an increase in enrollment over the previous year. People love to attend summer camps for the fun, memories, and varied experiences. Some parents need their children to attend summer camps so they have something to do while at work and the child is out of school. Camps can be a wonderful thing until bullying enters the picture. Anytime there is a group of kids or teens brought together, the possibility of bullying is there. Camp creates an atmosphere where kids often compete for attention and popularity, among other things. Just like when they are in school, bullying situations will arise. When it does, parents and caretakers must address it immediately so that it doesn’t continue or create a hosFRAUD | FROM PAGE 10 and inducing empathy or fear, or the promise of monetary gains, companionship, or employment opportunities. Never provide to unverified people or businesses any personally identifiable information, money, checks, or gift cards. Search online for contact information (name, phone number, email, physical address) of any unknown source that reaches out to you, as well as the proposed offer. Verify the legitimacy of the business and check to see if anyone has posted information online about individuals/businesses tile camp atmosphere. Here are some things that parents can do to help combat bullying at summer camp: Choose wisely. Start by picking summer camps with a lower bullying risk than others. Speak with someone in charge to ask their stance on bullying. Choose camps with a zero-tolerance policy for bullying and a plan for dealing with it if it should arise. Raise awareness. Communities that raise awareness about bullying can help reduce its incidence. Put bullying in the spotlight in your community by having guest speakers, getting teens involved in speaking out against it, and helping people learn how to address it. Creating a positive atmosphere helps to address the problem. Be persistent. Continue the crusade of stomping out bullying in your community. Being persistent in ensuring it is a topic of discussion in the community will go a long way toward raising it in the community. People need to know what bullying looks like and what to do if they see it. Get support. When children are bullied at camp, it should be addressed right away so that it doesn’t build up. Discuss it with the camp counselor or person in charge so that it is handled immediately. Speak with the parents of the child doing the bullying so that it can be addressed at home. Get outside support, depending on the severity of the issue. Be ready to leave. If a child is being bullied at camp even after the counselor and camp staff have addressed the issue, it may be time to make a move. ConSTOP BULLYING | SEE PAGE 15 attempting to run scams. Take precautionary measures to protect your identity should a criminal gain access to your account or device. Immediately contact your financial institutions to place protections on your accounts and monitor for suspicious activity. If you or someone you know may have been a victim of elder fraud, contact your local FBI office or report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. You should include the name of the scammer/company, the dates and methods of contact and payment, where the funds were sent, and a detailed description of the interaction. J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER FACEBOOK.COM/ADVOCATE.NEWS.MA S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping
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