Camp Completed

The Critter completed camp on Friday, and we hit the road back to NC.
This camp, Landmark College ELO-STEM for middle schoolers, definitely goes in the Good Camp pile, maybe even the first in a GREAT camp pile, and yet, I can't feel quite satisfied and content to leave it there....
The hydra-headed WHY????? always rears its head, even when things go really well for us SpEd parents.  WHY was this camp different?  WHY was The Critter able to self-regulate without issue at this camp? WHY was The Critter able to relate to the kids? WHY was The Critter able to identify early on which kids he would "hang" with and which ones he wouldn't?  WHY is/has this experience so different than other group experiences?
Then, of course, the plethora of possible answers:

• He's more mature
• The other kids are more similar
• The entire group is more accepting and therefore safer
• His meds are just right
• It was just he and I so the routine was VERY consistent and not a group dynamic
• No school so few demands
• No writing, by hand or otherwise, so no gap between output ability and knowledge due to the dysgraphia
• HIGHLY trained staff who read subtle signs and head them off early
• Few demands to "school" in a traditional way
• The Critter felt safe from the start because of the camp intent and was more relaxed, trusting that it would be a good experience.
• Highly trained staff are not thrown off by odd behaviors, sensory issues, etc.

Finally, the HOW do we incorporate this good experience into the next school year?  This, I have no answer for.  I even had to walk away from this post to the blog for a few days because I have an intolerance for cognitive walls. I have NO idea how to ensure that this high level of regulation, confidence, self-care continues once school starts at the end of the month. Fortunately, I know that what we have in place through the IEP and his case manager does work, even if the learning curve for the new teachers is high. Even if THIS kid is likely to be the MOST CHALLENGING kid of their entire career. Even if this kid will break or make their year, depending on whether they can accept what is, be flexible and creative, collaborative problem solvers.
So, while that cognitive wall of how to magically transport this experience to the grind and loaded environment of school is still there, I know that I am not alone in being frustrated by it. I know that it is not my wall to break down - at least not today.  That is the crux of maple syrup parenting (I'll attach that early thought from several years ago later today) when you don't know if you are going to have to slog through or slip by too fast.