Will My Child be Okay at a Summer Camp?
With the thought of summer camp comes the recollection of cabins filled overstuffed with bunk beds, campfires, and mess hall meals with the loads of friends we met at the opening dance. Summer camp is a childhood memory for many of us, one that changed our youth, usually for the better. Such camp memories and activities still hold true today, even for children with disabilities. The inclusive classroom that takes place during the school year has now begun to carry over into the summer months at camps across the country, whether they be overnight for the whole summer, day camps or weekend camps.
Residential camps may be one setting where children can develop greater personal and social maturity, according the Ann Fullerton, et al. article entitled The Impact of Camp Programs on Children with Disabilities: Opportunities for Independence. With that thought in mind the Americans for Disabilities Act now requires all camps to make reasonable accommodations so that children with special needs can attend. But some camps surpass this requirement by a long shot.
Inclusion has become quite a popular aspect of the general education schooling and so children with disabilities, learning, behavioral or physical among some, are now being placed in classrooms with their peers with no such needs. These children are given the chance to interact and experience things they would have never done at home perhaps or in a special education school. The same goes for summer camps these children may attend between June and August. As stated in a Washington Post article, “parents of special education students have long said their children are left in the lurch once school closes for the summer.” Summer camps across the country are beginning to bring together children with and without disabilities for memorable summer experiences. “The percentage of accredited camps that have tailored service for children with physical or mental disabilities has risen from 9 percent to 13 in the past two years”, states Harriet Gamble, director of communications for the American Camping Association.
Having accredited camps that blend children with and without disabilities provides an opportunity for new friendships to form and families to attend camp together. At Kamp A-Kom-Plish in Southern Maryland is where Tiffani Sterling-Davis sent her three children. Alayna and Julian checked into camp with sister Breanna, 11, who has Down syndrome. “’I don’t have to separate them,’” said their mother. ‘”They can learn together; they can be in a diverse environment together. It’s just really exciting for me.’”
When sending their child to school parents are often not too worried about their child and the activities they may embark on during the day. Summer camp seems to be a whole other story though. For many children with disabilities, camp is a new idea that brings with it some frightening notions, for parents and children alike. The idea that we are afraid of what we don’t know or understand seems to accompany this idea of attending summer camp. At home, in the community and school district you are familiar with parents feel a sense of security knowing their child is only a few minutes away and they can be there quickly if an emergency were to arise, but that is not always the case with summer camps. Parents often feel that their children may not adjust well, or they are too far away. They enjoy the comfort of knowing their child is under their direct supervision and safe during the summer months and so why should they even toss around the idea of sending their child to summer camp?
As with school, summer camp brings with it a number of benefits for children with disabilities to experience. Whether a child attends a sleepover or day camp, a camp for a specific disability or inclusionary camp the benefits are often the same as they would be for any child. An increase in confidence and independence, activity and exercise, the opportunity to interact with other kids, positive role modeling by adults and a chance for parents to have a much deserved break! In 1997 the American Camping Association (ACA) surveyed camp directors and parents who identified the four key benefits of camping for children’s development as being (in rank order): self-confidence and self-esteem; getting along with others/teamwork; an appreciation for the outdoors/environmental concerns; and recreational skills. Camps around the country are capable of bringing out these traits in the youth that attend their camps.
Even though children with disabilities attend general education schools, at camp they are given the chance to be around other kids who are like them, something they may not always encounter during the school year. Summer camp is a great opportunity for children to meet and interact with peers who are experiencing the same obstacles in life and from that a bond can be formed between children.
Children with disabilities may often see themselves as alone at school because know one is like them or understands them but at camp children are surrounded by kids with the same lifestyle and needs. Ann Dolloff, an extension specialist for the New Hampshire 4-H Camps believes that, ‘”the greatest benefit is really going and being in supportive environments with your peers.’” “’It’s an intense experience. From that intensity comes friendship, as well as adult role modeling and relationship building. That’s true whether it’s 5 days or 40 days.’”
As many of us may recall, camp offered a heap of swimming lessons, dances, basketball games, color wars and a number of other memorable activities that allowed us to interact and enjoy our time with the other campers. The same goes for children with special needs at the camps they may attend. Christina Myers, 15, spent three weeks at a camp for kids with special needs and one week at a mainstream camp where she was the only child with a disability. Christina enjoyed all of her time at camp and became increasingly active. She started swimming, wheelchair racing, dancing and playing tennis and golf. She enjoyed these activities so much that she continued with many of them once she returned home. At camp children are always given the opportunity to face fears or participate in a new activity and here we see that Christina did both. She wasn’t used to being so active but once she got past the initial worries she was able to enjoy herself and learn new skills that carried over to her life at home. Kids who attend camp increase their social and health benefits as well.
The numerous activities offered by camps around the country make a point to have kids increase their physical well-being with both outdoor and indoor activities. Children are given the opportunity to participate in sports, arts and crafts, and other activities that not only bring about health benefits but boost social skills as well. Children learn how to cooperate and work with kids who may or may not be “just like them.” Mainstream camps although for children with disabilities to interact with kids who may not be like them. Special needs children can learn flexibility when attending mainstream camps because their daily routines are somewhat scrambled and they can receive support from their friends who may not suffer from a disability. They may get a whole new perspective on “average” kids simply from attending camp.
Many camps tend to combine learning environments with physical activities, giving children with behavioral or learning problems the chance to develop or catch up on needed skills during the summer. Many children with special needs often miss out on vital skills while in the mainstream school setting because they are too must trying to fit in or get their personal “agendas” completed for the day. Summer camps give kids the opportunity to catch up on essential skills that are vital for personal and social growth during life. Kids are faced with an abundance of situations that they must adjust to during camp weeks and these opportunities give them the chance to develop skills they might have missed out on during life at home.
Once the decision has been made that your child will be attending summer camp it is imperative that you research a number of camps and decide what it is exactly you would like your child to get out of this experience. Dolloff states, “’Parents need to determine what their child needs. Do they need to be with kids who don’t have special needs and have ‘typical’ behavior modeled? Or with they be safer in a special-needs camp?’” She says, ‘”There’s no right or wrong choice, but you need to establish what you want for your child.’” Suggestions for beginning the camp search include making several lists. Lists should include goals, main caretaking concerns, and any other lists you feel are necessary for an adequate experience, such as expenses or location. Gary Shulman, program director of Resources for Children with Special Needs, in New York City, suggests a variety of questions you should ask including:
How long are the sessions?
What’s the cost? Are scholarships available?
What’s the staffing ratio?
Do staff members have a background working with kids with disabilities? How old are the counselors and do they have any certification?
What’s the turnover? Do kids and staff come back? (“’If there isn’t a high ratio or children who return to the program, that should be a big red light,” Shulman says.)
What’s the camp’s philosophy? Does it fit with your goals for your child? Is it inclusive?
What’s the camp’s transportation system like?
Specific questions concerning your child’s needs should involve:
If physical accessibility is an issue, what’s the layout of the camp?
If your child needs a special diet, can the camp provide appropriate meals? If not, can you provide food for your child?
What kind of medical staff is available and during what hours? Can the staff administer any medications your child needs?
How does the camp staff handle behavioral problems?
Following such questions such as these will allow parents to find out if the camp’s facilities and activities are appropriate for your child’s functioning level. Make sure your child’s needs are met and you don’t compromise on the experience your child is about to embark on. It is important that your child’s needs are met to the best of the camp’s ability and if they cannot be then move onto the next camp and start your search again. Eventually both you and your child will be happy with the decision you make because of the time you took to find an appropriate camp. Once you have narrowed down your choices and discovered a few camps you believe can adequately foster your child’s needs both Shulman and Dolloff recommend visits to the camp. “’Even if it means doing your research a year before, visit the program, or at least ask if have a video,” Shulman says. Dolloff says, “’I think a site visit is imperative. You can talk to the director, visit the site, and get that comprehensive picture of where your child will be.’” She says, “’you’ll both just know if it’s right for you.’”
For example, Frost Valley YMCA and the Young Adult Institute (YAI) work together to produce a memorable camping experience for youth with special needs as many of the other camps discussed. Their mainstream program is divided into three parts, accommodating the needs and abilities of its participants. The first level of mainstreaming at camp (MAC) is a program geared for youth with development disorders between 7 and 25, with an independent village on the camp ground.
The second level is known as Bridge. Campers that are physically or socially prepared to advance are placed into a general camp village, along with added support from MAC support staff. Participants of Bridge have the advantage of fully participating in all camp activities at a mainstream level and are fully engrossed into the general camp setting.
STEP, or Supportive Training and Employment Program is the third and final level of MAC. Within the program, campers live in off-camp housing where they learn independent living skills such as taking care of one’s personal space or living with a roommate. They spend a half a day at camp and the other at supervised work sites where they can learn general trade skills. Frost Valley YMCA offers a number of various programs and the opportunity to grow independently as they grasp the concepts and ideas of each program.
Sawmill at Hamilton YMCA, located in close proximity to TCNJ offers the opportunity for children with special needs to interact with children who share commonalities. Five campers are accompanied by one counselor who has completed the necessary training for the program. Campers are involved in swimming lessons, arts and crafts, basketball and other games just as their peers without disabilities, learning or otherwise. Children are able to form relationships with peers living in their area, this allows for friendships to continue after the program is over.
As illustrated with the number of camps mentioned and Fullerton’s findings, “camps contain programmatic aspects that foster transfer of learning for children with disabilities.” If given the opportunity children with special needs, regardless of disability, should attend an accredited summer camp specializing in their needs. It is evident such experiences carry over into adult life and should therefore be an experience special needs children should embark on. Children are given the opportunity to experience more in one summer than they often do in one school year. Children should not be denied the chance to grow independently or enhance their social skills with a diverse group of individuals so summer camp should be a consideration for every child with special needs.
Works Cited
Arick, Joel, Brandon, Steve, & Fullerton, Ann. “The Impact of Camp
Programs on Children with Disabilities: Opportunities for
Independence.” U.S. Department of Education. 2000 Jan.
“Exercising with a disability: Physical activity is within your reach.”
MayoClinic.com. By Mayo Clinic Staff. 2004 Jun.
“Finding a Camp for Your Child with Special Needs.” KidsHealth.
Reviewed by Steven Bachrach, MD. 2000 Dec. www.kidshealth.org
“Mainstreaming at Camp.” Frost Valley YMCA. 2004 June.
www.frostvalley.org/programs/summer_camp/mac.htm
Mui, Ylan Q. “Camp What’s–in-Common: Charles County Unites
Children with and without Disabilities.” The Washington Post. 2004 Jul.
“Sawmill at Hamilton YMCA S.K.O.R. Summer Camp.” Brochure. By YMCA
Staff. 2004.