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It's not too early to plan for summer camp
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It's only February, and there is yet more snow in our future if you can believe the Groundhog or at least the Weather Channel. But while the trees are bare and the sky is overcast, my internal clock is telling me its time again to think about where my kids will go to summer camp. .jpg)
Holding a Giant Hissing Cockroach may be just the kind of "hands on experience" your child is looking for in an outdoor camp!
Holding a Giant Hissing Cockroach may be just the kind of "hands on experience" your child is looking for in an outdoor camp!
Photo credit Lucinda Wiebe
Since my kids are now both teenagers, that isn't as easy as it used to be. Many children's programs stop taking kids after age 12. I don't know any parent who thinks their thirteen-year-old is ready to stay home all week while they go to work. Even if they are the type of kid who can play video games for eight hours without stopping to eat or when nature calls, their parents still wouldn't LET them do that five days a week when the weather is great and there is so much fun to be had around Pittsburgh.
If you are an experienced parent you probably already have your resources lined up and are just waiting for April when most programs begin to accept registrations. Go in peace, you do not need my advice! But if you are new to the special needs world or your children require a level of care that is beyond the scope of the typical kid camp staff, you might not know where to begin.
If I had been writing this blog in January I would have been able to tell you about the All Abilities Camp Fair which was just held on February 7th at Ross Park Mall. Since you probably missed it, you can contact ABOARD, The Advisory Board on Autism and Related Disorders, for a list of camp programs that participated in that event.
You will definitely want to look over the offerings on the web sites of the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium and the Carnegie Museums. They have a large variety of topics to choose from designed for various age groups from pre-school to middle school. They generally try to accommodate children of all abilities, but they have some limitations. Contact the education program director and describe your child's needs to determine if they can be met. They may suggest that your child be accompanied by an aid if they will not have enough staff to fully include your child and ensure their safety.
There are so many camps available that I will not even attempt to list them here. Someone else has already done that work for us. One of the best and most comprehensive resources you can find is the Summer Camp Directory from The United Way of Allegheny County . The guide is a downloadable directory of summer camps that is published on their web site every spring. It is organized by type of camp, such as sports or computers or horseback riding, and includes a section on camps for children with special needs. The 2009 edition has not yet been posted, so check their site in March when it should be available online.
Three excellent special needs programs should be highlighted. The Woodlands Foundation and Variety the Children's Charity's Camp Variety each sponsor wonderful camps and the fees are very reasonable. The Woodlands offers week-long residential programs with a focus on sports, art or music and their grounds are fully accessible. CampVariety offers one week-long day camp that is actually housed at the Woodlands Foundation's facility. Camp Success is offered by The Children’s Institute for children with special needs and their siblings. The program was designed to allow siblings to attend a camp together. Camp Success is free but fills up very quickly as space is limited.
The Greater Pittsburgh Council of the Boy Scouts of America is currently in the process of establishing a district to serve people with disabilities and special needs. Click the link to read about how you can get involved to help design this exciting and important new program from the ground floor. You may also contact Carolyn M. Guzik, District Executive, at 412-325-7968 for more information or to volunteer.
In my next article I will provide a list of questions you should ask to determine if a camp is well equipped to provide a fun, safe, and developmentally appropriate environment for your child.
For more information contact Lucinda Wiebe at myexaminerblog@gmail.com.
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