Summer camps have special focus for children with disabilities

By Lauren Himiak

Did you go to a summer camp as a child? If you did, you probably have a few favorite memories. Sitting around a bonfire with your friends? Or perhaps swimming in the lake that just never seemed to warm up. Did you manage to carve your name into your bunk bed, somewhere between "Patty '72" and "Tom + Meg 4ever?"

There is something you just can't put your finger on when it comes to summer camp. Maybe it's the excitement with sides of anxiety when you watch your parents drive away leaving you surrounded by new faces. It could be the smell of those old wood cabins hiding spiders and secret doors to let you sneak off with friends after curfew. Whatever it is, it's hard to imagine summer without camp.

But what if you couldn't enjoy activities like other children? What if you require special medical attention? As a parent, it's difficult to raise disabled children in a normal environment where they can feel just like everyone else. Luckily, there are many camps across the United States that allow these children the same fun and excitement as everyone else.

Something For Everyone

No matter what disability or chronic illness a child may have, it is possible to find a summer camp they can enjoy. There are camps with wheelchair accessibility, specialized programs, medical professionals on staff, and other features to allow kids an out-of-hospital summer experience.

The Rehabilitation Department at The Children's Hospital in Denver, CO, is one place that offers children a unique continuum of care through summer programs. There are four programs to choose from, each designed for specific needs.

Camp Little Tree was created for children with sensory integration dysfunction along with learning and/or attention deficits. Camp Zenith is a summer program for children with traumatic brain injuries. Children who have tracheostomoies or are dependent on ventilators can enjoy Camp Inspiration. And those with burn injuries can visit Burn Camp.

"It is so rewarding when campers report that for the first time they were surrounded by other kids who understand what they are going through," said Wendy Larsen, BS, MHS, activity coordinator at The Children's Hospital. "Parents especially see this as a tremendous benefit of the experience."

Larsen coordinates the administrative aspects of two summer camp programs, Camp Zenith and Camp Little Tree. Both camps are located at the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) in Breckenridge, CO, and close to the Breckenridge Ski Resort and Lake Dillon. The BOEC is open year-round for recreational programming, but the camp programs use the facility between June and August every summer.

Camps Zenith and Little Tree allow children between the ages of eight and 18 to stay independent from families and caregivers for five days and four nights. Both were created for a specific audience. For example, children who want to attend Camp Zenith must be able to safely participate in a group situation in an outdoor environment.

"Campers participate in activities such as rock climbing, canoeing, a ropes course, fishing, hiking, cooking out and journaling," Larsen stated. "We want to provide a successful social experience that encourages positive interaction with peers and the ability to try new outdoor activities, which can increase a sense of competence and mastery."

Professionals from The Children's Hospital work at the summer programs and include physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech/language therapists and nursing staff. Some camps include outdoor educators and each requires a certain number of staff to be with children at all times.

Camps Zenith and Little Tree are just two examples of the recreational and medically-attentive camps parents can find for their children.

A Coast Away

Heading to the East coast, you will find Camp Chatterbox, an overnight camp for children who are severely speech impaired or are completely unable to speak as a result of cerebral palsy or other developmental disabilities.

Children's Specialized Hospital, in Mountainside, NJ, offers this unique weeklong program, usually in August, for boys and girls from age five to 15. Family members join the campers, who learn how to improve their skills on computerized augmentative and alternate communication (AAC) devices.

"AAC is a technology that allows children to express themselves, but requires practice and patience to master," stated Rebecca Mazzarella, media relations coordinator at Children's Specialized Hospital.

During a typical day, a camper will be involved in approximately five hours of therapeutic activities conducted in small group sessions. Camp Chatterbox includes a range of educational and recreational activities such as swimming, hiking, campfires and a talent show.

"Parents attend daily training sessions and they are expected to participate in camp activities to learn with their child," Mazzarella noted. "They can also benefit from the opportunity to network with other parents who share similar experiences and concerns."

"Many parents want their children to speak," said Joan Bruno, PhD, CCC-SLP, director of educational technology at Children's Specialized Hospital and the creator of Camp Chatterbox. "They should not lose sight of that goal, but it may not be feasible in light of their child's disability. Parents must keep in mind that just as there are critical times in a child's life in terms of language development, there are also critical times of development in AAC. There is a limited window of opportunity and it's critical that we reach children early."

Children's Specialized Hospital also offers Camp Open Arms, a summer camp that provides constraint induced movement therapy (CIT). This is an intensive treatment for children with limited use of one upper extremity due to hemiplegia, the paralysis of one side of the body resulting from disease or injury to the motor centers of the brain.

The camp uses constraint therapy by placing a removable cast on the child's unaffected arm. This forces the child to use his or her affected arm to improve functioning of the arm and increase the ability to use both arms together more productively. Camp Open Arms runs every summer, Monday through Friday, and is located at Children's Specialized Hospital. Psychologists work daily with the children on self-esteem issues and frustration tolerance. A weekly support group is also available for parents at the end of each week.

"We can have a tremendous impact on the quality of life these children can enjoy," Dr. Bruno stated.

Worth Every Cent

Just by searching the Internet, one can find summer camps for children with autism, cerebral palsy, multiple dystrophy, developmental disabilities, and thousands of other special needs. With so many to choose from, it's important to do your research and find out exactly what each camp offers and how much they cost.

Many camps require families to pay the entire cost, but some have financial aid available.

"Camp Zenith and Camp Little Tree currently cost $625 for a five-day session," stated Larsen. "Families pay what they are able to, and scholarships are offered to defer any fees that families cannot pay. An overall camp fund has been established through fund-raising efforts and donations to support both Zenith and Little Tree."

Recently, a Brain Injury Trust was established in the state of Colorado–funded primarily by DUI convictions — that allows families of children who have traumatic brain injuries to apply for help with expenses for programs.

Some public camps have funding available through the government and school systems while other private camps require families to pay the full cost.

Summer Fun

Because camps fill up so quickly, it is wise for parents to begin research as early as possible. Some camps may also have a waiting list as many need to meet a certain staff to child ratio.

Children with disabilities do not have to miss out on the joys of summertime. Camp can provide an opportunity to increase values of acceptance, self-esteem and teamwork, while giving children a safe environment to receive the medical or therapy care they require.

"It can be the stepping stone they need to experience successful interaction," added Dr. Bruno.

Lauren Himiak is assistant editor at ADVANCE. She can be reached at lhimiak@merion.com