Adapted Dance Camp provides summer fun for kids with disabilities

By Rob Senior

A few minutes before her performance, 11-year-old Shaelin practices turns and hand movements until she is able to complete the dance routine on her own.

"That was great, Shaelin!" exclaims the program director, Carla Zajac. "You're doing very well today!"

It's really just like any other dress rehearsal—except that Shaelin and a number of her classmates are in wheelchairs or use braces or other orthotics to help them dance. And it's all made possible by Zajac and the rest of the staff at Shining Stars Adapted Dance Camp in West Chester, PA.

Founded last year by Zajac and her husband Denny, Shining Stars is a unique collaboration of the Samantha Zajac Memorial Fund, the West Chester University Departments of Kinesiology, Theater and Dance, and the Diane Matthews School for Dance Arts, which serves as the location for this year's week-long camp.

Every afternoon, kids ages 6 to 14 come to the school to engage their love of music and dance, in spite of a variety of diagnoses ranging from cerebral palsy to spina bifida. Today is the culmination of camp—a recital to be performed in front of friends and family.

"They've challenged themselves—physically and socially—to become just like every other child in a dance camp," explained Zajac.

The Motivation

Known as Sammy to friends and family, Samantha Zajac was an energetic, joyful child who seemingly had a positive effect on everyone she met. "She was bright, cheery, and large like the sun," said her sister Lindsay, 16.

Sammy was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as an infant, but that didn't stop her from adopting the same love for dance that her sisters Lindsay and Rachel shared. Not only did Sammy enjoy dancing immensely, it also helped tremendously in building her coordination and confidence.

Tragically, in 2001 Sammy's life was suddenly cut short at the age of 8 due to a severe blood infection. In memory of her amazing, all-too-short life and spirit, the Zajac family established the Samantha Lee Zajac Memorial Fund at the Chester County Community Foundation with the mission of making a significant contribution to the lives of children with disabilities.

The Founder

Naturally, the family's—and Sammy's—love of dance provided a natural outlet for helping children with disabilities. "I wish I could say it was an original idea," admitted Carla Zajac.

The idea came from an article in the New York Times about a physical therapist who'd created a dance program for kids with disabilities. Inspiration struck almost immediately. "It was the perfect idea—and allowed us to take our philanthropic efforts to the next level," said Zajac.

With the help of West Chester University's Monica Lepore, Ed.D, CAPE, who taught Sammy for several years in adapted physical education classes, and Gretchen Studlien-Webb, professor of dance, the Zajac family put the wheels in motion, hosting a camp last year at the university. While the inaugural event only brought in four students, this year's class has tripled in size.

"The community has been tremendously supportive," Zajac added. "The camp has been publicized by physical therapists working with children in the local schools and Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE, (a part of Nemours), which was vital to boosting enrollment."

Additionally, duPont Hospital provided one of the volunteer coaches, a PTA. The coaches have played an immeasurable role in making the camp an unforgettable experience. The coaches are paired one-on-one with each dancer to provide support, motivation, and friendship.

"These kids have been working so hard," Zajac concluded. "They're really excited for today's performance—our big finale is their favorite song from High School Musical."

The Therapist

Carolyn Giles, PTA, of duPont Hospital, has been involved in dance as a student or teacher for as long as she can remember. Before her graduation this past May from Delaware Technical & Community College, she was offered an opportunity to combine her career with her passion. She didn't hesitate. "My program coordinator said he thought of me when he sent out the request for volunteers," she admitted.

Giles has taught dance for over a decade, but said it didn't really prepare her for the four days at Shining Stars. "What an amazing experience," she exclaimed. "The dancer I'm working with has multiple disabilities, but I'm more amazed by her abilities. Her gains from this camp have been remarkable."

From a therapeutic and dance perspective, Giles said she found transitioning the dancers most challenging. "Kids who typically use wheelchairs are going to need a little extra help," she reasoned. "It was a matter of deciding how to help them, while not getting in the way of their dancing."

Overall, Giles said it's hard to compare working at Shining Stars with the teaching she does for her other dance students. She's sure of one thing, though—she's excited to hopefully take on an even greater role at Shining Stars and encourages other PT professionals to do likewise.

"Be prepared to move and go outside of your comfort zone," she advised. "The kids will challenge you in ways you never thought possible."

Teacher and Student

Diane Matthews has owned and operated her own dance studio for over 25 years, but she'd never been involved with anything quite like Shining Stars.

"I first received an e-mail this past December asking if I wanted to be involved," she recalled. "Carla and I exchanged e-mails, and I came to see what a great project this could be. It's been a very exciting experience for me."

Even more important than her experience, Matthews added, has been what she's seen in each individual child as the week progressed.

"I know how dance can exhilarate people and bring them out of their shells," she said. "Watching these kids proves that dance is a great vehicle for expression."

It certainly is for 6-year-old Natalie Dell'Oso, who enters the studio with her personal coach, Lindsay Zajac. Her smile and energy gives away the fact that today's a big day. "She loves to dance," said her mother Lori.

Dell'Oso said she learned about Shining Stars through Natalie's physical therapist at duPont Hospital. She recommends the experience for all parents and children. "This is the first time she's been able to dance in an organized setting," Dell'Oso said.

The rapport between Natalie and Lindsay is immediately apparent, as the two are engrossed in conversation for several minutes. While there are certainly technical aspects to their work together—body isolation being the primary focus—the personal relationship between the two is most noticeable.

"We talk about school, dance, High School Musical—it's so much fun," said Lindsay. "I used to dance with my sister Sammy, and I see that same love for dance in Natalie."

"This experience has really opened up my eyes to a possible career in physical therapy," she continued. "The experience is very personal and you can really see the kids grow."

For her part, Natalie has a different perspective. "This isn't like therapy," explains the 6-year-old. "It's a lot more fun."

The Professor

One of the first people Zajac consulted upon the formation of her idea was Studlien-Webb, professor at West Chester University and director of the university's dance program.

"We exchanged e-mails to figure out how to make this work—whether it should be a class or a camp," said Studlien-Webb. "From that point, it's just continued evolving."

Studlien-Webb added that the camp isn't really about changing activities to suit children with disabilities—rather, it's about seeing what these kids can do with the same material you'd give any dance class. "It's a very universal design," she explained.

The teamwork between Studlien-Webb, Dr. Lepore and Zajac is the key to keeping the camp fresh. "Carla is a wonderful director—she started everything. Monica understands working with adapted physical education, and me—well, I just like to teach dance!" she laughed.

The Educator

Dr. Lepore teaches adapted physical education at West Chester University. For years, Sammy Zajac was a student in one of her Wednesday night classes.

"When Carla first developed the idea for Shining Stars, she called me," said Dr. Lepore. "She wanted to design the camp similarly to one of my classes."

In the summer of 2007, the inaugural Shining Stars camp took place at West Chester with four campers and 22 of Dr. Lepore's students serving as volunteers in a practicum forum. The camp was successful, but it was obvious there was work to be done.

"We knew this year we couldn't use West Chester's dance studio due to renovations there," said Dr. Lepore. "Furthermore, I decided I wanted volunteers who weren't doing this for credit."

So earlier in 2008, volunteers as young as 16 filled out applications with the understanding that what they were doing would be a labor of love.

One of Dr. Lepore's students, Laura Bontempo, profiled each child, got a picture and became sort of a resident expert on the campers. Using her research, Zajac and Dr. Lepore matched each camper with a volunteer coach. (Bontempo works at the camp as a volunteer herself.)

"Perhaps the one thing that made the biggest difference was Diane Matthews," said Dr. Lepore. "She matched our philosophy to a 'T.' We want these kids to be dancers, so we've stayed the course and found things that have worked. That wouldn't have been possible without Diane."

Of course, there's another person without whom the camp wouldn't have been possible—the ultimate Shining Star.

"There's no doubt that Sammy would've volunteered to help out at this camp," said Dr. Lepore. "What a great kid she was. This camp has her thumbprint all over it."

For a second, Dr. Lepore's voice catches as she remembers one of her favorite students. But she quickly composes herself. After all, the show is about to begin. n

To learn more about Shining Stars Adapted Dance Camp, contact Carla Zajac at ShiningStarsadc@aol.com

Rob Senior is senior associate editor at ADVANCE and can be reached at rsenior@advanceweb.com.