Overnight camp can be a great opportunity for children to learn about nature as well as make friends!
Many of your fondest memories might center around a place special to countless people—summer camp. Remember the swish of the wind in your hair as you got pushed on the tire swing or how bad sloppy Joe Saturdays were? Many parents of children with special needs worry that they will miss out on those same fond memories of childhood. Luckily, there are plenty of specialized summer camps for children with special needs including autism, ADHD, cancer, hemophilia, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and more. Overnight camp may seem intimidating to you or your child, but it’s a great option for many children who will reap the benefits.
Finding Friends
Overnight camp is a great place to meet like-minded and like-abled (and differently-minded and differently-abled) friends who can understand each other on a deep level. Your child may struggle to find friends in school but find that camp is the perfect place to meet kids their age that they can relate to.
Broaden Their Horizons
Overnight camp offers a host of fun activities and events that are not accessible in your own backyard. Horseback riding, zip lining, kayaking, hiking, arts and crafts, and cooking by the campfire are all things that trained instructors can help your child experience. By getting out of their comfort zone and learning new skills, your child will gain a huge sense of accomplishment and set the stage for success when it’s time to go back to school.
Unplugging
Your child and your family, like most Americans, are suffering from being a little too connected to the world wide web (and video games, and social media, and fantasy football, and…). Overnight camp is the perfect time to grant your child a week free of constant communication and give them the silence that allows for self-discovery. By putting down the handheld video game or cell phone, your child will create bonds with other people that may not have been offered or noticed before.
Problem Solving
Overnight camp counselors are trained to help your child learn to take care of themselves and gain a sense of independence. As part of this independence, your child will have the opportunity to face problems on their own and acquire practical problem-solving skills.
The Connections Therapy Center
The Connections Therapy Center serves families of children and adolescents with disabilities and special needs. We are a team of experts in the fields of pediatric speech, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and behavioral sciences. As a team, we offer intensive hands-on therapy for children and adolescents, as well as informative and useful resources for families. If you are interested in learning more about what we can do to help your family, visit us online or give us a call at (202) 561-1110 (Washington, D.C. office) or (301) 577-4333 (Lanham office). Want to get more information on how to help your child thrive? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and Pinterest.