Learning disabilities and camp
When choosing a summer-camp program for a
child with learning disabilities, the most important
question to is, “will they understand and
take good care of my child?” This can be answered by
lengthy conversations with camp personnel or the director.
If a camp is too busy to return your phone calls,
or take the time to talk at length with you, will it be too
busy for your child as well?
Regardless of all that a camp may have to offer, if the
director or the staff are too busy for you now, it should
be a red fl ag! Find a camp that will give you and your
child the time and attention that you both deserve.
Consider these factors when determining what
camp program will best fi t the needs of your child:
Type of program
Decide early in the process what type of program
you want for your child. Camps are offered as day
programs (campers go home at night) and residential
programs (campers board at the camp facility for the
length of their stay).
Length of programs vary from as short as a few days
to several weeks. Be certain that your child is ready to
cope with the length of the program you select.
Camp programs are available in both same-sex formats
and co-ed. Consider your child’s social skills level
and ability to cope with the demands of mixed-sex social
situations when deciding which of these environments
would be best.
Program philosophy should be clearly stated in the
camp literature. Your family should be comfortable
with this philosophy and confi dent that it will deliver
an enjoyable experience for your child.
Of particular importance is the camp’s policy regarding
family communication with the child. Will
the child be expected, in fact encouraged, to write to
her family during the camp stay? Will phone calls to
and from home be allowed? Children with learning
disabilities often have differing needs for family contact
and you should be certain that the camp policy
will not confl ict with those needs
Type of camp
There are many choices! Your child can be mainstreamed
into a regular camp setting, or be at a camp
that focuses on her particular needs. There are also
camps that mix up the needs, such as learning disabled,
emotionally disabled, and physically disabled.
And then there are camps that truly specialize. You’ll
need to decide which type of environment will best address
your child’s needs.
Size
What are you ideally looking for? Camps range in
size from 500 or more children per session to as small
as 30 to 35 per session. It is purely a personal decision
for each family. Make a point of asking the camp director
for information about the number of campers in
the program.
Educational or recreational?
Many camps for learning-disabled children are
purely recreational, while other programs combine
both recreational and educational activities. Some
programs, while calling themselves “camp,” have a
strong instructional focus. Inquire about the percentage
of camp time devoted to varying activities and
decide what mix will best serve your child’s specifi c
needs.
Location and facilities
Choose the type of setting that you think your child
will enjoy. The eastern half of the country has many
beautiful lake-front and forest locations. Many camps
are schools that convert to camp or summer school during
the summer months. There are fewer camps in the
west, but the west offers a completely different experience
because of the Rocky Mountains and the distinctive
western culture. Some camps are very luxurious
and others are true camping experiences. Ask about
eating, sleeping, and bathing facilities and be sure that
your child will feel comfortable in the particular setting
offered by the camp.
Staff
The American Camping Association requires one
counselor for each eight children. When dealing with
learning-disabled children, a ratio of one to four is preferred.
When deciding on camps for a child with learning disabilities,
it is important to determine if the teachers or counselors
are educated, certifi ed, and trained to work with children
with such disabilities.
Questions to ask about day camp
COURIER L 36 IFE, FEB. 22–28, 2019 M BR B G
For residential programs, be sure to determine
the level of staff supervision in the evening hours. You
want your child to receive the attention she needs in
the camp environment. In addition, it is important to
determine if the teachers or counselors are educated,
certifi ed, and trained to work with children with
learning disabilities.
In addition, determine the level of medical training
the staff has received. If your child takes regular medication,
will trained staff be on duty each day to administer
the medication?
Summer camp should focus on enhancing your
child’s self-esteem and independence. The successful
camp experience should improve social skills and provide
quality peer relationships.
CAMP GUIDE
If overnight camp is not the right
choice for your youngster, or if
your child is younger than 7, look
into the many summer day-camp programs
available. They can even prepare
your child for overnight camp.
Some points to consider when
choosing a day camp:
Training: Is the staff trained
in safety, supervision, counseling,
problem solving, and other issues
important to working with young
children?
Cost: Is the price all-inclusive, or
do extra charges apply for transportation,
horseback riding, food service,
group pictures, T-shirts, and
other items?
Transportation: If transportation
is offered, do you live near a
pick-up spot?
Extended care: If before and after
care is offered to accommodate
working parents, who is with the
children and what activities take
place?
Lunch: Is lunch served, or do
campers bring their own?
Swimming: If swimming is offered,
are lessons included, or is
swimming only recreational?
Supervision: Does one counselor
stay with a group all day? Or are
campers free to roam from one activity
to another? If so, who supervises
children in the interim?
Visits: Are parents allowed to
drop by for visits?
If your child is younger than 7, look into the many summer day-camp programs available.