See the FUN!
See the FUN!
Smiles are just one of the blessings we get to see EVERY day of camp!!
Summer Camp
Our month-long summer camp will be held each July, Monday-Friday, 9-3. We anticipate serving 20 children & young adults in our Florence communities, age 4-18 & a special time each week for ages 19-25. We serve those who have multiple and/or severe disabilities with physical impairments, cognitive and often, visual and hearing impairments as well. Our summer camp is a place where these special individuals can laugh and sing, make arts and crafts, swim, ride horses, participate in games & sensory experiences, and challenge themselves in areas they didn't think possible.
Summer Camp
Our month-long summer camp will be held each July, Monday-Friday, 9-3. We anticipate serving 20 children & young adults in our Florence communities, age 4-18 & a special time each week for ages 19-25. We serve those who have multiple and/or severe disabilities with physical impairments, cognitive and often, visual and hearing impairments as well. Our summer camp is a place where these special individuals can laugh and sing, make arts and crafts, swim, ride horses, participate in games & sensory experiences, and challenge themselves in areas they didn't think possible.
What do we do at camp....
Campers will participate in a variety of educational activities and therapies, often disguised through games and fun that allow them to receive speech, occupational, physical, music and aqua therapy experiences throughout the day.
Aqua therapy
Motor planning, self-regulation, speech, oral motor control, strength and coordination are just a few areas that are likely to improve as a result of therapy in the water. The hydrostatic pressure of the water provides a blanket of deep pressure to the child’s largest organ: the skin.
Unique properties of the water allow children to work on developmental skills and while swimming with a group of other children who are having fun, they are working on a variety of skills: vestibular, proprioception, social interaction, motor planning, core strengthening, re-patterning of reflexes, respiration, cognitive skills and much more. This can provide the specific combination of activities that will improve motor planning while motivating social skills.
Other benefits include:
Warm water facilitates muscle relaxation and increases peripheral circulation.
Viscosity of water provides resistance for strengthing.
Warm water stimulates body awareness, balance, and trunk stability.
Play Therapy - Field Trips
Sensory activities, special visitors and weekly field trips offer the opportunity for them to be included in our community and the benefits of feeling accepted despite their limitations. Bowling & Roller Skating is a favorite activity each year that allows for the physical, recreational, and psychological benefits of spending time with their peers. Art therapy through painting and crafts allow our campers to show off their creative talents. Therapy Animals and service dogs visit us each year, which has been such a blessing and special experience for both the animals and campers.
Hippotherapy or Horse Therapy is a special treat when we visit Bethlehem Riding Stables at Tally Ho Equistrian Center in Timmonsville. Therapeutic riding, is mounted horseback riding for the purpose of contributing positively to cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of people with disabilities through the teaching of horsemanship skills.
Benefits of Therapeutic riding include:
Promoting Strength
Increasing flexibility and coordination
Boosting self-confidence and building self-esteem
Developing balance
Helping breathing and circulation
Bonding with an animal
Children who depend on public schools for services & treatment, experience a large gap during the summer where these special individuals can fall behind in all developmental areas.
Physical & Occupational & Speech Therapy
Physical therapist will work with each campers individualized needs and equipment to provide many opportunities throughout the day for strengthening and to increase range of motion and flexibility. This also provides opportunities for increased endurance and coordination.
Having a summer program to continue their learning and therapies is essential. Rather than see a lapse in areas of development during the summer, therapies offered at camp ensure that critical skills are not lost or that regression does not occur.
Recoupement time can be excessive for a special needs student to regain skills lost during an extended school break.
We have a staff of trained professionals and volunteers who will offer therapies and manage the care of our campers. Nurses are also on staff to monitor their safety, medications and physical condition at all times.
During our educational learning and therapy time each day, teachers and therapists will integrate activities that include Occupational & Speech therapy activities.
Campers Apply Here
Spots will fill up quickly, and space is LIMITED. Applications are now open!
Please kindly submit your applications by April 1st.
Please note: With the uncertainty of the COVID-19 virus, our exact plans and activities are to be determined and can change at any time. We are optimistically planning fun experiences as we are preparing for another wonderful year with our special campers…BUT, we will evaluate all areas of safety precautions as camp gets closer to make any final decisions to adjust camp as needed to remain in compliance.
Campers Apply Here
Spots will fill up quickly, and space is LIMITED. Applications are now open!
Please kindly submit your applications by April 1st.
Please note: With the uncertainty of the COVID-19 virus, our exact plans and activities are to be determined and can change at any time. We are optimistically planning fun experiences as we are preparing for another wonderful year with our special campers…BUT, we will evaluate all areas of safety precautions as camp gets closer to make any final decisions to adjust camp as needed to remain in compliance.
Camp will be held during July, from 9am-3pm at St. John’s Church in Florence, SC. Applications are due by April 1st . (A Special Note: CAMP 2021 is a HYBRID model with 2 different 2-week sessions to accommodate COVID safety precautions. Some age limits have been waived) Ages are from 4-18 for our younger children for daily M-F camp and ages 19-25 for our young adults to visit for a special time each week and attend Field Trips. REGISTRATION typically opens each year in March. Additionally evaluations will be held in May. Camp will be limited to 20 campers which is based on the space our facility allows us. Applications will be on a 1st come, 1st serve basis.
A registration fee will be required by each camper to attend camp in July. This will be discussed in evaluations which will be held in May. All campers and/or a family member MUST attend AT LEAST TWO fundraisers per year in order to attend camp.
Our Sponsors
Our Sponsors
