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About Learning Disabilities -- Choosing a Camp by Henri Aude, Executive Director, Camp Kirk |
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| Undoubtedly, this is one of the questions most often asked by parents as their child reaches the age where a camping experience becomes an option. I might add that "option" is the operative word and here is why. There are many different programs and recreational experiences available for children today, and certainly camp is one of them, but camp is not necessarily the be all and end all. So, my first recommendation would be that parents thoroughly research all of the options available to them for their child before making a final decision. Having said this, I might point out that, particularly for children with learning disabilities and those with ADD or ADHD, where socialization and low self-esteem is a concern, a camping experience may offer just the right recipe to help a child learn the skills necessary for him or her to become the best that they can be. No, camp is not a cure, but it can certainly set a child on the path to success and as parents or educators, what more can we ask for? The other important point I would like to make is, to include your child as early as possible in the process, no matter which options you are looking at. First and foremost, this is meant to benefit the child, notwithstanding the fact that moms, dads and care givers indirectly benefit as well, if you know what I mean... So make it "fun" for everyone. Once you have made the decision that camp is the desired option, then here is what you do. First, you contact the Ontario Camping Association at 416-781-0525 and ask for their camping guide which lists all of the camps accredited by the Association. Basically what the OCA accreditation process does, is give its member camps the "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval." In other words, every accredited camp has met the required standards of the Association, thereby assuring prospective campers and their families of a minimum standard of quality in every aspect of a camp's operation. |
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While you are waiting to receive the directory, you and your child
need to spend time to answer some very basic questions, e.g., What do we
want from camp? What length of time best suits our needs? Is an all
girls, all boys or co-ed setting best for our child? What type of
program and/or philosophy are we looking for?Are
there special physical, emotional or mental needs we should consider or
compare to the camp's ability to meet them? After you have received the OCA directory, you might want to do a preliminary read through and, based on your child's and your own priorities and expectations, simply go through an initial process of elimination. A checklist for choosing a camp might include the following: health and safety procedures, emergency procedures, name of director, quality of living space, quality of dining area and of food preparation, quality and balance of camp program, staff training and experience, general supervision and camper/staff ratio, ability to meet special needs, references from other parents, and accreditation from OCA or similar associations. Once you have made a short list of potential camps, then call the director of each camp and request a camper application package. continued on page 7... |
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