Summer Camps for Children with Disabilities

[Dixie]

There apparently aren't any in Saint Mary's County appropriate for my son. I called over to the recreation center and they suggested the camp that goes on weekly trips but said I would need to have one on one services for him which they would pay for. Does anyone out there know someone who has worked with children with disabilities looking for a summer job? I don't want him playing Nintendo and watching Spongebob all summer. Thanks

 

[missperky]

I don't know the age of your kid or what his disability is but have you contacted New horizons Camp?

 

[Dixie]

I don't know the age of your kid or what his disability is but have you contacted New horizons Camp?

He went there last year. I guess the age group varies from year to year but last year it was mostly little little kids. He's 15, with mild mental retardation, autistic spectrum. The state has already informed me that they would fund the position and I was thinking a college student might be ideal, especially since Saint Mary's produces a lot of teachers. If any one can recommend someone, it would be most appreciated. It pays lousy (probably) and my son will regale you with Tales from Bikini Bottom (I'm not making this appealing am I?)

 

[remaxrealtor]

He went there last year. I guess the age group varies from year to year but last year it was mostly little little kids. He's 15, with mild mental retardation, autistic spectrum. The state has already informed me that they would fund the position and I was thinking a college student might be ideal, especially since Saint Mary's produces a lot of teachers. If any one can recommend someone, it would be most appreciated. It pays lousy (probably) and my son will regale you with Tales from Bikini Bottom (I'm not making this appealing am I?)

I'm not sure how frequent the program is, but there is a Therapeutic Riding Program throught the Greenwell Foundation.
http://www.greenwellfoundation.org/Programs/therapeutic.html

 

[Dixie]

I'm not sure how frequent the program is, but there is a Therapeutic Riding Program throught the Greenwell Foundation.
http://www.greenwellfoundation.org/Programs/therapeutic.html

Scared silly of horses and I need something that keeps him out of the house all day long. This camp they recommended (name eludes me) has field trips every single day. Water Park, DC, things like that. He can handle the trips but not with kids considered to be "normal". He needs someone he can hang with. But thanks for the suggestion, that was already mentioned by parks and recs.

 

[sdm]

Contact Christi Bishop, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, with St. Mary's Recreation and Parks, 301-475-4200 ext. 1802. She should be able to help you.

 

[Dixie]

Contact Christi Bishop, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, with St. Mary's Recreation and Parks, 301-475-4200 ext. 1802. She should be able to help you.

Already talked to her. She's the one who told me my son would need one on one. I'm pretty resigned to him spending the summer in front of the tv. Did hear from Big Brothers today. He's too old to participate in the program but they may make an exception due to his mental disabilities. Got my fingers crossed. Thanks for your input.

 

[rallwine2000]

Contact Missy Alexander @ 301-884-4662. She works with children and families that have disbilities, her business is called The Parents Place. She can get you on the right track of what is available in St. Mary's.

 

[Dixie]

Contact Missy Alexander @ 301-884-4662. She works with children and families that have disbilities, her business is called The Parents Place. She can get you on the right track of what is available in St. Mary's.

Went to a training class that she gave a week or two ago and spoke to her at length afterwards. There really isn't anything in this area for kids with disabilities in my child's particular age group. Hoping to meet all the parents in my childs class soon and find out what they do with their kids all summer since they're all in the same boat. But again thanks for the recommendation.

 

[Vince]

Too bad you don't live in Calvert County. Patuxent High School has a summer school program for the handicapped kids. They don't just attend school, they work a few days at various places, school some, the beach, etc.

 

[Dixie]

Too bad you don't live in Calvert County. Patuxent High School has a summer school program for the handicapped kids. They don't just attend school, they work a few days at various places, school some, the beach, etc.

Hey Vince, haven't talked to you in a while. That sounds like an excellent program, wonder who I can badger about starting one here. How are you and yours doing?

 

[Vince]

Hey Vince, haven't talked to you in a while. That sounds like an excellent program, wonder who I can badger about starting one here. How are you and yours doing?

He's doing well. This is his last year of school. He's started a work program with the Center for Life Enrichment. You might want to try to get your son in with them or maybe the Arc of Southern Maryland. If you stay in this area, he may end up with one of those type programs after his final year of school. Don't know if you can get him in summer school with Calvert if you live in St Mary's. Call the High School, they can give you the info. Jay hasn't gone in quite a few years so I don't know how much things have changed, but you can give it a shot. 410-535-7865

 

[Dixie]

He's doing well. This is his last year of school. He's started a work program with the Center for Life Enrichment. You might want to try to get your son in with them or maybe the Arc of Southern Maryland. If you stay in this area, he may end up with one of those type programs after his final year of school. Don't know if you can get him in summer school with Calvert if you live in St Mary's. Call the High School, they can give you the info. Jay hasn't gone in quite a few years so I don't know how much things have changed, but you can give it a shot. 410-535-7865

Oh I want to badger those on this side of the bridge to see what can be done about starting a program like that over here. I've been meaning to visit the Arc and the Center just to see what goes on there anyway, may do that on my next Friday off as long as my son is in school that day. How are you making out?

 

[~dactar~]

St. Mary's does have a day camp like that one.. New Horizons... Through Parks & Rec....

 

[missperky]

St. Mary's does have a day camp like that one.. New Horizons... Through Parks & Rec....

Read up a few posts.

 

[~dactar~]

Read up a few posts.

I actually have been reading the whole post for a few days... She never mentioned which program was the one that was 'appropriate'. I worked at this camp for two years in the early 90's, and can't remember anyone being one-on-one. Thanks for you advice just the same...

 

[Dixie]

St. Mary's does have a day camp like that one.. New Horizons... Through Parks & Rec....

Thanks for your input. My son went there last year and I had a hard time getting him to go. It's a good concept but mostly younger children and lots of arts and crafts type stuff. He's not the artsy/craftsy type. In fact, if you are who I think you are, you know him all too well and I will have to figure out how to change my login from what it is to something new, as you will now know me all too well also. (resident far left liberal nut job) You're hooked in with kids w/disabilities. Do you know anyone looking for a summer job? I wanted to send him to New Adventures and they go constantly but it's all "normal" kids. He would need a one on one to hang with which would be a paid position. What happened to Cleveland Wednesday and Thursday? The Birds ran all over them.

 

[LexiGirl75]

How much parting are you willing to do with your son? I contacted Kamp AKomplish and it seems that they have a program set-up for all children. They will mail you a DVD packet for free.

 

[Dixie]

How much parting are you willing to do with your son? I contacted Kamp AKomplish and it seems that they have a program set-up for all children. They will mail you a DVD packet for free.

I've heard of them, aren't they an overnight camp? Actually it would be very healthy for both of us to part company for a week or two, I'm his best friend, I'm his worst enemy, but....he has epilepsy, his seizures are horrible if you haven't seen one before, and the postical aftermath even worse. That's what scares me, that's what won't let me let him go, that's what rules my life. However it may be worth checking out. Thank for your information, I'll keep you posted.

 

[missperky]

I actually have been reading the whole post for a few days... She never mentioned which program was the one that was 'appropriate'. I worked at this camp for two years in the early 90's, and can't remember anyone being one-on-one. Thanks for you advice just the same...

It was mentioned in the first few posts, I guess you missed it, it's all good.