Get Set for Summer!
For many kids, the end of the school year and beginning of summer is an exciting time! But for children that have difficulty tolerating changes to their routine, it can also be a stressful time. School provides a structure and routine that is predictable and comfortable, while summer can be full of spontaneity and free time, which can be a difficult thing to adjust to. For some families, finding a way to add structure and predictability to the day-to-day happenings of summer is a good way to keep everyone calm and happy.
For some, having a schedule of the day, week, or month is enough to add an element of predictability. Visual schedules can add more predictability for young children to be able to see what to expect throughout the day or week. Social stories and verbal scripts can be helpful when preparing for something new or different that may cause anxiety, like a vacation, daytrip, or having family come to visit.
Summer camps and day programs are a great way to add structure, while providing educational, social, and leisure opportunities. Below are a few camps and programs that are available in this area this summer:
Camps Specifically for Children with Special Needs:
- T.E.K. Quest is a half-day camp designed to expose children and parents to different technologies available to help overcome obstacles faced in everyday life. http://www.tekquest.org/
- Challenge Camp at Island Rec is designed for children with special needs. Continued development of motor, social and cognitive skills throughout the summer. This camp is integrated into our all day summer camp program. An All Day camp is also offered through Island Rec. http://www.islandreccenter.org/challenge-camp/
- Camp Treasure Chest serves between 25 and 30 children under the age of 21 each summer. It provides those children who cannot fit into any other camp situation a chance to have a camp experience. http://www.ablefoundationbc.org/special-projects.html
Affordable Day Camp Options
- The YMCA offers day camps for kids age 3 – 15 at the facility in Port Royal and off-site day camps at several locations in Beaufort and Jasper Counties. Financial Assistance is also available. http://www.ymcabeaufortcounty.com/child-care/summer-camp/
- The Summer Learning Academy (SLA) at Love House Learning Academy will introduce creative ideas of learning all while having fun. The goal of SLA is to provide school aged children with continual learning during the summer to prevent learning loss. http://lovehouseacademy.com/programs/summer-learning-academy/
Additional Camps in the Area
- E=MC2 Beaufort Summer Camp is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Curriculum Program that will bring love and understanding of science to each child that attends the program. The grade level range from 1st grade to 6th grade. http://www.emc2camp.com/
- Summer Camp at the Sand Box. http://www.thesandbox.org/summer-camp
- Numerous art-based camps at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. http://www.artshhi.com/workshops
- iTEAMS – Xtreme: Explore computer science, technology and entrepreneurship at this four day summer camp sponsored through the Governor's School for Science and Math https://www.scgssm.org/outreach-camps/iteams-xtreme-next-generation
- More camps offered through the Beaufort County School District: http://www.beaufort.k12.sc.us/pages/BCSD/Parents___Students/Summer_Camps_2016
Author: Krista Flack, MS OTR/L
