The Center for Physical Disabilities offers several summer camps tailored to children with different needs.
Two of the camps are taking place this week.
This is a place where there is something for everyone.
Like the kids who attend Camp Get Centered to see what happens when you mix Mentos with Diet Coke, physical disabilities don’t stop people from trying new things.
“We tailor everything to each camper’s needs individually,” one staff member said.
While campers are having fun experimenting outside, kids are competing indoors for gold, silver and bronze medals at the Let the Games Begin camp.
Diana Emerson organized a week-long Olympic themed camp for children who are deaf, hard of hearing and hearing-impaired adults.
“Many deaf children, especially those who rely on sign language, may be in classes at school where they can communicate, but when they go home for the summer often don’t have friends in the area that they can communicate with adequately, so we wanted to provide something for them,” Emerson said.
That’s why Richelle Crosslin has been taking her son, Reece, to summer camp for four years now: She looks forward to it every year, because it allows her to learn more about resources to support her family.
“As a parent, I’ve had to learn how to navigate this journey of raising a deaf child alone. There aren’t many people who can help us. So as a parent, I want to get involved so we can meet other parents and learn from each other,” she said.
Campers are trying new things, building friendships and increasing their self-confidence.
“I think it helps build their confidence by meeting other kids and realizing they’re not alone, because oftentimes they’ve been through similar experiences before coming to camp,” Emerson said.
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