31
LIGHT THE CAMPFIRES!
Jennifer Colombo, M.S., CCC-SLP
Owner of Therapeutic Potentials, Inc.
www.TPIKids.com
WORDS: Jennifer Colombo, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Summer is just around the corner Before you now it, parents
will be searching for activities to best occupy their children’s
brea. Many parents are interested in summer camp programs
to provide their children with opportunities to learn, explore, and most
importantly have fun.
Camps are an excellent way for children to learn many important
traits such as social sills, improve on areas of interest and strengths,
address difcult sills for a boost, develop physical strength and
agility and/or explore their creative side. Although your options
are endless, it is important to determine if the camp is a good t,
and appropriate for your child and family. The following are some
questions you may as to mae the best decision:
• What are my child’s interests? Sports, Arts, Theater, Science, etc...
• What are my child’s needs? Social, Academics, Developing
Physical Sills or Agility
• Would a camp that addresses academics such as reading and
writing benet my child in the upcoming school year? Are the
individuals running the camp adequately trained to address learning
sills? Summer is a great time to hone in on some sills that were
difcult for your child during the school year. With the right program
signicant gains can occur.
• Will the camp have accommodations to meet the individual needs
of my child? Does my child have various medical needs requiring a
nurse on staff, dietary needs, behavioral needs, etc.?
• What is the camp's emphasis? Does the camp need to focus on a
specic theme such as sports, academics, or arts? Or will my child
respond best to a camp that has a variety of activities?
• What does a typical day/wee loo lie? Does the camp have an
organized schedule that will eep my child’s interest? Will the camp's
schedule eep my child engaged and allow them to enjoy their time
spent there?
• What is the social environment of the camp? Does the camp allow
for my child to mae new friends? Are there both boys and girls?
What will the age groups be?
• What is the cost of the camp? Does the camp t into my family
budget? Is it worth the cost?
Summer camps are an excellent way for your child to unplug from
technology, and in many programs, be more active. They learn to
be more independent, gain condence, and build lifelong sills and
friendships!
/www.TPIKids.com