Summer Camps For Children With Cerebral Palsy and Other Special Needs- Part Two

Here at Tyrone Law Firm, we do everything we can to help families who have children with special needs.  In fact we have dedicated members of our staff who have had to navigate a path for their own children. If you are a parent with a child with Cerebral Palsy or hypoxic brain injury, we hope these posts will bring new resources for you, your child, and your family:

Children with disabilities often miss out on camps and fun activities due to their medical needs. Not all camps are equipped with nurses and staff that understands and is trained to properly care for children with special needs, like Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy. Summer camps for children with special needs are great for individual growth and independence.

FOCUS, has two summer camps, Camp Hollywood and Camp Team, that are dedicated to children with special needs and their siblings. They provide the care that every child needs, while allowing them to have the fun that they want. They offer scholarships to families who may need them. Both summer camps through FOCUS are day camps and do not provide transportation. Campers do not have to be toilet trained to attend either camp. There are nurses on site to help with medication, toileting and feeding if needed.

Camp Hollywood, has 10 weeks of summer camp at various locations each year. Locations for 2016 are: Acworth, Alpharetta, Buckhead, Chamblee, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Mariette, McDonough, and Peachtree City. All 10 weeks are a drop off day camp with the hours of 10-3 Monday through Thursday and 10-2 of Fridays. This camp serves children with disabilities and their siblings, ages 5-21. At Camp Hollywood, children get the opportunity to feel like stars. Through hands- on learning, campers make new friends and learn cooperative skills. Campers can participate in “arts and crafts, cooks with books, science & cinema, recreation and music by music therapists.”

Camp Team, is a 4 day summer camp, at Mercer University, from May 31st to June 2rd, 2016. Camp TEAM offers a sensory experience in an outdoor environment for children ages 7 to 13 years old. Parents should keep in mind that Camp Team is an outdoor day camp with no boundaries and campers should be able to:

• Attend to an activity for at least 10 to 15 minutes
• Follow simple verbal directions
• Stay with a group without running or wandering away
• Consistently respond to words of caution

At Camp Team, the day is structured and transitions between activities occur every 30 minutes. Campers must be able to transition and participate in activities, such as team activities, movement and social skills games, music, tennis and swimming.  These activities will help build social skills between campers and give them a gentle challenge.

For more information on FOCUS and other resources they offer to families of children with special needs, you can find them on the web at: http://www.focus-ga.org/. To find out more about Camp Hollywood and Camp Team, you can find them on the web at: http://www.focus-ga.org/how-focus-can-help-you/children-teens/summer-day-camps/. If our firm can ever help you or someone you know, please do not hesitate to contact us at The Tyrone Law Firm.