Camp Communicate with Confidence
“Camp Communicate With Confidence” was designed by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst®, two speech/language pathologists and many applied behavior analysis instructors from Dower and Associates, Inc. to provide direct coaching in supporting children with communication delays to acquire, achieve fluency, maintain and generalize social communication skills while interacting with typical peers in a fun and enriching environment.
Started in 2009, “Camp Communicate with Confidence” is a unique, co-ed camp for children and adolescents ages 3—12. The camp is tailored to individuals with social/pragmatic language impairments including those diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism, PDD-NOS, Down’s Syndrome, ADHD, Language-Learning Disabilities, Specific Learning Disabilities, Speech/Language Impairment, and Nonverbal Learning Disorder. Children without social/pragmatic language impairments also attend our camp in order to provide an inclusive camp environment to all children. Space permitting, typical siblings of communication needs campers may attend camp free of charge.
“Camp Communicate With Confidence” starts with our outstanding instructors, whose talent, creativity and leadership set the tone for a great experience. Our instructors and specialists do what they enjoy most: inspiring and motivating children to explore, reach for new heights, and expand their horizons. Our staff members are committed to evidence based practices in educating and meeting the needs of all children. Our minimum staff to camper ratio is 1:3.
“Camp Communicate With Confidence” will provide group language activities, arts & crafts, songs, swimming, games and play appropriate to developmental levels as well as sports activities for all campers. Individual 1:1 ABA Instruction and speech/language therapy are also available on site before, during or after the camp day.
“Explorers”
The “Explorers” are discovering life and who they are. Designed for children ages 3 — rising 1st grade who can mand for items/activities and have a strong tacting/labeling repertoire. Children enrolled in this group will be working on manding for information from adults and peers, sharing, attending to group instruction, choral responding, displaying appropriate behaviors in a group setting and engaging in appropriate play/game skills. Some children use American Sign Language as their primary communication system. This group of children will have ABLLS™-R and VB-MAPP profiles that are vast in receptive language, imitation and tacting with their intraverbal repertoires needing further development and/or their use of social language and behavior with peers identified as the primary need.
These children will enjoy creative play with specialties including imaginative games, arts/crafts, role playing, races, and sand fun! Imaginative rugged play is a must. Activities on their list include active games, sand construction, role playing, and lots of water fun!
This group will have a maximum of ten children with communication delays and five children without communication delays.
“Pioneers”
The “Pioneers” are laying the groundwork for their futures. Designed for children in rising grades 2—6 who are fully included in their school with minimal behavioral or educational supports/modifications. This group of campers will be working on primarily social skills with peers utilizing the Skillstreaming curriculum, referencing peers, inferencing, advanced communication and play/game skills.
These children require challenging activities and enjoy competition, sports, rugged games, and water. These campers are raring to go and eager to be involved in all play activities and are challenged with exciting games, scavenger hunts, sports, fort building and creative, more advanced crafts! These energetic campers are most interested in active, competitive and unique games, sports, relays and team events! These children require more specialized activities and enjoy more water sports, adventurous games, and team building!
This group will have a maximum of eight children with primarily pragmatic communication delays and four children without communication delays. Siblings of communication needs campers in this session will have opportunities to meet with camp staff to obtain peer support and education within a recreational context regularly.
Summer 2009 Session Dates
(No camp Week of August 3, 2009)
Session 1: June 22—25, June 29—July 2, & July 6-9
Session 2: July 13-16, July 20-23, & July 27-30
Session 3: Aug 10-13, Aug 17-20, & Aug 24-27
Time and Days
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Monday - Thursday each week
More Information
For more detailed information, including location, fees, weekly themes, registration forms, and intake process, please contact
Dower and Associates, Inc. at
703-618-6180
or
E-Mail us
Enjoy some photo presentations from Summer 2009