The other day I heard about a parent who had decided to send their child to a camp for the summer because it was a “social skills” camp. I didn’t know whether to laugh or be irritated by the idea that one has to go to a “specialized” program to develop social skills.
I am not denigrating social skills programs but I am saying that parents should not discount day camp programs because they don’t specifically advertise that they teach social skills. For most camp directors it is simply a given that social skills development is the foundation of their daily programming. Good day camps spend a tremendous amount of time creating activities that enable campers to have fun, feel good about themselves, interact in appropriate ways with others, and discover that they are a significant part of a community.
In her book The Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships Temple Grandin states, “Figuring out how to be socially competent is a slow process of continuous improvement. There is no single “social skills program” that will make a child become socially aware.” Social learning never ends and there are lots of opportunities to practice.
Camps provide those opportunities to practice within the framework of their daily activities. Campers build, create and play with others. Participation requires that they interact with other campers: taking turns, helping each other, learning how the group works together and their role in that group. Appropriate activities and good staff help campers recognize and understand diversity in the group and the value of each individual’s unique contribution.
In our SummerSkills Camp our priorities are to help our campers become more self-confident, more independent, and more socially adept – while having fun in an accepting, inclusive community. These goals are not always obvious as they are built into the day-to-day activities of bike riding, games, music, art, science, special events and community outings.
I believe this is the case with many day camps so I urge parents who are now looking for that all-important summer program to dig a little deeper. Have a conversation with the camp director; ask them about the underlying goals and philosophy of their program. It is important to have a clear understanding as to what a camp can specifically offer your child and whether they can support your goals for your child. I think you may be surprised by the quality and depth of experience that most camps offer.
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I think that Laura’s summer riding camp is GREAT! My eldest daughter will be attending again, for her third summer in a row, and she LOVES it too. When my youngest is old enough, she will join her sister for the fun of summer camp. Kids of all different abilities attend and there is a great sense of acceptance there. They focus on what the kids can do, not on what they can’t. The children have so much fun that they don’t even realize that they are working on their social skills, learning about responsiblity, how to comprimize, how to follow a routine, one which is of another person’s design, just to name a few things that us parents of exceptional children are looking to teach our children. That, coupled with the fact that they are outdoors, experiencing nature and the wonderful world of horses; what more could you want for a summer camp? I would (and have) recommend Laura Hunter’s STEPS program to an parent with a child with special needs.