Helping to Facilitate the Participation of Children with Disabilities in Community Settings
The
Community Connections Communicator
April 2007
In this Issue:
The theme of this month’s issue is Summer Camp Fun! Although summer is still a few months away, now is the time to start planning for your child's summer activities. In this issue you will find information on how to find the right summer camp. You will also find tips on making your child’s camp experience both enriching and exciting. In addition you will find an abundance of resources on finding day camps, overnight camps and out of state camps. Keep in mind that now is the time to begin researching and applying for summer camps to ensure a better chance of finding a camp that is a right fit for your child. Remember, many children benefit from summer camps and while they are being engaged in great activities, you may be able to enjoy a little respite during the summer. So take a moment and review the great materials in this issue and begin creating a cool summer camp adventure for your child!
 |
Tip Sheet: Packing Checklist for Travel, Camping and Hiking |
| Check out this tip sheet for information on planning for travel, camping and hiking. Click on the link below for the entire tip sheet. This will help you ensure that your child has all of the needed essentials for a fun camping experience. http://www.saferchild.org/list.htm | |
|
Article: How to Choose a Summer Camp |
| This article provides valuable information on questions to ask when searching for the right camp for a child with a disability. It will help families discuss what is important in choosing a camp and how to determine which camp is a good match. To view the entire article, click on the following link: http://www.summercamp.org/guidance/pamphlet.htm | |
|
Spotlights of the Month:Camp Invention |
| This week-long camp
provides an inclusive setting for children with and without disabilities
to participate in fun activities in the areas of math, arts, science
and history. To learn more about this camp, click on the following
link: http://www.invent.org/campInvention/default.htm# |
|
|
Recommended Websites: |
| Washington Parent:
Summer Camp Guide 2007 http://www.washingtonparent.com/guides/guide-camp.htm |
|
| LINC's Summer
Arts Camp http://www.linc.org/TextOnly/projects_text.html |
|
| National Dissemination
Center for Children with Disabilities http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/genresc/camps.htm |
|
| Maryland Camp
Information http://wmoore.net/therapy.html |
|
| Department of
Recreation and Parks in Howard County http://co.ho.md.us/rap/rap_seasonalactivities.htm |
|
| Maryland National
Capital Park and Planning Commission in Prince George's Country http://www.pgparks.com/things/camps.html |
|
| The Arc of Prince
Georges County http://www.thearcofpgc.org |
|
|
Spotlight a Welcoming Business: |
| Community Connections would like to “Spotlight” businesses who are welcoming to children with disabilities and their families. If you would like to spotlight a business, please click on this link and we will post it free of charge on our website. Thank you. |
Tip Sheet
Packing Checklist
for Travel, Camping and Hiking
Whether you are sending your child on a camping adventure or the whole
family will be out enjoying nature together, the checklists provided
in this tip sheet are essential. You will find information on tips including
packing first aid items, clothing, toiletries, eating items and much
more. If you want to get a jump-start on getting ready for camp, click
on the entire tip sheet below: http://www.saferchild.org/list.htm
Article
How To Choose A
Summer Camp
Choosing a summer camp can be a fun yet overwhelming venture. There
are many questions that you and your child should ask yourselves before
deciding which camp is just right. Whether you are considering a day
camp or sleep-away camp, this article will give you suggestions on how
to research what will be a good match for your child. Determining what
your child wants, finding out the size of the camp and locating programs
of interest are also discussed. This is a very interactive article so
get out the pen and paper, call a family meeting and begin planning
for your child's wonderful summer experience. To view the entire article
click on the following link:
http://www.summercamp.org/guidance/pamphlet.html
Spotlight of the Month!
Camp Invention
Is your child really into science, math or history? If so, Camp Invention
is just right. Camp Invention has a week-long camp in an inclusive environment,
which is ideal for children with disabilities who can bring a buddy
or be paired with a typical peer. This camp is offered throughout Maryland
with locations in such cities as Ellicott City, Hyattsville, Westminster,
Fort Washington, and more. This camp will help youngsters in the second
through sixth grades explore with their imaginations to create and invent
numerous projects. To learn more about this camp: http://www.invent.org/campInvention/default.htm#
Recommended Websites
Washington Parent:
Summer Camp Guide 2007- locate hundreds of summer camp listings
through this resource, with a special section devoted to finding camps
for children with disabilities.
http://www.washingtonparent.com/guides/guide-camp.htm
LINC's Summer Arts
Camp- find out information on this inclusive computer-based
camp for children ages 7-14.
http://www.linc.org/TextOnly/projects_text.html
National Dissemination
Center for Children with Disabilities - this website has excellent
resources including directories of local and national camps.
http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/genresc/camps.htm
Maryland Camp Information
- if you are looking for camps in the Maryland area this website is
for you.
http://wmoore.net/therapy.html
Department of Recreation
and Parks in Howard County - this website includes the summer
camp guide for the Howard County Area. You may also contact the administration
office at (410) 313-4700.
http://co.ho.md.us/rap/rap_seasonalactivities.htm
Maryland National
Capital Park and Planning Commission in Prince George's County-
provides day camps for children with and without disabilities. Therapeutic
programs are also available. Contact MNCPPC at (301) 699-2480.
http://www.pgparks.com/things/camps.html
The Arc of Prince
Georges County - provides a summer resource guide. For further
information contact the Arc at (301) 925-7050.
http://www.thearcofpgc.org
We currently offer training
and technical consultation to businesses, churches, and other community
organizations to help make them more welcoming to families and children
with special needs. If you know of a business or other organization
that would like to take advantage of these services, please e-mail us
at: communityconnections@umd.edu
OR
If you know of a business that is already welcoming to children with
special needs and their families and you would like to share this information
with other families and professionals, please send us your name as well
as the name and contact information for the business with a brief description
of why you believe they are welcoming to families. If appropriate, we
will post the business on our website and we may even feature it as
a 'Spotlight if the Month'. E-mail your submissions to: communityconnections@umd.edu
*Questions or Suggestions about our newsletter? Have an idea you would
like to submit? Please feel free to contact us at communityconnections@umd.edu
Virus Protection
We are very careful about our email communications. This EMAIL
and any ATTACHMENTS are sent under the protection of Norton Antivirus.
Disclaimer
Unless otherwise noted, all referenced articles are available
at no charge to you. Community Connections provides this for informational
purposes only and cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided
by linked sites. The opinions and views expressed at these web sites
do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of Community Connections.
Any personal information requested by any of the web sites will be governed
by the privacy policy at the site, and any questions you have related
to the sites' use of information should be directed there. The information
contained in this newsletter is not intended to make any offer or commitment
to purchase, subscribe to, provide or sell any service or product or
to provide any recommendations on which readers should rely.
Join Us
We welcome new subscribers. If you would like to join
our growing list please go to our Subscription
Page on the website.
Delete
If you do not want to receive this newsletter, please
click here and
send the email. We will immediately delete your name from our subscription
list.
© Copyright
2007, Community Connections. All rights reserved.
You are invited to forward this complete letter to friends and associates.
Commercial Re-Use Prohibited.
 |
 |
 |
|
© 2004 University of Maryland. All Rights Reserved.
Last updated on
April 25, 2007
.