Camp Follow the Leader Offers Camp Enjoyable to Kids with Disabilities

Valley Health’s Camp Follow the Leader celebrated one other profitable yr, offering a camp expertise to native youngsters with bodily, sensory, emotional, social and developmental challenges.

This yr, 26 youngsters ages 6-10 participated within the particular summer season day camp, held from July 24-28 primarily at Bethel Lutheran Church on North Frederick Pike. Each baby was paired with one or two older “buddies” who participated in actions with them all through the week.

“These kids may not be able to participate in the typical camp experience,” says Matthew Thompson, an occupational therapist at Winchester Rehabilitation Center who co-directs the camp with occupational therapist Molly Connor-Hall and bodily therapist Angela Eberle. “This gives them the opportunity to have fun, with their buddy, and with structured activities every day.”

The camp is funded by the Winchester Medical Center Foundation. Winchester Rehabilitation Center therapists, together with space particular schooling academics, speech therapists, a Valley Health pediatric therapist, and college students from Shenandoah University all volunteered on the camp.

Activities included demonstrations from Round Hill Fire and Rescue and Winchester City Police, a subject journey to East Coast Gymnastics & Cheer, a go to to Stonebrook Club and the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum, horseback driving with the assistance of Faithful Hearts Horses and Friends, and face portray.

There was additionally animal-assisted remedy, music remedy, a social expertise group and extra.

“I loved being with my buddy,” says Yandra, a camper at this yr’s occasion. “My favorite things to do was the pool and the horses.”

Madison Re, an occupational remedy pupil at Shenandoah University, earned fieldwork credit score as a volunteer on the camp. She helped plan a sensory impediment course, exercise bingo, cup stacking and social expertise video games.

“I loved it,” she says. “It’s really cool to see the kids grow and become more confident throughout the week.”