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Empowering Unique Learners
Miriam camp expands offerings to enhance learning and fun for students
Katie Stalter

Miriam Summer FUNdamentals is offering more camps this year than ever before to help kids with learning and thinking differences maintain - and gain - skills during the summer. 

Miriam camper with their teacher

In addition to specific reading and writing specific groups (rather than more general academic camps), Miriam added speech articulation and executive function sessions. Also new this year is the Ultimate Camp Experience - a daily afternoon session that focuses on more traditional camp activities at a lower price.

During the Ultimate Camp Experience afternoons, campers worked on art projects, had water balloon play, and made bracelets. There was also plenty of opportunity for social interaction, and older campers often helped younger ones with projects.

Becky Young, special education program supervisor, said she can tell that campers find Miriam to be a place where they belong. “They may walk in a little apprehensive, but all of them leave with a smile on their faces.”

Some of the campers had never been in an environment where they felt celebrated for their gifts, Young said. “They receive strategies here that help them build confidence. Campers leave feeling successful, because we’ve been able to meet their needs where they’re at.”

Children during MLC summer camp

Many campers return year after year, Young said, and two even come from out of town each summer and stay with grandparents during the camp session.

One camp parent said she noticed significant growth in her son from just one session of camp.

“I loved how staff were able to make the experience both fun and educational,” she said. “My son looked forward to camp every day and has completely changed his opinion on reading! He has started choosing independent reading time over time on his tablet.”
 

Take a Twirl

How do we help our kids gain confidence in trying something new? I think it is shifting from celebrating the final product, whether it is an art project or a final grade, to celebrating the steps it took for your child to get to the end of the process.

Read More about Take a Twirl