LAB, parent of a Vanguard student, says:

"My daughter attended the science and horseback riding camps this past summer and she had a wonderful time! She learned a lot stuff too. It was great.

As part of the science camp she spent a night at the zoo which she loved. She also thought the people from Wondergy were really cool and educational. She loves animals so spending a week with the horses, learning how care for them and to ride them was great."

etabal, parent of a Vanguard student,says:

"My son went to two different camps and he really seemed to enjoy it. I thought the Outdoor camp was fantastic! The kids went off campus every single day and were able to do some amazing things from climbing the rock wall at the Philadelphia Gym - going to a farm and having a picnic - going to a park and doing a canopy tour. Some of these things he has never had the opportunity to do. It was great in that the staff were experienced and it was a fairly small group. Without a doubt I want my son to go back and experience these amazing things. The best part of all was getting off campus and going out into the real world to experience things they may be able to do on their own."

jdwlaw5, parent of a Vanguard student, says:

"My son attended the horseback riding program and the science program this past summer. He enjoyed both very much. He especially enjoyed being able to stay overnight at the Philadelphia Zoo with the science program. He is looking forward to attending again this summer!!"

rossm, parent of a Vanguard student, says:

"Our 13 year old son attended the 2-week SUMMER MATTERS Horticulture Program in August 2007. Our son, who has a PDD-NOS diagnosis and is high-functioning, loved the combination of travel to Longwood Gardens, Waterloo Gardens, and Chanticleer Gardens and on-site gardening activities in the Vanguard School greenhouse and around the campus, along with educational activities in the classroom. The ratio of campers to staff was approx. 3:1. The staff were all professionals trained to work with Special Education children. Their teaching combined hands-on and book-style learning, coaching the students as needed each day. Our son came home very excited at the end of each day. Our only complaint about the program was that we wish the days were longer! For this first, start-up year, the program ran from 9 am - 2 pm each day. Our son will definitely participate again in the Summer of 2008. Our only challenge will be picking a workshop - the preliminary choices look fabulous! This program also fills a critical gap - there are almost no summer camp activities for children - never mind special needs children - in August. For special needs children in particular, keeping them in structured activities year-round is critical. This program doesn't just fill this gap - it excels."

The Fischer Family, whose  daughter is a Vanguard student, says:

"Allie loved the experience. She is very happy when she is at The Vanguard School. She was in the Social Skills program, which is Allie's most diffcult. The more she is in programs such as the Social Skills program the better she seems to communicate with us. She tries so hard and it warms our hearts to know that there are programs that are best suited to her needs. Thanks so much for all you do."

Pat Rose, parent of a Vanguard student, says:

"My son had a wonderful time on the RV EduTour trip. The first week was spent planning the trip--going to the library and mapping out the trip, planning the menu, keeping in mind a budget, going to the grocery store and buying the food, making a list of the supplies they would need and going to REI to get them, learning how to put up the tent, deciding what activities they would participate in, etc. They had to work together as a group and make decisions accordingly. The second week was putting their plan into action and having fun! Chris had a great time at the parks, especially Gettysburg. He learned a lot while having fun!"