Summer Matters - Valley Forge Educational Services
Press Release: Learning and Fun Make a Difference – 3 Unique Summer Programs
January 6, 2010
…..Paoli, PA…. Parent and camper feedback from last year’s summer programs confirms that summer really does matter. At Valley Forge Educational Services, Summer Matters provides a continuum of innovative summer enrichment and remedial experiences for youth and young adults, ages 6 – 21. Summer Matters offers three unique programs for learning and fun: Summer at Crossroads, Summer L.I.F.E. (Learning Is For Everyone) and The Extended School Year Program (ESY) at The Vanguard School. Each program operates in a separate location on and away from VFES’ 26 acre campus in Malvern, Pennsylvania.
Summer at Crossroads is a five week academic & recreational program that reinforces and maintains each child’s school skills. The program is appropriate for children entering Kindergarten through sixth grade. All teachers are experienced, educational professionals who individualize each child’s instruction to meet his or her learning needs. Parents are given the flexibility to choose among academic programs offered during the morning session or to build a full-day program of academics, lunch and recreation. The 2010 “new and enhanced” afternoon Recreation Program will provide children with opportunities to engage in a variety of age-appropriate, high-interest activities, including: “Express Yourself!” creative arts program, karate lessons, “Get Fit” and “Back 2 Nature” clubs, recreational swim and field trips and community outings. In addition to optional speech and language therapy, parents may now opt to have their child receive occupational therapy. An enhanced “Lunch Bunch” program offers children opportunities to build healthy relationships with others within the context of relevant lunchtime activities. Summer at Crossroads will run from June 28th through July 30th. The Crossroads School was created in 1977 to address the unmet academic needs of children with language-based learning differences, such as dyslexia (www.thecrossroadsschool.net).
Summer L.I.F.E. (Learning Is for Everyone) is an experiential learning program offered to youth ages 6-21 with and without special needs. This program provides children, adolescents and young adults with a varied cross-section of “real world” experiences that allows them to generalize and transfer academic, social and behavioral skills in a number of community settings. SUMMER L.I.F.E. programming includes engaging, unique learning opportunities on campus, experiences within the community, and beyond. Youth who participate in SUMMER L.I.F.E. display a wide array of abilities. Some youth who benefit are classified with one or more of the following disabilities: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Pervasive Developmental Delay, Aspergers Syndrome, Mild Neurological Impairment (NI), Other Health Impairment (OHI) and mild behavior disorders. Family members and neighborhood friends join in to provide age-appropriate social and behavioral models. Program components include one-, two- and three week sessions that can be half-day, full-day and overnight events. Programming for 2010 will include: Shenandoah Valley “Edventure” in Virginia, Great Outdoors “Ecoventure” at Pocono Environmental Education Center, Wilderness Adventure in Roanoke, Virginia, Sailing Away Program in New Jersey, Beach Week in Fenwick Island, Delaware, Furniture Making, Social Skills Program – Acting Antics (primary, youth and “new” teen Sessions), “Artrageous” Camp featuring art, music and dance instruction, Circus Arts Camp at Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, Robotics (various levels), horseback riding at Hope Springs Farm and “Back in Time” History Camp. Parents may register their child to attend by the week or for multiple weeks. Programming is offered from Mid-July to Late-August and the schedule varies.
The Vanguard School offers an Extended School Year (ESY) Program for its students and for students in neighboring school districts, ages 6 to 21, who qualify for ESY in order to maintain skills and to reduce regression during the summer months. The program is designed to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of students through their IEP goals. The Extended School Year day begins at 9:00 AM and ends at 2:00 PM. Students are grouped into one of three categories: Lower School, Middle School or High School. The Lower School program is designed to be fun and engaging and strives to meet IEP goals through academic, social and enrichment activities. The Middle and High School program focuses on academic skills, personal independence, building healthy relationships with others and vocational training and community service. New for 2010 ESY is an expanded summer vocational experience for middle and high school students. The 2010 theme for ESY is “Summer Sleuths.” Following morning academic instruction in math, reading and language arts/writing, afternoon clubs reinforce social and behavioral skills. Clubs will include karate, “Acting Antics”, “Dance for All” and music. ESY will run from June 28th through August 6th. The Vanguard School is a Pennsylvania Approved Private School for Special Education, selected by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (www.vanguardschool-pa.org).
Recognizing the importance of year-round recreational programming for youth of all abilities, the Summer Matters division is expanding its program offerings to include three new recreational programs, “Break Away Adventures”, “Kid’s Night Out” and “Weekend Retreats” for VFES families and families in the outlying communities. These programs will offer affordable, engaging opportunities for youth to develop independence, strengthen healthy relationships and broaden their recreational experiences in the real world.
For more information about any of these programs, visit www.summermatters.org or contact Holly Zipperer at 610-296-6725 ext. 115 or hozipperer@vfes.net.
About Valley Forge Educational Services: Valley Forge Educational Services offers a wide variety of educational services focused on guiding 21st century learners to independence. VFES provides premier educational options for young children, adolescents and pre-21 adults ranging from school-based and summer programs to career planning to clinical and consulting services. VFES also offers professional support to organizations, schools and families through its Conferences and Training, Grant Writing, Child Development and Strategic Planning service divisions. To learn more about VFES go to www.vfes.net.
SUMMER MATTERS quotes
“My 9 year old participated in two weeks of the SUMMER L.I.F.E. program. The first week was an art-based curriculum and he came home very happy every day. He became very good friends with three different campers and talked about them all the time, so much that even after camp we organized play dates with the children. I felt the program really nurtured my son. I felt very safe with him going there. It was very well organized and thought out as to each child’s needs. The second week was a robotic building camp where they built robots out of Lego’s. I cannot tell you how thrilled he was about this one. This appealed to his intellectual spirit and he was so proud of his accomplishments. He says it was the highlight of his WHOLE summer. I cannot thank you enough for providing such a stellar program suited for children who learn differently, behave differently. We need a whole summer of this! I highly recommend this camp program.” Maureen Martinez, parent
“My son has just completed his fourth year at Vanguard’s Extended School Year (ESY) Program. It has been a positive experience for him and our family. The program is a wonderful complement to Vanguard’s school year program as it provides continuity with reinforcement of academics and behavior goals. The ESY Program offers opportunities to participate and experience activities that would otherwise not be available to him. My son has also participated in Summer L.I.F.E. His self-esteem and independence have increased tremendously as his involvement and success in the different activities expands. The entire staff working at both programs is phenomenal! As parents, knowing we are sending our child to such a compassionate and committed environment is truly priceless.” Patty Maguire, parent
“Summer at Crossroads took me from frustration and sadness to confidence and success.” Summer at Crossroads camper, 2009
