Summer Matters - Valley Forge Educational Services
Watch a Slideshow of Summer L.I.F.E. 2012!
Summer L.I.F.E. offers experiential learning and social skills development in the context of summer fun. Designed especially to support students, ages 8-21, with high functioning autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, the programs – specialty camps, traditional day camp/overnight camp, and travel excursions – also support students who have social anxiety or difficulty connecting with their peers. Summer L.I.F.E. offers low camper-to-staff ratio, experienced camp staff, ongoing behavior support, structured daily programming, engaging, multisensory activities and “Real World” learning.
Summer L.I.F.E. is based on The Three “E”s:
Experiencing “hands on” activities engages campers at a personal level by recognizing and addressing their unique needs, wants and interests. Experiential learning allows campers to retain skills for longer periods of time.
Empowering campers to be more independent in safe, supportive environments allows them to self-advocate and practice critical “life skills.”
Encouraging healthy relationships allows campers to practice social skills within the context of small group, age-appropriate recreational activities.
Summer L.I.F.E. programs include:
SPECIALTY CAMPS
The weeklong specialty camps, in areas like creative arts, nature and technology, draw on campers’ passions and affinities and allow them to practice behavioral and social skills in a strengths-based context. Programs are taught by professionals with expertise in the field and are supported by staff experienced in working with the ASD population.
TRADITIONAL DAY & OVERNIGHT CAMPS
Our day and overnight camps offer traditional camp activities such as fishing, canoeing, zip line, crafts and nature study during weeklong sessions on a 90-acre wooded camp property in Schwenksville, PA.
TRAVEL EXCURSIONS
Travel excursions offer students the opportunity to gain independence, build relationships with each other, and take risks in a supportive environment. These weekend and weeklong travel trips also offer respite to caregivers.
Summer L.I.F.E. offers low camper-to-staff ratio, experienced camp staff, ongoing behavior support, structured daily programming, engaging, multisensory activities and “Real World” learning.
Resources
Assessing Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders for Their “Fit” at Camp
