First summer camp for children with disabilities

Continues tradition of meeting children’s needs

Greater Cincinnati’s tradition of camping programs for children with disabilities started in 1963 with Camp Stepping Stone. The camp, on 23 acres in Indian Hill, started with two parents who realized no other camp programs in the area could accommodate their children, so they developed one of their own.

This year’s 45^th camp season continues that spirit of filling gaps with the first ever residential and day camp for children with autism, running June 29 through July 4 at Camp Allyn in Batavia.

Because some children with autism can find changing their bedtime routines difficult, the Sensory Celebration camp offers a day-only option, with flexible hours between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. The new Sensory Celebration camp is the latest example of Stepping Stones creatively filling a pressing need.

The camp for children and teens with autism includes sensory-centered activities to help children manage their moods and enjoy a true summer camp experience. Teens with Asperger's, a high-functioning form of autism, have their own camp program emphasizing social interaction and expressing their feelings.

 "Teens with Asperger's often have social issues," said Tabbie Ross, residential and respite coordinator for Stepping Stones at Camp Allyn. "They need help expressing how they are feeling and what their needs are. A lot of kids with Asperger's go to typical camps, but a lot of times they are not successful because they feel pressured to perform at a faster pace, to keep up with other kids. Here they do things at their own pace. Our definition of success is totally different. It's not about who does the best. You don't have to hit the ball. Maybe you just want to hold the bat."

The "Sensory Celebration" is one of three overnight residential camp sessions for children offered by Stepping Stones Center.  Kids Kamp sessions, July 13-18 or Aug. 3-8, are designed for children age 6 to 16 who have any level of disability and their best buddies or siblings who share the camp experience with crafts, games, swimming, singing, campfires, scavenger hunts and crazy evening events.

Close to 300 children are expected to attend the Stepping Stones Summer Day Camp programs at Stepping Stones Center in Indian Hill and at the 47-acre Camp Allyn in Batavia. The residential and day camping programs are accredited by the American Camp Association. Stepping Stones is a United Way partner agency.

Children who have autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, brain injury, behavior disorders, cognitive deficits and multiple disabilities get a traditional summer camp experience with swimming, boating, crafts, games and camp songs.

“We treat them just like any other child,” said Day Camp director Sarah Bosley. “We may change the way we do things. But our goal is a camp experience just like everybody else,” said Bosley.

That can be a rare feeling for children with severe disabilities.

Lysa Meyers’ daughter, Haunnah, has been going to Camp Stepping Stone for years.

“Haunnah can’t walk, she doesn’t talk. She wears a body brace. When she’s at Stepping Stones she’s always laughing and giggling,” Mrs. Meyers said. “She’s part of things. She even goes swimming. When she’s there, I know she’s safe. I know she’s happy.”

At Day Camp Stepping Stone, campers are grouped in units with names like “Fireflies” “Spiders,” “Butterflies.” The camp day includes swimming with lifejackets and ever-present counselors and volunteers, rowboat rides dodging the sprinkle of the lake fountain, nature hikes, where aides push wheelchairs on paved trails next to children who walk on their own or with a helping hand.

Children sit at shaded craft tables and create masterpieces with paint, glue and brightly colored surprises from the craft treasure box. Campers who need medication or tube feedings are quietly escorted to the nurse’s office and then returned to their unit to continue the fun.

Games, songs, crafts – all are designed to allow multiple levels of participation so every child feels included. That’s a tradition that harkens to the first summer day camps started by Stepping Stones founders Minor LeBlond of Indian Hill and the late Peggy Geier. They were young mothers who wanted their children to go to camp, “just like everybody else.”

They contacted the Convalescent Aid Society, which operated the former Fresh Air Farm on land donated by the Thomas Emery family in 1893 as a place to offer summer getaways and fresh air for inner city families. Geier and LeBlond got permission to run a pilot summer day camp program for children with disabilities. It was an immediate success and grew quickly, expanding in 1970 from summer programs to year-round programs serving from toddlers and preschool through adults. Stepping Stones continues to use the former Fresh Air Farm site in Indian Hill for its expanding campus, including lake, indoor and outdoor pools, gymnasium, and program centers.

As more camp programs became accessible over the years, Stepping Stones honed its programs to serve children with more and more severe disabilities, always making sure there was a camp available for any child with a disability. Stepping Stones has a tradition of saying "yes" when others say "no." Today, Stepping Stones Center is a $2.6 million United Way partner agency with year-round programs that continue to respond to growing needs.

The national incidence of autism has grown to one in 150 births, and Stepping Stones has responded with increased emphasis on programs for children with autism.

Besides Sensory Celebration, Stepping Stones offers unique autism education options. The Step-Up program is the only one of its kind in the region, providing an alternative education program for students with autism who have been removed from their schools because of behavior challenges and other issues.

The program was started for high school students, but is expanding to include younger students. All students must be referred to the program by their school district.

Residential Camps

Children's and adult residential camps are $700 or $850 for one-on-one assistance. All residential programs are at the 47-acre Camp Allyn in Batavia, which is owned and supported by the Rotary Club of Cincinnati.

Adult residential camps also are available for campers 17 and older and include Art Camp, July 6-11; Sports Camp, July 27-Aug.1, and Nature Camp, Aug. 3-8.

Summer Day Camp

Day Camp sessions for children with disabilities are available from June 16 through Aug. 15 at Camp Allyn in Batavia and at the 23-acre Stepping Stones Center in Indian Hill. Day Camp fees are $40 per day or five days for $160. Sessions run 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Flexible scheduling is available. Bus transportation to the Indian Hill day camp from neighborhood pick-up spots is available for $15 per day.

Information on camps or volunteering

Call 513-831-4660 ext. 10 or email mbrooks@steppingstonescenter.org Web site www.steppingstonescenter.org

April 2008