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Camp FRIEND focuses on children with autism
By Bruce Walton
YOUNGSTOWN
Children with autism and other developmental disabilities got a chance to experience a variety of local discoveries at a summer camp this week.
The students, who range in ages from 3 to 17, participated in the third annual Camp FRIEND – Finding Rewards In Every New Day.
The camp, which began Monday, runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rich Center for Autism. It ends Friday.
The students spent time at
OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology, walked through the Butler Institute of American Art Museum, and met firefighters and a police officer.
The camp is a collaboration with the Autism Society of Mahoning Valley Office, the Rich Center and the Potential Development Program.
Robin Suzelis, Autism Society board president and camp coordinator, said the biggest goal is to help introduce students to new places and let them explore.
“They need to be out, they need to be exposed to new things,” she said. “They need to know that kids like them, that they can play with or just to be around so that they don’t feel so different.”
The camp provides an inclusive experience for students, not only within the autism spectrum, but other physical, behavior or mental disorders such as Down syndrome and bipolar disorder.
As a parent of a 5- and 10-year-old with autism, Suzelis said the support she gives her children results in improved behavior and social skills.
Campers are divided into four age groups – 3 to 5 and 6 to 8, which have the largest number of campers, as well as 9 to 12 and 13 to 17. In addition to the exploring the community, campers also enjoy activities at the Rich Center such as swimming, cooking and gardening.
The staff consists of 14 special-education teachers from the center, two full-time volunteers and four part-time volunteers.
Ali Lessick, lead instructions analyst volunteer for the camp and instructions specialist at the center, looks after the 3 to 5 age group. Lessick said the support she provides is invaluable to students.
“With this age group, their minds are so fresh, and they have so much to learn,” she said. “So it’s important for us to really plan important structures and effective activities.”
Suzelis said Youngstown has a great need for the camp because students have little to no structured programs in the summer.
Rachel Dobson, the camp director and behavioral analyst at the center, organized the camp’s schedules, with volunteers and teachers and supervising the campers. Since the first year, Dobson said both parents and children have loved the camp and always look forward to its return.
Due to some of their behavioral conditions, many families can’t send their children to typical camps. Suzelis hopes the camp can start earlier next summer to avoid the start of the school year and to accept more students, depending on staffing.