During our 2018 visiting day we asked our parents to give prospective parents some information and feedback about Camp Lee Mar. The full video can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dy0GpN-I8M
Our parents talk about their experience at Camp Lee Mar, their concerns as a first time parent, and all the wonderful benefits Camp Lee Mar provided their child. The parents in this video discuss why Camp Lee Mar is the best fit for their child. Initially, some were torn about a camp for special needs children as opposed to other potential camp options. However, we think the following quote from the parent reference video sums this up . . .
“ . . . even though the tag line is A Special Camp for Special Kids, one of the things I really appreciate about Camp Lee Mar is Leora is not really special here at all, and I mean that in the best possible way! Leora is just one of the campers. That has given my husband and me such a great sense of joy for her because Leora can appreciate all that sleepaway camp has to offer.”
At Camp Lee Mar, we couldn’t agree more with this statement! We believe our campers experience a program that meets them at their current level, allows them to have fun with peers that are working on the same skills, provides support, a genuine friendship circle, and a sense of belonging. This is why our program works so well. As a camp for special needs children we can individualize our program to help our campers build on the skills needed for the next school year, regardless of their school placement.
Being a camp for special needs children, especially a sleep away camp, we understand the balance between safety and independence. We teach new skills, and we allow independence, all while providing the supervision and support required by each camper.
“Leora is very safe here at camp but she is not smothered. The counselors give the campers the opportunity to be as independent as possible, but when help is needed, then help is given. That sense of independence has been so wonderful for Leora . . . at home perhaps I do so many things to help Leora. It helps me realize that Leora is capable of doing so much more. Leora coming to camp has allowed me to give her the space needed to show me what she can do.”
At our summer camp special needs children are given the support and space to be as independent as possible. If you are considering Camp Lee Mar for your child please feel free to reach out to us, we can review your child’s I.E.P., talk through any needs or concerns you may have, and help you on your way to an amazing growth-producing experience for your child! Summer Camp Special Needs Children
Written by Lynsey Trohoske
My name is Lynsey Trohoske, I am the assistant director at Camp Lee Mar. I have three amazing children, my middle child happens to be on the autism spectrum and is a camper at Lee Mar. I joined camp as a counselor in 1998 and loved the campers and their families so much that Camp Lee Mar became my second home!
