Summer has long been thought of as a carefree time for kids, a season for fun in the sun and endless opportunities for trivial pursuits. Of course, ARC of the Treasure Coast summer camps includes all of the above; however, they offer so much more for young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
While campers are swimming twice a week at the YMCA and bowling weekly, they are not only having fun like most other kids, but they are also working on developing and honing their motor skills. Three-year-olds just starting out up to young adults aged 22 enjoy activities based on their personal intellectual and developmental skill levels.
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Campers at both the St. Lucie County and Martin County camps go on field trips to places like Lion Country Safari, the West Palm Beach Zoo, Ox Bow Eco-Center, and the Loggerhead Marine Center. They also explore the Science Museum, take in a METS baseball game, and enjoy a lazy Lagoon River Boat Ride. Sounds like a great mix of summer fun.
These events not only support building and improving motor abilities but also social skills. Trips to the library and opportunities to create unique arts and crafts work to improve intellectual abilities. All the activities provide endless amounts of fun for the kids and numerous benefits to parents.
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The camp opens on the first day of summer break and stays open until the last day of summer break. So, parents can continue to work throughout the summer. Every parent understands what a gift it is to know your child is not only having fun and being taken care of but also learning and exploring and improving every day.
ARC of the Treasure Coast takes a holistic approach to summer camp. It all starts with a good blend of fun and peer engagement, sprinkling in the right amount of education to inspire intellectual progress, adding a good portion of developmental dexterity building in the pool and on the playground, and topping it off with the perfect portion of imagination time on movie days.
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Most of ARC of the Treasure Coast programs are funded by the Children’s Services Council of Martin County and St. Lucie County, as well as donations from our charitable sponsors and generous community partners who make up a large portion of the overall program budget. We cannot thank them enough for all of their contributions and we look forward to their continued support all year round. Their kindness brings joy and happiness to our campers.
While these young people face certain challenges, they are truly blessed to have a summer camp experience full of fun and learning provided by ARC of the Treasure Coast, where the programs are “Inspiring Success through a Lifetime of Achievements!”
To learn more about all ARC programs visit https://arctreasurecoast.org/programs#Camp.
