By Melissa McWilliams, AGSS Program Manager

Although the weather wouldn’t suggest it, summer will be here before we know it. And with summer comes summer camps!  Since many camp registrations open in the spring, now is the time to start planning your kiddo’s summer. Here are a few articles reminding us about the “why” with camp.  Not only do camps provide our kids with fun, they also have other enormous positive benefits on kids from all types of backgrounds and experiences: 8 Benefits of Summer Camp – Indy’s Child Magazine (indyschild.com) and Overnight Camp & The Brain: The Hidden Benefits of a Summer Spent in Cabins – MGH MAPP (harvard.edu)).  The benefit of camps, however, is not exclusively for the camper.  We all love the children in our care so much, but the break that a week at camp can offer a parent or guardian can be invaluable.

To help get a jump on your summer camp list, I wanted to share a few options that I have come across. As with any camp or experience that you are considering for your child, please search out reviews and ask questions to ensure the camp experience is the right one for the unique needs of your child and family.

• For children still in foster care:
  • Royal Family Kids Camp: This camp integrates Trust-Based Relational lntervention (TBRI) modalities within their activities and curriculum.  For those of you who are in the pre-adoption or guardianship process and your child is still a part of foster care, this would be something to consider.  You can learn more and find a camp near you at this link: For The Children

• For children and families who have finalized adoptions or guardianships, there are many camps that cater specifically to children with similar life stories:
• Heritage Camps For Adoptive Families | Colorado Family Camp
• Pact – An Adoption Alliance – Adopted Children of Color & Families (pactadopt.org)
• Summer Camp — Camp Hebron
• Summer Camps – Holt Adoptee Camp (holtinternational.org)

• For families with children and adolescents who have disabilities:
  • Easterseals Crossroads has several camp options to consider. You can learn more here: Camps for Children – Indianapolis – Easterseals Crossroads

• Although it has a fall start date, I thought I’d still mention this camp. Derived from the original TBRI summer camp designed by Dr. Karyn Puris and Dr. David Cross, this therapeutic camp c camp derived from the original TBRI summer camp that was designed by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross.  Keep an eye out on this webpage for updates and information: Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (tcu.edu)

I hope I have helped give you a jump start on planning your family’s summer, and that attending camp finds itself on your family’s list of activities!