I have to say, I love when I hear about programs that have been created to provide opportunities for the development and growth of an individual’s skills and abilities…combine that in a camp setting with a lake, trails, camp fire, water tubing, horseback riding, songs, and crafts…well, you see where I’m going with this right?

Welcome to Camp Kennebec! Located in Arden, Ontario, this camp is , according to their website, “a wonderful summer camp for kids and teens with special needs, learning disabilities, and developmental delays including autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, ADD, Down Syndrome, OCD, brain injury, anxiety, social skill and other challenges”.   And I must say, watching their video makes it seem like a great place to spend the summer.

However, it is their K.I.T. program that makes it a noteworthy place to explore.

The K.I.T. program runs for 8 weeks (open registration starts in October each year), for adults 18+, is open to 12-13 participants during that time, has a 2:1 camper:staff ratio, and focuses not only on providing a camp experience, but in creating interactive opportunities for campers  to work on, and practice, their life and job skills.

I can go on and tell you how the K.I.T.  participants all share a fully equipped ‘Chalet’, share in the duties involved in taking care of it and keeping it clean, how they are encouraged and coached in how to do an interview in order to work various jobs at camp such as gardening, stocking the cabins, helping in the kitchen, etc.  That they earn Kennebec dollars that they are supported with keeping track of, and that these dollars can then be used for purchases at the camp store or to pay for outings to town.  I can also describe how they work on getting up in time for work, or in completing tasks on time.  Or how about how they learn to create a product like candles, or picture frames…setting a price, advertising it, then selling it on camp family days, and later receiving the actual money they worked so hard for.

But I won’t.  Don’t have enough time or space.  All I can do is share some of the key points:

Self-Esteem

Social skills

Time Management

Budgeting

Home skills

Money skills

Entrepreneurship skills

Decision making skills

Confidence

team work

Problem solving skills

 

…and there is probably also Smore making skills somewhere is all this!

What more could you ask for?! Well check out their website at https://www.campkennebec.com/ for further information, pricing and how to contact them.

And happy camping!

~Tami Schaafsma