Aspire Summer Camp 2013
Aspire offers a fun-filled therapeutic day camp for children entering 1st grade through age 15. Each camp day consists of a variety of recreational activities and therapeutic interventions to help children make social connections and maintain positive relationships with peers and staff. We use an interdisciplinary approach based on the fields of psychology, special education, speech therapy, recreational therapy and occupational therapy. At times we integrate adjunct therapies, this summer we offered music, art and drama therapies. For more information please see our summer camp Brochure (pdf)
Our program goals are to help our campers:
- Improve self awareness and acceptance of themselves
- Develop pro-social behaviors and language through targeted social coaching
- Learn how to establish friendships by breaking down this complex process into simple steps
- Utilize more effective coping skills for anxiety and depression
- Get opportunities to succeed throughout the summer
Camp Community
Aspire Campers
Our campers are children entering 1st grade through age 15 who have the cognitive capacity for solid peer connections but who lack the skill set to form these connections. Typical diagnoses include Asperger's Syndrome, or related challenges. Applicants ages 13 and older may be eligible for our Teen or Young Adult Programs.
Aspire Staff
Aspire’s Summer Camps are planned and coordinated by Mary Beth Kadlec, Sc.D., OTR/L, Program Manager.
Most groups consist of 6 children and 2 staff, a Group Leader and an Assistant Group Leader. Each group is supervised by a Site Director or an Assistant Site Director. The staff are from related professions or in related graduate and undergraduate programs who take part in intensive pre-camp and ongoing training. Onsite supervisors, program specialists, and consultants support children and staff throughout the summer.
Aspire Families
Aspire is committed to working closely with families. We hold an Orientation Session and have Group Leaders call families the week prior to camp. We maintain regular contact with families using written feedback, phone conversations, and a mid-summer conference. We also send an electronic newsletter to our families with camp updates. Family support and resource groups meet at various times throughout the camp session. And, we provide a written report to families summarizing the goals and strategies found successful at camp.
Schedule
Summer Camp - 7 Week Program
Monday, July 1 to Friday, August 16, 2013 (closed July 4)
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays from 9AM – 2:30PM; Wednesdays 9am-1pm.
New camp option for 5-7 year olds - 6 weeks/shorter days
Dates: July 1-August 9 (closed July 4)
Schedule: M-F from 9am-1pm
This option is only available at our Hale Reservation site in Westwood
Locations
Charlestown Site: This site combines a variety of indoor activities in our beautifully renovated new space at the Boys and Girls Club and outdoor activities in Charlestown, with twice-weekly visits to our Hale Reservation site for outdoor recreation and activities.
Westwood Site:Home base is the Trading Post Cabin at Hale Reservation, which is made up of 1200 acres of woods, lakes and ponds with hiking trails, boating, “Floating Classroom”, fishing and swimming, ropes courses, environmental education, outdoor living, archery, and facilities for an overnight and cookouts. Hale Reservation hosts the largest day camp area in the United States, comprising 9 day camps each summer.
Application and Tuition Fees
Once application materials are received, they are reviewed for potential fit with the program. While spaces are available, applicants who may be a good fit are scheduled for an interview.
We value continuity with children and families and have a high return rate. As a consequence, acceptance decisions are based on the match between the profiles of new applicants and the profiles of returning campers in a particular group. Slots do fill quickly so it is recommended that applications be submitted early.
| Application Fee | A $75 non-refundable fee is required at time of application. |
| Tuition | Summer Camp (7 weeks): $5,500 |
| Application Deadline | Applications will be processed in the order in which they are received and on a rolling admissions basis. Returning Families: Priority Deadline for returning families is on February 4, 2013. These will be given priority consideration for enrolling into our summer programs. |
| Application Form | Application forms and procedures |
For financial aid information please go to our billing and rates page.
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For additional details click here or for information please contact:
Aspire, 73 High Street, Charlestown, MA 02129
Telephone: (617) 726-0060
Fax: (617) 726-0064
mghaspire@partners.org
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