Camps for siblings of special needs kids?

[KirstenB]

Is there such a thing? If there is, can you tell me about it? I responded to a thread a week or 2 ago and I stated how hard it must be to be the sibling. I'm going to contact our local Autism chapter but I've not heard of one around here. What do you think? Would it be fun for the siblings to get away with other kids like them? Or do you just do that with regular camp?

 

[nursymel]

That sounds like a great idea.What we have here that I plan on getting my daughter involved in is Sibshops.From what I understand they are meetings for siblings to vent I guess and meet other kids in the same (or similar) boat.We so often focus on trying to help the one with the disability and end up unintentionally not giving the siblings enough of the attention.Definitely would like to hear more ,if you find out any info about camp.

 

[Schmeck]

I don't know if I think a camp just for siblings of children with special needs is a good idea or not - it still puts the focus on the child with special needs, doesn't it? I'd ask my child if he/she wanted to go to a regular camp first, as he/she might want to get away from the whole special needs issue for a change. As the PP stated, "We so often focus on trying to help the one with the disability".

I do remember a family camp - it would focus on a certain disability each week. I haven't heard about it for a while now though. We had a family at one of our schools attend, but I've lost touch with them.

 

[BeckyScott]

I think Camp Barnabas has some weeks where siblings can come along, and then the siblings are housed in their own bunks so they can bond and do their own activities. (Camp Barnabas was the one on Extreme Makeover Home Edition a couple years ago) This might be the one you heard of, Schmeck, they do a different disability each session.

There is also a smaller camp near here called Camp Wonderland that does the same thing.

It made sense to me, because I'd want to have both kids at camp at the same time, and that would be hard to schedule at 2 seperate camps. Mommy needs a break, too.

We are looking into it for next summer.

 

[KirstenB]

I don't know if I think a camp just for siblings of children with special needs is a good idea or not - it still puts the focus on the child with special needs, doesn't it? I'd ask my child if he/she wanted to go to a regular camp first, as he/she might want to get away from the whole special needs issue for a change. As the PP stated, "We so often focus on trying to help the one with the disability".

I do remember a family camp - it would focus on a certain disability each week. I haven't heard about it for a while now though. We had a family at one of our schools attend, but I've lost touch with them.

Schmeck, good point. This summer, I signed up our older dd for a couple of week-long camps to give her a break from her sister. I'm trying to figure out how to give kids like her a break, and maybe a safe place to share and vent, but maybe that's overstepping. Food for thought, hmmm.

 

[Libbyt]

Check on the Victory Junction camp too - they may do a sibling camp. I've been involved in a couple of Sibshop events and they are great! They are usually a single day (Saturday - maybe 1/2 day) event, but in some places they do them as a monthly activity. They do a lot of team-building type activities, lots of communication stuff - expressing your feelings about your sibling in a safe environment. They are wonderful groups - google sibshops to find more info.