Some people think of the lazy days of summer, but at the Barber National Institute, we’re actually busier than ever! Over the years, we have initiated a number of programs to ensure that children have both educational and recreational opportunities throughout the summer.
Happy Hearts Childcare
Working moms and dads don’t have the summer off to play with their children. Happy Hearts offers childcare early morning through late afternoon for ages 3-5. Weekly fieldtrips, arts and crafts, STEM, and lots of fun activities ensure children have a great time!
Early Intervention
Ideally, many children with developmental delays benefit from year-round education. At BNI, we offer a summer component with short breaks so that the children do have a “summer vacation” but not the traditional 3 months of summer. The children continue to receive educational services specified on their Individual Education Plans (IEP) including speech therapy and physical therapy.
Extended School Year (ESY)
For children 5-21 with disabilities, a 5-week summer program is provided to assure that children do not lose the skills that they have acquired during the school year. Services on a child’s IEP are continued throughout ESY.
Camps
BNI offers four distinct camps:
- Learn to Ride Bike Camp is a 4-week program to help children develop skills to ride their bikes independently. The program is open to children 6 years of age and above who have not been successful riding without training wheels.
- Camp Connections is a social skills development program for children and adolescents with a diagnosis of autism developing interpersonal skills, managing emotions, and making good decisions.
- Camp Shamrock focuses on development of recreational skills for children with disabilities.
- Expanding Social Opportunities (ESO) Camp is similar to Shamrock but is offered to young adults 18 and over with intellectual disabilities.
You can learn more about our camps at www.barberinstitute.org
Get ready, get set, let’s have fun!
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