Page 153 - Petelin, Ana, et al. 2019. Eds. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of Children and Adolescents. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 153
The effects of therapeutic camps
for children and youth with disabilities
Lucija Rojko, Brigita Marc, Karmen Brence, Saša Kastelic, Andrej Starc
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, Zdravstvena pot 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
Introduction: Therapeutic camps are conducted to foster the physical
and psychosocial development of children and youth with a wide
range of disabilities. The camps have been designed for a variety of
purposes. Methods: The descriptive research method with a critical
review of Slovene and English professional and scientific literature was
used. The review was restricted to studies published since 2009 to 2019.
Bibliographic databases CINAHL, Medline and ScienceDirect have been
searched. Results: The activities are therapeutic as well as enjoyable,
which has an effect on mental and physical well-being and encourages
social skill development. The camps provide to the children and youth
a unique opportunity to socialise, expand their social networks, and
develop a sense of belongingness. A safe environment provides new
experience, encourages their independence, and enables them to
effectively combat the stigma. Discussion and conclusions: Therapeutic
camps are extremely beneficial since they target the specific needs and
challenges facing the daily existence of children with disabilities. All the
activities are adapted to the needs of the participants, including outdoor
activities, activities of daily living, while special emphasis is placed on
the instruction in appropriate relaxation techniques, coexistence and
self-care. The activities promote a sense of belongingness since the
participants are integrated into a group of individuals whose members
face similar daily challenges.
Key words: therapeutic camps, disabilities, children, youth, psychosocial
development
Introduction
Disability is defined by The International Classification of Functioning, Disa-
bility and Health as an umbrella term for impairments, activity limitations and
for children and youth with disabilities
Lucija Rojko, Brigita Marc, Karmen Brence, Saša Kastelic, Andrej Starc
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, Zdravstvena pot 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
Introduction: Therapeutic camps are conducted to foster the physical
and psychosocial development of children and youth with a wide
range of disabilities. The camps have been designed for a variety of
purposes. Methods: The descriptive research method with a critical
review of Slovene and English professional and scientific literature was
used. The review was restricted to studies published since 2009 to 2019.
Bibliographic databases CINAHL, Medline and ScienceDirect have been
searched. Results: The activities are therapeutic as well as enjoyable,
which has an effect on mental and physical well-being and encourages
social skill development. The camps provide to the children and youth
a unique opportunity to socialise, expand their social networks, and
develop a sense of belongingness. A safe environment provides new
experience, encourages their independence, and enables them to
effectively combat the stigma. Discussion and conclusions: Therapeutic
camps are extremely beneficial since they target the specific needs and
challenges facing the daily existence of children with disabilities. All the
activities are adapted to the needs of the participants, including outdoor
activities, activities of daily living, while special emphasis is placed on
the instruction in appropriate relaxation techniques, coexistence and
self-care. The activities promote a sense of belongingness since the
participants are integrated into a group of individuals whose members
face similar daily challenges.
Key words: therapeutic camps, disabilities, children, youth, psychosocial
development
Introduction
Disability is defined by The International Classification of Functioning, Disa-
bility and Health as an umbrella term for impairments, activity limitations and
