Page 157 - Petelin, Ana, et al. 2019. Eds. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of Children and Adolescents. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 157
the effort to attain long-term positive psychological change in the function- the effects of therapeutic camps for children and youth with disabilities 155
ing and well-being of children with chronic diseases, delivering and reinforc-
ing the same, consistent ‘camp philosophy’ (inclusion, participation, self-es-
teem, mastery and independence) to patients during their routine clinic visits
to hospital throughout the year and inpatient stays, may be a feasible way to re-
inforce the lessons learned from camp and derive long-term positive psychoso-
cial change. For instance, if camp programmers and hospital clinicians broad-
en the purview of camp, lessons that reinforce the camp philosophy could be
routinely delivered during regular clinic visits and inpatient hospitalizations
(Moola et al., 2013).
Discussion
Children and youth, parents and staff perceive benefits from camp attendance,
including companionship and belonging (Kornhaber et al., 2019). It is positive,
because children and youth in that camps are well supervised and they have all
the medical support needed. The children and youth after the camp take more
care of themselves, are more independent and have fun at the same time, they
are feeling braver and not like an outcast because through the camp they get
to know more peers with the same disabilities (White et al., 2016). Camps also
fosters independence, inspires confidence, builds self-esteem and enriches the
lives of children with serious disabilities (Victory Junction, 2019). Therapeutic
camps provide children or youth and their caregivers a sense of empowerment
as they offer an environment to unite, support and empower one another. For
all the children and youth the camps are represents a safe environment where
they feel accepted (Kornhabler et al., 2019). Camps offer the chance to learn in-
dependent living, communication, and social interaction skills as well as to im-
prove health-related quality of life (Devine et al., 2015). Therapeutic camp phi-
losophy could also be useful for pediatric patients during their treatment due
to its positive psychosocial effect (Moola et al., 2013).
Conclusion
Therapeutic camps have been considered as effective environment for improv-
ing psychosocial well-being of children and youth with disabilities. They tar-
get the specific needs and challenges facing the daily existence of children and
youth through the improvement of confidence, self-esteem, social and coping
skills. Children and youth with disabilities benefit from the participation in
therapeutic camps. They experience different social situations and are perform-
ing daily tasks in a safe, inclusive and supportive environment. This environ-
ment is encouraging because camp attendees can participate in free and unre-
stricted activities, socialise with their peers, they can attend different sports,
making arts and crafts, musical workshops, team activities and more. The ef-
fects of therapeutic camps are positive also for parents and caregivers of camp
attendees because it improves independence of the children, reduces stress for
ing and well-being of children with chronic diseases, delivering and reinforc-
ing the same, consistent ‘camp philosophy’ (inclusion, participation, self-es-
teem, mastery and independence) to patients during their routine clinic visits
to hospital throughout the year and inpatient stays, may be a feasible way to re-
inforce the lessons learned from camp and derive long-term positive psychoso-
cial change. For instance, if camp programmers and hospital clinicians broad-
en the purview of camp, lessons that reinforce the camp philosophy could be
routinely delivered during regular clinic visits and inpatient hospitalizations
(Moola et al., 2013).
Discussion
Children and youth, parents and staff perceive benefits from camp attendance,
including companionship and belonging (Kornhaber et al., 2019). It is positive,
because children and youth in that camps are well supervised and they have all
the medical support needed. The children and youth after the camp take more
care of themselves, are more independent and have fun at the same time, they
are feeling braver and not like an outcast because through the camp they get
to know more peers with the same disabilities (White et al., 2016). Camps also
fosters independence, inspires confidence, builds self-esteem and enriches the
lives of children with serious disabilities (Victory Junction, 2019). Therapeutic
camps provide children or youth and their caregivers a sense of empowerment
as they offer an environment to unite, support and empower one another. For
all the children and youth the camps are represents a safe environment where
they feel accepted (Kornhabler et al., 2019). Camps offer the chance to learn in-
dependent living, communication, and social interaction skills as well as to im-
prove health-related quality of life (Devine et al., 2015). Therapeutic camp phi-
losophy could also be useful for pediatric patients during their treatment due
to its positive psychosocial effect (Moola et al., 2013).
Conclusion
Therapeutic camps have been considered as effective environment for improv-
ing psychosocial well-being of children and youth with disabilities. They tar-
get the specific needs and challenges facing the daily existence of children and
youth through the improvement of confidence, self-esteem, social and coping
skills. Children and youth with disabilities benefit from the participation in
therapeutic camps. They experience different social situations and are perform-
ing daily tasks in a safe, inclusive and supportive environment. This environ-
ment is encouraging because camp attendees can participate in free and unre-
stricted activities, socialise with their peers, they can attend different sports,
making arts and crafts, musical workshops, team activities and more. The ef-
fects of therapeutic camps are positive also for parents and caregivers of camp
attendees because it improves independence of the children, reduces stress for
