Last Friday at the East Cooper Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant, Down Syndrome Association of the Lowcountry (DSAL) campers were making music.

From the pop hit, “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus to their own version of John Denver’s “Leaving on a Jet Plane” called “The Goodbye Song,” music and laughter were in the air.

Kim Embler, coordinator of the Buddy Camp, said that there are four main areas campers work on—gross motor skills, fine motor skills, communication skills and social skills.

“Music therapy is using music to help a child reach his or her  fullest potential and improve their quality of life,” explained Embler, who owns Palmetto Music Therapy Services.

Some of the kids at the camp were junior volunteers who were helping the younger kids.

“It gave them a sense of purpose to help the younger kids at camp,” Embler said.

What she has seen at camp and heard from the parents of campers is an improvement in self-esteem and forming friendships.

A primary goal of the camp is to provide opportunities for the children with Down Syndrome to achieve success.

However, according to Embler, the camp is about fostering and improving relationships between the camper and the camp buddy.

“The camp is part of DSAL’s mission to promote awareness, inclusion and acceptance of all individuals,” she said.

(Helen Ravenel can be reached at helen@moultrienews.com. )

staff photos by helen ravenel