Building new friendships and breaking stereotypes.

This was the case at 2nd annual Buddy Camp was held June 23-26 (6/23-6/25 at Providence Baptist Church on Daniel Island and 6/26 at the SC Aquarium downtown).  Buddy Camp is an inclusive camp sponsored by Down Syndrome Association of the Lowcountry (DSAL).  

Twenty children attended Buddy Camp – 10 children with Down Syndrome (age 3-6 years) and each child with Down Syndrome invited a “Buddy” to camp (a “Buddy” is a typically developing friend from their neighborhood or school).   

Buddy Camp originated last year when parents involved with DSAL were looking for summer camp options for their children.  Buddy Camp was coordinated again this year by: Tish McAfee and Diane Andrews; MUSC Department of Speech Language Pathology Evelyn Trammell Institute for Voice and Swallowing; Jamie Snape, MUSC Department of Physical Therapy; Suzanne Cherry – Poole, East Cooper Regional Medical Center Physical Therapy and Beth Tarkany, Occupational Therapy private practice.  

The Buddy Camp was sponsored by:  DSAL, MUSC Down Syndrome Clinic, SC Aquarium, Providence Baptist Church, Kindermusik of Charleston – Sheila Lawson, East Cooper Regional Medical Center, Beth Tarkany, Occupational Therapy & Trident Sports Medicine (Allison Dworshak, Physical Therapy & Carey Newlin, Occupational Therapy) — a tremendous collaboration between many professionals in the Charleston community who have a great interest in providing new opportunities for children with Down Syndrome.   

Junior counselors included students from MUSC Speech Language Pathology & Occupational Therapy graduate programs, Bishop England High School, and several colleges (University of Kentucky and St. Louis University).  

Hope Banks returned as a junior counselor again this year.

 Hope is a 15-year-old girl with Down Syndrome who will be attending Bishop England Options Program Fall 2008.   

The campers enjoyed music with Sheila Lawson from Kindermusic, games, crafts, stories, tumble time and developing new friendships.

Buddy Camp ended June 26 with a celebration at the SC Aquarium where family members and friends joined the campers. About 100 people total were in attendance. This is truly an inspirational summer camp that allows children with and without disabilities to attend a fun filled inclusive summer camp and build new friendships.  

Buddy Camp is made possible by the strong collaboration between DSAL and the community – promoting awareness, inclusion and acceptance for individuals with Down Syndrome.   

staff photos by helen ravenel

Pictured from left are camper Henry King, Occupational Therapist Beth Tarkany and camper Ella King

See photos at spotted.moultrienews.com.