Summer Day Camp in Delta for Children and Youth with Disabilities
The Delta Life Skills Summer Program is a six-week summer day camp for children and youth with disabilities. The long summer break can be a challenging time for these children and their families, as many children with disabilities need help to venture beyond their own front doors, the stability of a routine to thrive, and to regularly practice the life skills they learn in school.
The Delta Life Skills Summer Program – the only one of its kind in Delta – bridges the gap with a program in July and August that offers a high staff-to-child ratio, the opportunity to continue learning and practicing life skills, and a chance to have some fun!
In this summer program, kids have fun while they learn!
Our summer day camp program offers daily structure and learning within the framework of fun outings and recreational activities. In the past, campers have visited Playland, Grouse Mountain, the Zoo, Science World, and Big Splash Water Slide Park. They’ve gone swimming, bowling, to the beach, and to movies. They’ve practiced riding on public transit, grocery shopping, and cooking.
Each day, we give participants opportunities to practice a wide range of life skills, such as traffic safety, handling money, personal care, meal preparation and social skills, while they engage with the community or go on fun outings around Metro Vancouver.
The program typically operates from resource classrooms in Delta schools, running from 9am to 3pm each day. We use the resource rooms as our base to create a comfortable, familiar environment for our participants.
Our Parent Handbook outlines the important things families need to know about day-to-day camper life: from what to pack, to toileting expectations, health and wellness, arrival and departure procedures, and behaviour management.
The Summer Program typically starts the first full week in July and runs for six, consecutive weeks.
Subscribe to our mailing list to be the first to know about registration and camp dates.
We reinforce life-long skills through daily activities
Before the program starts, parents pick one main life skill and two supporting skills for their child to work on over the summer. Our staff then plans activities and outings that give the child multiple opportunities to work on that skill. They’re experienced at integrating the life skills each child needs into the fun of daily camp life, so that the kids don’t know they’re “working”.
Whether they’re playing games, planning a trip on public transit, or communicating their needs, our campers are constantly learning and practicing life skills. For example, on the days when we shop for, prepare, and share a meal, participants practice their money-handling skills at the grocery store, meal planning, cooking and cleanup skills, and a range of interpersonal skills.
At the end of the summer, staff give the parents a progress report so that they can share it with their school in September.
My child is new to the program – how will you ensure a fit?
Once your application is approved, our Program Director will arrange a visit to your child’s school to talk to their teacher. They will discuss the application, successful strategies that are being used in the classroom to deal with behavioural issues or transitions, and gather any other information needed to ensure that your child has a great experience in our program.
Interested in joining us for the summer?
Learn more about how to apply.
Want to help Delta kids with disabilities have a great summer?
Learn more about the ways you can donate.
president@deltalifeskills.net
programdirector@deltalifeskills.net
PO Box 18625, Ladner Postal Outlet, Delta, BC V4K 4V7
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