Riley Kids Make Summer Camp Enjoyable

James Sullivan and Andrew Faris

Photo by Linda Karn

(posted July 21)

Children participating in Noble of Indiana Summer Camp had a special day July 16 when friends came from Riley Hospital's Camp About Face to serve as leaders at the Speedway United Methodist Church.

The program, designed for teenagers with Craniofacial birth defects, develops leadership skills by facilitating day camp for the special needs kids. Six leaders from Camp About Face spent the morning working with special needs kids. The activities included an obstacle course that involved putting on a musicians suit and spinning around. Another activity included standing on a 4 x 4 board that involved everyone shuffling around without stepping off the board.

Andrew Faris became involved this year to help train the Craniofacial teenagers to develop leadership skills. The kids are allowed to enter into the leadership program when they turn 14. Fairs explained that during a two-day training academy, they brainstormed ideas to create activities.

Tammy Wanninger, Noble of Indiana director of youth services, said "This is a time when staff can step back and observe. There is a lot of inclusion when the two camps are integrated."

Rita Davis of Noble of Indiana said it was the Broad Ripple Sertoma Club that facilitated the half day integration of the two camps. Sertoma supports Noble and Riley's Hospital for Children Camp About Face.

Special needs camper James Sullivan said he remembered several of the leaders from last year.

Davis said the integration provides a day of creating memories for special needs campers. She said on the very first day of the four week camp, Sullivan was asking when his friends would return, referring to the leaders.

Davis explained that Speedway United Methodist Church has been a great partner to main stream Noble Summer Camp with other day campers. She said they were invited to participate in the July 4th Parade and other programs.

The Noble Summer Camp provides a variety of activities including art and music. The therapists cater programs to the campers' skill levels. She said the program is offered to adults. Many of the adults have artistic talents and their art projects are featured at seven Starbucks locations and the Artsgarden.

A choir has also been formed as well as recreational activities, a walking club, and nutrition club. The nutrition club is designed to teach both children and adults to eat healthy meals.

A handwriting camp is also offered to help people with occupational skills. Wanninger said that it is not limited to people with special needs, but is to improve fine motor skills by working with play dough and tracing letters. It is based on the curriculum titled Handwriting without Tears.