Set BC and BC Easter Seals Camps Presents the Cool Communicators @ Camp!

These are week long integrated programs for Communication Device Users.  This is a chance for communication device users to come and experience the fun of summer camp while integrating with other campers with disabilities.

A team of Speech Language Pathologists will be at camp during these weeks to help support campers their communication devices.

Camps will be held at each of the 3 BC Easter Seals Camps: Camp Shawnigan (Week 1), Camp Winfield (Week 3), Camp Squamish (Week 4).  Please see dates for information about the session dates for this summer.  These weeks will be open to the whole Easter Seals Community, not just communication device users.

Application Process:

1) All campers must register for camp by completing an Easter Seals Camper Application.  Communication device users will also need to complete a Cool Communicators Communication Survey

2) As of the first Monday in April the camper application will become available on the website.  Families will indicate on the application form that they would like to register their camper for the Cool Communicators’ week and complete and submit the Communication Survey.

Please see application process for more details.

Goals of Cool Communicators @ Camp

This is a camp environment and by its very nature no direct therapy with the campers, formal reports, or intensive device training will be provided.  Our goals are:

1) To provide opportunities for campers to use their communication devices in a fun, fast- paced integrated camp environment, with the support of a team of Speech Language Pathologists

2) To promote the use of communication devices in as many camp activities as possible

3) To promote familiarity with communication devices and effective communication strategies with all campers and adults

The role of the Speech Language Pathologist support team is to assist camp personnel and campers with device use and programming, implementation of communication strategies in all camp activities, assistance in planning activities to promote the development of communication skills in all campers and to encourage and expect campers to use their communication devices as much as possible.   SET-BC assists with the organization and technical support for this camp and is supported by a team of community-based professionals.  Those with communication devices from other agencies are welcome.

Please note:

• Support for OTHER SETBC devices (laptops etc) will not be provided at these camps.  Please do not send these devices to camp.

• Support for communication devices that are not provided through SETBC will be provided - please help us by providing as much information as possible in advance about the device your camper will be bringing to camp!

Camper expectations:

- the camper’s team will need to complete and submit a Communication Survey in addition to the Easter Seals Camp Application form

· the camper needs to come to camp with his/her device working and up-to-date and with all attachments; a pre-camp backup needs to be kept at home

· the camper’s team will need to establish a clearly-stated, achievable communication goal for camp and ensure that the camper is aware of this goal

· the camper’s team will need to pre-program the device with specified camp vocabulary (SLP support teams will contact teams in advance to assist with programming as needed)