One benefit of the special-needs camp was to give Christina a rare opportunity to be around other kids like her, according to Jean Myers, Christina's mother. She loves going away, she meets up with her friends. It's an intense experience. From that intensity comes friendship, as well as adult role modeling and relationship building. That's true whether it's 5 days or 40 days.
Independence is another benefit that camp can provide.
For example, the mainstream camp gave Christina the chance to be out in the woods for a week without her parents, doctors, or physical therapist. One of my goals was to get her to be independent and get her to do more things herself, for example to dress herself, or how to ask her friends to help. The kids work together - that's been really good for Christina. It also teaches kids to be assertive in problem-solving and communicating needs. And don't overlook the physical benefits of increased activity that camp provides.