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June 30, 2003

Camp sheds light on fun

Children with autism gain learning experience

LAWRENCE R WESTON, Estero

By Andrea Stetson

Special to the News-Press

There’s a bike rodeo, field day, a trip to the zoo, an art project about panthers and lots of time on the playground.

Camp Sunrise in North Naples might sound like your average day camp, but it’s a special camp for special children aimed at teaching them through fun experiences.

The two-week Camp Sunrise is made possible solely by donations from the John Maxwell Biasco Foundation for Children with Autism and from local businesses and the public.

For the 53 children ages 4-15 it’s just a lot of fun and games. For their parents it’s a short break and a chance for their children to learn social and motor skills in a non-academic setting.

For example, before the bike rodeo a speech therapist goes over bicycle terms with the youngsters. The rodeo itself will help campers with their motor skills.

Field Day will teach campers about working together as well as again help with motor skills.

Panther day was aimed at teaching campers social skills. Students from FGCU’s Wings of Hope Program led by Ricky Pires do a panther program for fourth-graders throughout Southwest Florida.

This was the first time they did the event for children with autism. Pires said she had to revamp the program to steer away from lots of facts and more toward visual lessons. Youngsters spent the morning making panther masks and learning a little bit about the endangered species.

“Oooh look how big,” said Claudia Gorz, 12, as she was shown a picture of a male panther. “Oh look spots,” she added with enthusiasm as she held a stuffed baby panther kitten.

Camp director Anne Allen said it’s a great activity for the young campers.

“They are very visual learners, and there’s a lot of visual to this,” Allen said.

“It gives them the opportunity to be exposed to new people and new activities. We don’t pull the kids out for therapy. We integrate it into the environment.”

Allen said many new campers at first fear it will be like going to school. The camp is held at Vineyards Elementary School in North Naples. But once the activities begin the youngster realize it’s not hard work, just lots of fun.

Parent Patti Byers said that’s the best part of the camp. She is sending her son Cole, 6, to Camp Sunrise.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the kids,” Byers said. “When he came home he was tired and happy. He came home smiling so I know he had a wonderful day.”

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