Our autism program is so much fun for our campers and staff! We do all the same activities that a typical session does (swimming, archery, boating, ropes course and more), and we structure those activities so they are accessible for campers with autism. Each activity begins with a thorough explanation of what to do, how long it will last, and what to do if someone doesn’t want to participate. Campers have customized visual schedules and/ or written lists of what they will be doing, and there are tons of opportunities for choices throughout the day. Our excellent program leaders plan sensory stations at each area, so that campers who appreciate bubbles, water, sand, and music can experience those activities throughout their day.
Campers are organized into age groups, and each counselor is matched up with either one or two campers, whom they are responsible for the session. Age groups generally rotate through the schedule as a group, although campers can ‘opt out’ of activities that they really don’t like so that a camper who is not partial to nature hikes, for example, can choose to visit the bouncy house with their counselor during that time.
We sleep in dorm-style rooms with one or two other campers in a room together, and counselors across the hall, or right next door. A few staff members maintain hallway supervision all night, in case anyone wakes up and needs help. We eat family-style in a cafeteria, and we accommodate many different eating styles, including gluten-free, casein-free diets.
The main idea of our camp program is for everyone to enjoy themselves! We find that campers return home more confident, more independent, and with more friends, because we encourage them to be proud of who they are, and what they can do. Join us, and see what all the hype is about!
Dragonfly Forest is serving kids with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Our
goal is to provide an exhilarating, challenging, and nurturing camp experience
through which children gain a greater sense of independence, self-esteem, and
self-reliance. Dragonfly Forest aspires to maximize the beneficial therapeutic
impact of camp with a state-of-the-art facility and an innovative camp program
which integrates peer support and outdoor adventure with high quality medical
care, supervision, and education.
While constant vigilance is given to the medical needs of the campers, the
trappings of a medical presence are avoided everywhere. Our infirmary is located
in the living area of camp has a beautiful outdoor porch and is called “The
Getaway.” The Getaway is devoid of the steely look and antiseptic smell.
Clad in t-shirts and shorts, medical personnel made up of volunteer nurses and
doctors (from some of the areas largest pediatric hospitals) provide
round-the-clock medical coverage for our campers.
There is one adult to every two campers and medical staff who join kids in their
cabins and throughout their daily activities. This also gives our
medical staff a chance to interact with their patients in a unique way compared
to the traditional doctors’ offices and hospitals. Dragonfly Forest is
staffed by some of this area’s top medical specialty professionals, who live at
the camp throughout each session.
Our 10 housing units each designed to house no more than twelve campers and six
counselors are located directly above The Getaway. Each counselor is
equipped with professional radios that connect them to our medical staff
instantaneously if a problem arises. In addition, each unit has a golf
cart to help transport a sick child who needs immediate medical care.
As you walk around our CAMPus, one hardly notices that walkways end in access
ramps and that forest trails are smooth enough for wheelchairs and motorized
golf carts. There are elevators in any multi-story buildings and a set of
wide green ball fields where a helicopter can land in case of an emergency.
Dragonfly Forest has made sure that it has a specially heated swimming pool
which permits campers to swim without the fear of impending painful events.
Our facility is less than 15 minutes away from The Chester County Hospital (with
its CHOP Connection) which is aware of our campers. Our staff has a direct
line to the Emergency Room and works hand in hand with the hospital to get a
camper who has to leave camp back to our program in the shortest time possible.
The camp has its own transportation capabilities, and we have built partnerships
with the local police, fire departments, 911 Call Center, and Ambulance
providers. Each group is thoroughly briefed before the start of season so
they are ready to handle any emergencies that we may encounter.
This year we are offering a Day Camp version of our autism
program. While we have found that most children we select to be part of the
Autism Program can handle being in a Residential Program, we know that some
parents may not be ready to have their children in this type of program. Over
80% of the kids who come to our Residential Program have never spent a night
away from home, and yet they thrive in our environment. To be selected for our Day
Camp programs Parents and our Program Coordinator will discuss if their child is
ready for the residential program or will benefit from a step progression from
the Day Camp to the Residential Program.
Our Day Program operates from 09:00 AM to 04:00 PM, and parents are responsible
for transportation to and from camp. We do all the same activities that a typical session does (swimming, archery, boating, ropes course and more), and we structure those activities so they are accessible for campers with autism. Each activity begins with a thorough explanation of what to do, how long it will last, and what to do if someone doesn’t want to participate. Campers have customized visual schedules and/ or written lists of what they will be doing, and there are tons of opportunities for choices throughout the day. Our excellent program leaders plan sensory stations at each area, so that campers who appreciate bubbles, water, sand, and music can experience those activities throughout their day.
Campers are organized into age groups, and each counselor is matched up with either one or two campers, whom they are responsible for the session. Age groups generally rotate through the schedule as a group, although campers can ‘opt out’ of activities that they really don’t like so that a camper who is not partial to nature hikes, for example, can choose to visit the bouncy house with their counselor during that time.
We provide lunch each day, and we eat family-style in a cafeteria, and we accommodate many different eating styles, including gluten-free, casein-free diets.
The main idea of our camp program is for everyone to enjoy themselves!
The Hematology Session is for kids with Hemophilia and Sickle Cell
Disease. Our goal is to provide an exhilarating, challenging,
and nurturing camp experience through which children gain a greater sense of
independence, self-esteem, and self-reliance. Dragonfly Forest aspires to
maximize the beneficial therapeutic impact of camp with a state-of-the-art
facility and an innovative camp program which integrates peer support and
outdoor adventure with high quality medical care, supervision, and education.
While constant vigilance is given to the medical needs of the campers, the
trappings of a medical presence are avoided everywhere. Our infirmary is located
in the living area of camp has a beautiful outdoor porch and is called “The
Getaway.” The Getaway is devoid of the steely look and antiseptic smell.
Clad in t-shirts and shorts, medical personnel made up of volunteer nurses and
doctors (from some of the areas largest pediatric hospitals) provide
round-the-clock medical coverage for our campers. For this session we have
two separate medical teams each who specialize in their respective disease
states.
There is one adult to every two campers and medical staff who join kids in their
cabins and throughout their daily activities. This also gives our
medical staff a chance to interact with their patients in a unique way compared
to the traditional doctors’ offices and hospitals. Dragonfly Forest is
staffed by some of this area’s top medical specialty professionals, who live at
the camp throughout each session.
Our 10 housing units each designed to house no more than twelve campers and six
counselors are located directly above The Getaway. Each counselor is
equipped with professional radios that connect them to our medical staff
instantaneously if a problem arises. In addition, each unit has a golf
cart to help transport a sick child who needs immediate medical care.
As you walk around our CAMPus, one hardly notices that walkways end in access
ramps and that forest trails are smooth enough for wheelchairs and motorized
golf carts. There are elevators in any multi-story buildings and a set of
wide green ball fields where a helicopter can land in case of an emergency.
Dragonfly Forest has made sure that it has a specially heated swimming pool
which permits campers to swim without the fear of impending painful events.
Our facility is less than 15 minutes away from The Chester County Hospital (with
its CHOP Connection) which is aware of our campers. Our staff has a direct
line to the Emergency Room and works hand in hand with the hospital to get a
camper who has to leave camp back to our program in the shortest time possible.
The camp has its own transportation capabilities, and we have built partnerships
with the local police, fire departments, 911 Call Center, and Ambulance
providers. Each group is thoroughly briefed before the start of season so
they are ready to handle any emergencies that we may encounter.
This program is for campers age 7 to 14.
***** THIS SESSION IS CURRENTLY CLOSED. IF YOU WISH TO BE PUT ON THE WAITING
LIST CONTACT US AT
INFO@DRAGONFLYFOREST.ORG *****
This session is for kids with Respiratory and/or Persistent
Asthma. This session is held in conjunction with the American Lung
Association of PA. Our goal is to provide an exhilarating, challenging,
and nurturing camp experience through which children gain a greater sense of
independence, self-esteem, and self-reliance. Dragonfly Forest aspires to
maximize the beneficial therapeutic impact of camp with a state-of-the-art
facility and an innovative camp program which integrates peer support and
outdoor adventure with high quality medical care, supervision, and education.
While constant vigilance is given to the medical needs of the campers, the
trappings of a medical presence are avoided everywhere. Our infirmary is located
in the living area of camp has a beautiful outdoor porch and is called “The
Getaway.” The Getaway is devoid of the steely look and antiseptic smell.
Clad in t-shirts and shorts, medical personnel made up of volunteer nurses,
respiratory therapists and doctors (from some of the areas largest pediatric
hospitals) provide round-the-clock medical coverage for our campers.
There is one adult to every two campers and medical staff who join kids in their
cabins and throughout their daily activities. This also gives our
medical staff a chance to interact with their patients in a unique way compared
to the traditional doctors’ offices and hospitals. Dragonfly Forest is
staffed by some of this area’s top medical specialty professionals, who live at
the camp throughout each session.
Our 10 housing units each designed to house no more than twelve campers and six
counselors are located directly above The Getaway. Each counselor is
equipped with professional radios that connect them to our medical staff
instantaneously if a problem arises. In addition, each unit has a golf
cart to help transport a sick child who needs immediate medical care.
As you walk around our CAMPus, one hardly notices that walkways end in access
ramps and that forest trails are smooth enough for wheelchairs and motorized
golf carts. There are elevators in any multi-story buildings and a set of
wide green ball fields where a helicopter can land in case of an emergency.
Dragonfly Forest has made sure that it has a specially heated swimming pool
which permits campers to swim without the fear of impending painful events.
Our facility is less than 15 minutes away from The Chester County Hospital (with
its CHOP Connection) which is aware of our campers. Our staff has a direct
line to the Emergency Room and works hand in hand with the hospital to get a
camper who has to leave camp back to our program in the shortest time possible.
The camp has its own transportation capabilities, and we have built partnerships
with the local police, fire departments, 911 Call Center, and Ambulance
providers. Each group is thoroughly briefed before the start of season so
they are ready to handle any emergencies that we may encounter.
This program is typically for participants age 15 to 17.
The purpose of The Leadership Program is to continue to serve campers who are
typically age 15, 16, and 17 years of age. This program is based on
recreation and teambuilding, leadership development, and service back to the
camp community.
Development through the program is based on the ability of the participant to
demonstrate the ability to execute the skills necessary to move to the next
level. Type typical progression is Age 15 & 16 - Leadership Program and Age 17
- Junior Counselor Level. However, Dragonfly will continue to work with a
TLP participant to help them develop the necessary skills before moving to the
next level of development.
You must be at least 18 years of age to
participate in this program
We are excited that you are interested in joining the Summer
of 2010 Staff Team. Our staff come from all over the country and are some
of the best people in the world.
Paid Staff make a commitment to all
sessions of Dragonfly Forest. This year in
honor of our 5th Season of Camp we will be having 5 Sessions of Camp. This is a
commitment from June 16th to July 23rd. Our last day for Close Down/Staff
Goodbye Party is on July 22nd. You can stay on CAMPus until July 23rd.
Volunteer counselors are
an integral part of our summer program. These men and women serve for a full
camp session or as a day volunteer. As a Full Camp Session Volunteer you
are assigned to one of our cabins, together with full-time counselors and
campers. Day Volunteers will work with our Volunteer Coordinator to
determine where they can be the most help. Volunteer counselors
participate in the full range of camp activities, assisting our campers in
reaching our main goal - having FUN!!!
