Overview

At POWER Play Kids Camp, we empower children through play and collaborative fun to heighten their social intelligence using mindful actions, critical thinking, and problem solving.
POWER Play Kids Camp also strives to develop campers' social-emotional competencies, which will emPOWER them to develop self-awareness and self-confidence, learn how to manage difficult emotions, develop emotional acuity, and build resilience through their successes and failures.
Our camp involves learning about thoughts and feelings, thinking about others, being part of and collaborating in a group, and developing friendships. Camp also targets self-regulatory control and developing an awareness of various energy and emotional levels.
Camp starts at 9:00 am with a carpool lane that usually occurs in front of the outdoor natural play space. The camp coaches are available to welcome your child to camp, assist them to get out of the car with their belongings, and to enter play with new friends.
After some free playtime, a camp meeting is organized to share The Camp News describing the plan for the day and introducing the concepts behind P-O-W-E-R. Every day, a different letter and/or skill is emphasized in the daily plan. POWER skills across more specific social and emotional nuances within age appropriate topics are introduced to campers during break out discussion groups.
An active structured activity follows the meeting where the children will be given opportunity to practice social thinking, teamwork, recognizing their emotional state and adjusting their energy level.
Snack typically follows and occurs inside or under a canopy of trees to cool down, rest and prepare for water play. Collaborative snack preparation activities may be facilitated to allow campers to practice problem solving, listening, following directions and "thinking of others".
During water play, shallow pools, water slides, and large bounce structures are available. Creek hikes, obstacle courses, and other sport-based activities are also offered. In addition, Mad Science and textured stations are available to explore as alternatives.
Lunch follows and is typically held indoors in a picnic style manner. Campers gather in spontaneous groups to socialize with support provided as needed.
After lunch, quieter structured activities are available in small groups. These may include board games, creating art, coloring, or sculpting within the IMAGINATION station. Other projects may include collaborating with a peer to perform in the weekly Talent Show or adding details to a graffiti wall, referred to as the "We" Wall, where campers can post information about themselves.
Extended day afternoon campers participate in additional structured activities to practice social thinking, teamwork, recognizing their emotional state and adjusting their energy level. These activities typically occur outside and within natural settings; however if the forecast is unfavorable, then indoor afternoon activities are planned. These may include relay races, small group discussions, watching short video clips that highlight a POWER skill or concept that fosters social intelligence, or engaging in problem solving challenges. Unstructured free time is also offered during the afternoon hours to allow campers to practice initiating play ideas, sustaining social play, and navigating the dynamic and unexpected interactive situations that spontaneously emerge while amongst peers.
At POWER Play, campers enjoy a variety of classic camp activities, including crafts, scavenger hunts, sports, water play, unstructured playground time, and STEM-based projects. Twice a week, they get to play on large inflatable structures, such as a ninja obstacle course or a water slide. One of the campers' favorite activities happens every Wednesday: the restaurant challenge! In groups, they work together to set up, decorate, and clean up their own "restaurant." Campers take lunch orders, prepare meals, and serve food to each other. On Fridays, campers explore Relaxation Stations (see letter" R" under POWER Skills for more details). Extended day campers also participate in special club activities, which may include hiking, clay art, watercolor painting, street hockey, cooking, or board games. Each morning, soon after arrival, all campers gather for a camp-wide meeting called The News. During this time, campers learn about POWER skills through fun skits and visuals – often, they get to take part in the skits themselves.
We maintain a low child to coach ratio (no more than 6 children to 1 adult/coach), which allows staff to offer individualized attention to each child and create small groups. Camp is co-directed by Jane Rutt, OTR/L, and Melanie Bielski, M.S. CCC-SLP, who participate in and lead activities. Experienced coaches, teachers and GWU graduate students studying speech-language pathology serve as coaches. High school and middle school students also join our camp to serve as assistants and play peers.

Additional Information

Each child will receive a camp T-shirt, which we encourage them to wear every day. They should also bring a backpack with the following items inside – extra change of clothes, sunscreen, bathing suit, and towel. In addition, please send in a nut free lunch and water bottle. All personal items must be labeled to assist with organization.