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In-home respite
Residential
o Emergency
o Planned
Day programs
Camp
Assisted travel
Support groups
Online support systems
o Social networks (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
o Skype
o Listservs
o Carepages.com
The Many Faces of Respite
Respite is not only for the individual receiving direct
services, but also for the family
Allows primary caregivers to run errands or enjoy
some “me” time
Provides relief to families in the form of a physical
and/or mental break of being a caregiver
Purpose
Respite may not always work on specific goals,
but there are secondary benefits:
o Socialization
o Communication skills
o Community integration (which also effects the
general public)
o Safety skills
o Gross/fine motor skills
o Following directions
o Life skills
o Money management
o Etc…
Benefit to Individual
Relief in knowing your loved one is in
caring/competent hands
Allows parents and other siblings to relate without
distraction or conflict
Reduces internal stress
Allows physical and mental rest
Provides time for catch up things
Allows “date” time for parents
Benefit To Family
Camp provides a fun and exciting atmosphere for the
individual to gain independence, develop skills and
gain additional leisure interests.
Camp provides a structured environment full of activity
and staff support for the individual to be successful.
Camp provides an environment where the individual is
not “different” therefore building self-esteem and self-
confidence.
Camp provides a type of social peer pressure that is
unlike the pressure from a family.
Why Camping as a form of
Respite
.
Rustic cabins
Staff to client ratio 1:2
Accessible paths and buildings (ADA)
200 acres of land in Cactoctin Mountains
66 campers/85 staff
Traditional Camp Structure –
Camp Greentop
Trained and caring staff
Leadership
Highly organized day
Very Structured / Limited Down Time
Activities adapted to ability level
Traditional Camp -
Key Elements for Success
24 hours/day on site RN and Certified Medication
Technicians
Typical Diagnoses
o Autism
o Cerebral Palsy
o Mental Retardation
o Down Syndrome
o Traumatic Brain Injury
Traditional Camp -Nursing Care
Benefits:
o Known therapeutic benefits
o Provides relaxation / reduces spasticity
o Improved balance / trunk control
o Increased self-esteem / self confidence
Strategies
o Comfort level of camper determines
level of activity
From grooming to riding
o Staff / Sidewalkers
Provides safety /comfort for riders
o Campers control horse as much as they
are able
Activities – Horse Program
Benefits:
o Develops teamwork
o Develops gross motor skills
Strategies:
o Provide ample spacing around
individuals
o Team campers appropriately
Activities –
Canoeing/Kayaking/Tubing
Trip alternatives –
o Parks
o Ball Games
o Museums
o Bowling
o Sailing
o Racetrack
o Theatre
Strategies
o Matching shirts
o Small Groups
o Buddy system
Activities – Day Trips
Accessible Pool with ADA ramp
Trained staff
Benefits
o Freeing / unrestrictive movement
o Sensory stimulation / soothing
o Muscle relaxation
o Low-impact activity
Strategies
o Ample staff
o Flotation devices
o Smaller groups
o Comfort and ability levels
Activities - Swimming
Arts and Crafts
o Provide activities appropriate to skill levels
o Use safe materials only
o Variety of options
Campfire activities
o Provide wide area round fire
o Clearly demarcate boundaries
o Entertainment – Skits/Songs/Stories
o Safety!
Activities – Crafts and Campfire
Offsite camping program for higher functioning
children and adults
Age range – 13 and up
Staff to Camper Ratio 1:3
League Pioneers –
Alternative Camp Program
Learn new skills
Focus on socialization and interaction
Helps build peer relationships
Supports independence
Builds self confidence/self esteem
Provides opportunity for leadership
Goal of Pioneer Camp
Typical Diagnoses -
o Autism
o Intellectually Disabled
o ADHD
o PDD/NOS
o Aspergers
Pioneer Camp
Challenges
o Location
o Meals
o Counselors
o Supplies
o Variety of new activities / field trips
o Staff
Pioneer Camp
Allows for a change in scenery for those adults
Travelers have support staff provided based on their
individual needs
Alternative to traditional residential camp
Minimum age requirement - 18
Staff to Camper ratio 1:3
Provides meaningful activity for adults who may not be
interested in a rustic camp experience.
Travel “Camp”
Recent trips included:
o Cruise to Bahamas
o Disney World
o Arizona Dude Ranch
o Visits to Boston, Pittsburgh,
o Myrtle Beach, Seattle
o Nashville, Las Vegas
Travel “Camp”
What is it?
o Provides participants an opportunity to do some job
exploration and still enjoy camp
o Complete various tasks around camp (dining hall set-up/clean-up, deliver laundry, mail, etc.)
Cost
o Offered in ½ summer of whole summer options
o 50% of tuition and get paid for work!
Supervision
o Work Experience coach provides assistance and supervision while working to keep WEA’s on task
o 1:6 staff to WEA ratio
Candidates must complete a job application is same as for regular employment as there is payment for their work when they are on duty
Work Experience Program
Developmental Disabilities Administration
Medicaid Waiver (Autism)
Self Pay
Philanthropic Organizations
Service Organization Sponsorship (Rotary, Knights of
Columbus, etc.)
Various Funding Sources for
the Camp
For All Camping and Therapeutic
Recreation programs
o Staffing plan
o Orientation of staff
o Registration process and information
o Forms (skills check sheet, medical forms, etc.)
o Grouping of campers
o State regulations/licenses
Logistics
For All Camping and Therapeutic Recreation
programs
o Food Service for both Campers and Staff
o Transportation (for day trips and travel camp)
o Nursing /health center support
o Maintenance
Logistics
The guilt factor
Why camp versus other forms of respite?
What happens to the household when your child
goes to camp?
What do you need to tell about your child?
What do you pack?
One Mother’s Experience
Exploring Camps
What do I share with the counselors?
How to prepare your child
Packing
Funny things happen
One Mother’s Experience
?
One Mother’s Experience
?
One Mother’s Experience
