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Memorial Hospital and Manor's Rehab Department provides an amazing,
fun-filled Summer Day Camp, appropriately called "Camp Joy," for
extraordinary children with physical and
developmental disabilities. Th camp serves the needs of disabled
children, ages 5 to 17, from
all economic and ethnic backgrounds as a continuation of the therapy
offered during the school year. The
therapy received during camp is a continuation of the therapy provided
during the school year by the MHM staff. "Camp JOY" was created when
the MHM therapists noticed that the school aged children with special
needs seemed to decline considerably in regards to their function
during the summer break, often losing much of the progress they had
made during the school year. The staff recognized the need for a
program that would provide motivation for the children to continue
therapy during the summer months, thus the focus on fun-filled
activities that were also therapeutic in nature. As in most rural
areas, many Decatur County children have limited access to summer care,
especially children with disabilities. Like any child, disabled
children just want to enjoy their summer vacation and Camp JOY helps
them do just that. During the camp, the Rehab staff provides physical and occupational therapy to children with various diagnoses, including cerebral palsy, autism, spinal muscular atrophy, sensory integration dysfunction, and developmental delay. The therapists determine specific goals for each child, aimed at improving fine motor skills, gross motor skills, balance/core stabilization, coordination and muscle strengthening/flexibility. Camp JOY engages children and their families in therapeutic horseback riding, swimming, bowling, arts and crafts, and fishing, while providing the necessary therapy. The camp experience ends with an awards ceremony for the campers, parents and staff.
For more information about Camp JOY, please contact the Rehab Department at (229) 243-8124 or lauraw@mh-m.org.
Donations for Camp JOY may be sent to: Camp JOY, Memorial Hospital and Manor, 1500 E. Shotwell Street, Bainbridge, GA 39819.
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