Therapeutic Summer Camps
Adoptions Together offers summer camp programs designed to help children build self-esteem, practice social skills, explore their identity, and discuss family relationships. Issues around adoption are normalized and participants have a chance to share their feelings and concerns with other children who may be experiencing the same issues.
Horsemanship camps utilize horses as a vehicle for positive change and personal growth. Children spend time observing, grooming, caring for and riding the horses as a means of reinforcing important life skills and lessons. Other activities such as arts and crafts, music, and role plays are integrated into each camp so that participants are actively engaged throughout the day.
We had a great time at our 2011 Horseback Riding Camps.
Check out our photos on Facebook!
2012 Horse Sense Summer Camp for Adoptees
The period of early adolescence can be a highly stressful time marked by struggles related to identify formation and self esteem. The normative issues of early adolescence can be intensified for adopted pre-teens and teens who may be questioning their past, wondering who they are, and feeling like they do not truly belong. This week long camp is designed to help participants build confidence, explore their identity, and improve social skills in order to promote personal growth. Issues around adoption will be normalized and participants will have a chance to share their feelings and concerns with others who are experiencing the same issues. Participants will spend part of each day learning how to groom, care for, and ride the horses as a means of reinforcing important skills and lessons. They will also participate in some experiential “ground” activities with the horses. Horseback riding experience is not required. In addition to riding and working with the horses, music, videos, games, role plays and arts and crafts will be integrated into the camp, ensuring that participants are actively engaged and having fun throughout the day.
Date: August 6th - 10th, 2012
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Place: Great Strides | 26771 Howard Chapel Road |Damascus, MD 20882
Fee: $350 per child
Ideal for Rising 5th – 9th graders; Open to youth ages 10-15.
Group size is limited, so register early.
$50 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration.
My daughter loved this camp! She was adopted at an older age, 8, so for her adoption is actually fairly new territory. It was wonderful to spend time with other adopted children in such a supportive and fun environment. My daughter fell in love with Peppermint, “her” horse, made new friends and explored her thoughts and feelings on being adopted, all as part of this expertly planned, staffed and well run program. We’ll be back!
Through the camp experience, our child was able to learn and articulate some of his thoughts about what adoption means for him. The opportunity to share his story and hear some of the other children’s stories helped shape his thinking about what it means to be a family and to be adopted.
The experience was also beneficial to me as a parent. It gave me an opportunity to learn “in real time” some strategies for better communicating with my child, including how to effectively help him express his emotions and deal with his frustrations.
There was a great balance of activities that allowed the children to express their individuality, gain important leadership skills, build self-confidence, and learn about differences in a positive, respectful, and non-threatening environment. I am grateful that this opportunity was made available to my child and would highly recommend it for other parents and their children.
In addition to horsemanship camps, other camps might be offered that have an art, music, drama, or sports theme. Be sure to check back in the spring to see what is planned!