Camp Chatterbox - New Jersey

Kelly Fonner

7/6/2016 4:18 AM

Camp Chatterbox, sponsored by Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, NJ, is a weeklong overnight camp for children and young adults, ages 5-22, who use technology such as iPads with AAC Apps, Eye-Gaze devices or Tobii/DynaVox or PRC devices to communicate. Camp Chatterbox offers three unique programs – aFamily Program for children ages 5 – 15, a Transitional Program for campers 15 - 22 who need support in advancing to an independent camper and an Independent Camper Program for teens and young adults ages 15-22. All Campers must be able to participate in the program without requiring one-on-one behavioral support.

The Family Program program targets campers from ages 5 - 15 seeking a week-long family camp experience. Parents and siblings join their AAC camper at Chatterbox and actively participate in the camp program as a family. Parents and siblings sleep in the cabins with campers. Several families are grouped together to provide increased opportunities for spontaneous peer interaction. The Family Program widens the scope of training opportunities for parents, and helps siblings become an integral part of the camp program. Siblings must be between 7-15 years old and not be educationally classified.

A range of parent training sessions are scheduled each day. Sessions may include vendor trainings as well as lectures on topics related to language development and communication. Parents participate in evening activities to learn AAC strategies and to just have fun with the campers! Parents benefit from networking with parents and staff at evening networking sessions. There is a "Parent Night Out" held mid-week at a local restaurant. This not only provides parents with the opportunity to have some adult food, but creates a special networking environment.

Some teens and young who use AAC devices may have difficulty separating from their parents for an extended period of time. Others may require significant care that limits their independence. The Transitional Program targets children, ages 15 - 22, who are using an AAC device to support their communicating needs and can benefit from intervention to improve their communicative competence and start them on the road to independence. These young adults may attend camp with their parents. The campers will reside in cabins with age-appropriate peers. Parents will reside in cabins with other parents. Parents may choose to provide the daily care to their child or elect to enable their children to begin to direct their care with an assigned counselor.

In the Independent camper program, campers, aged 10 and older, and young adults are encouraged to use their AAC devices to communicate with unfamiliar listeners, directing their care and advocating for their needs. Daily activities help to build critical thinking skills, problem solving skills and learning to accept responsibilities for one’s schedule and actions. There are plenty of opportunities for just plain old fun! Depending upon their skills and goals, Campers in this program may have the opportunity to serve as a mentor for younger campers enrolled in the Family or Transitional Programs.

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