jjacob@themeridianstar.com
For the past eight years, autistic children in Mississippi have been finding their summer fun at Camp Kaleidoscope, a summer camp program sponsored by Together Enhancing Autism Awareness in Mississippi (TEAAM), and held at Timber Creek Camp in Scott County.
At Camp Kaleidoscope, autistic children between the ages of seven and seventeen enjoy summer activities like swimming and horseback riding with both autistic and typical peers.
"The main thing is to have fun," camp director Dr. Mark Yeager said, "but there are some educational parts of it for the kids that are older."
Another primary goal of the camp, Yeager said, is for campers to make friends, which is why both autistic children and their typical peers attend. "Their role," Yeager said of the typical campers,"is to be there and do the same thing the other kids are doing, and just to make friends."
The camp, which is held each year at the end of June, is funded by TEAAM and a grant from the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. Thanks to this funding, parents have to pay only $35 for their children to attend one of the 4-day sessions.
One of the greatest benefits of the camp is the profusion of counselors, Yeager said. Psychology students from all over the world, teachers, therapists, and speech pathologists all volunteer their time for the camp, devoting themselves to making sure the campers stay happy and comfortable. They have full-time trained behavioral intervention specialists on site to make sure the kids don't get overwhelmed with anxiety or sensory problems.
"We have a lot of specialized staff," Yeager said, "who help keep (the campers) in the mix of camp without missing out of any of the fun.
The camp accommodates about 130 kids each year. With 150 to 180 applications every year, Yeager said he is trying to find a way to accommodate even more children in the future.
To donate to the camp or to volunteer for one of next year's sessions, contact TEAAM at 1-866-993-2437, or visit the TEAAM website at www.teaam.org, or the Camp Kaleidoscope website at www.campkaleidoscope.org.
Local News
Scott County summer camp helps autistic children
- Local News
-
-
In memory of those who died
A 21-gun salute is a common part of any Memorial Day program.
But the release of 21 snow white doves representing the peace we enjoy today because of those who have fallen in battle was a rare treat of the Second Annual Memorial Day Program held Monday afternoon at Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian. -
Choctaw Expressions to be showcased
The Mississippi Craft Center will present Choctaw Expressions as the featured cultural and historical exhibit for the month of June.
The presentation will showcase the rich and unique heritage of the Mississippi Choctaw Indians with traditional cultural arts and artifacts. The exhibition is set to open to the public on Friday, June 1 at 10 a.m. The Mississippi Craft Center, located in Ridgeland, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission and will highlight this unique event through June 30. -
Earth’s Bounty Festival Saturday
Residents in the Meridian area will have the opportunity to purchase locally grown or made products throughout the summer and fall through the Earth’s Bounty festival.
The expanded version of the current farmer's market will take place on the first Saturday of every month from June-November at Singing Brakeman Park in Meridian near Union Station. -
WWI soldier’s family receives Purple Heart
About three weeks before the end of WW I, two young officers with the 320 Machine Gun Battalion crept through the battered moonscape of France on a mission to find new positions for their weapons.
-
Man dies of gunshot wound
Investigators with the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department are investigating a shooting incident that occurred Saturday morning in which one person died.
- Marriages & Divorces: Sunday, May 27, 2012
-
Leading Edges uses technology to enhance advertising
If local advertising agency Leading Edges has its way, pretty soon you will be using your iPhone or iPad to bring its clients' ads to life.
-
Meridian soldier to receive posthumous Purple Heart
- Partnership in place for safety blitz
-
Keeping time with the Disabled American Veterans
When you are responsible for transporting area veterans to Jackson to meet their medical appointments, you better be on time.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
