SUMMARY OF PROGRAMS - 2003

“Kids-On-The-Go!” is a specifically designed program for children between the ages of 5-18 years who have sustained a traumatic brain injury. Due to the problems they encounter after their injuries, students have often experienced significant challenges returning to school. “Kids-On-The-Go!” provides a fun, educationally-based program in which campers can develop and maintain their skills over the summer, while developing a network of new friends.

The students participate in a morning program each day designed to address reading (decoding and comprehension), writing, spelling, mathematics, science and social studies through a variety of theme-based and interactive activities. Older students will also focus on study skills and test-taking strategies. The rehabilitation programs at “Kids- On-The-Go!” are designed to complement and support existing rehabilitation programs in which the students regularly participate. Skill development and maintenance is the key and students are supported in achieving in all areas of the program through individualized and small-group instruction.

Afternoons at “Kids-On-The-Go!” are packed with challenges as students participate in a variety of both indoor and outdoor physical activities. “Crafty kids” will enjoy creating interesting keepsake treasures and theme-based songs and musical games offer another change of pace. Always a popular feature of the program is swimming at the community pool.

 

1. When are the sessions? “Kids-On-The-Go!”  Summer Program operates daily from Monday, July 7 to Friday, August 29, 2003. Summer sessions run in two-week, theme-based blocks. Sessions begins at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. each day. The cost is $700.00 per week, inclusive of all snacks and lunches.   This cost also includes instruction and materials pertaining to all academic, recreational and life skills related program activities, as well as participation in multidisciplinary therapies (occupational therapy; physiotherapy; speech-language therapy), community outings and swimming sessions. 2. Who participates in “Kids-On-The-Go”?“Kids-On-The-Go!” participants vary in age. They come from all over Southern Ontario and are eager to develop and renew friendships during the summer break. They share a common bond in having sustained a traumatic brain injury as well as having overcome obstacles and challenges presented upon their return to school. Students are grouped with peers of a similar age. However, the large group meets for lunch, recreational activities and swimming. Students may wish to invite a friend or sibling to attend the program. The result is a wonderful union of ability levels, interests and personalities!  There is a fee of $20 per day for participation in program activities by a sibling or friend. This does not include the cost for community outings (i.e. bowling).  Please contact the Executive Director, Colleen Boyce, to discuss availability and suitability regarding participation by a camper’s sibling or friend. 3. Who are the staff at “Kids-On-The-Go”? “Kids-On-The-Go!” staff members are certified teachers with special education background as well as rehabilitation therapists with experience in transdisciplinary treatment. All staff members have experience working with and educating students with traumatic brain injuries and are members of NRIO’s rehabilitation team. All staff members are required to have current first aid and C.P.R. training and are knowledgeable in emergency procedures, behaviour management, social skills development and supported independence. Prior to the summer program, staff members meet to review individual registration/information forms in order to become familiar with each student’s strengths and needs.  Individualized educational programming is prepared, based on the individual’s age, skill level and learning style. As a team, NRIO’s Physiotherapist, Speech-Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist and School Re-Entry Specialists discuss participants and plan an effective and exciting program aimed at developing academic, cognitive, physical, social and communication skills. 4. Where is the “Kids-On-The-Go” camp? “Kids-On-The-Go!” summer program operates at NRIO’s Etobicoke site at 59 Beaver Bend Crescent. Our spacious and attractive homelike setting on a half-acre lot provides the perfect atmosphere for our summer activities. Our facility is fully accessible and includes a large, separate teaching/activity area. Medical supplies are stored in a fully-stocked first aid kit and medications are kept in a locked cabinet. The kitchen is also fully stocked for cooking/baking activities! An adapted/accessible washroom is located on the first floor. 5. What equipment is provided/needed? “Kids-On-The-Go” is outfitted with all program resources.  Activity rooms are supplied with all learning materials.  Craft supplies, games, sports equipment, and pool supplies are in the inventory.  Medical supplies are stored in a fully stocked first aid kit.  For transportation, well maintained vehicles are available and an accessible van can be accessed on an as needed basis. 6. What about lunches? Due to diversity in dietary likes/dislikes, customs and nutritional needs, campers are required to bring a lunch each day. Nutritious snacks and beverages (juice, milk) will be provided by “Kids-On-The-Go!” Please ensure that any food-related allergies are recorded on the “Information” form, as a component of our life skills program involves baking. 7. What are the field trips all about? Students will participate in decision-making with respect to a full-day field trip during the course of each two-week session. Interests and abilities are taken into consideration and staff members endeavour to provide the students with a unique experience within the community which offers them an opportunity to generalize skills and strategies while practising social skills.

 

 

For further information, please contact Colleen Boyce at (416)231-4358 Ext. 222. Completed registration forms should be forwarded to nrio by fax at 416-231-9982 or by mail by Friday, May 30, 2003 to allow time for confirmation of the student’s acceptance in the program.

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The following two-week sessions are offered in the “Kids-On-The-Go!” Summer Program 2003:

 

 

1. WRITERS’ WORKSHOP   JULY 7-18, 2003
(a) “Write On!”
This session addresses language skills with a focus on written expression, as identified through the Ontario Curriculum. Activities are designed for students between the ages of 5 and 10, and include skill development in the communication of thoughts and ideas to others in a clear and effective way. Also emphasized is vocabulary development, spelling and grammatical accuracy.

 

Through individualized and small-group reading, story writing, drama/story-telling and music activities, the students will develop a variety of skills appropriate to their level of academic achievement. 

Each student will produce a piece of writing incorporating all of the concepts studied which will be professionally bound in hard cover form.

(b)  “The Write Stuff!”
This session addresses skill development appropriate to higher elementary grades, middle school and secondary school. Activities are designed for students 11 years of age or older. Writing activities focus on the effective communication of ideas and information for a variety of purposes. Students will be guided in producing pieces of writing using a variety of forms (e.g. descriptive, expository, persuasive, research) with emphasis on the editing process, as outlined in the Ontario curriculum. Students will also learn the organizational and planning skills required to effectively complete an Independent Study Unit (ISU).

Drama and music activities will be used to enhance the student’s enthusiasm for writing. By the completion of the two-week session, each student will have produced a “model” essay to use as future reference at school.

2. “MID-SUMMER TUNE-UP!”    JULY 21- AUGUST 1, 2003
With summer comes bicycle riding adventures and this is the theme for the two-week session. Students will learn the “science” of bicycling with activities focusing on the skill development pertaining to the scientific method. Activities will include hands-on experiments with gears, levers, pulleys, inclined planes and other components of simple and complex machines. Brainstorming, problem-solving and teamwork are emphasized as teams compete to put together functional and safe bicycles from pieces and parts!

Head injury awareness related to bicycle riding will be addressed; a bicycle obstacle course simulating road hazards will be set up for the students and new and experienced riders alike will have opportunities to develop their cycling skills.

Mid-summer is a perfect time for students to “tune up” their academic skills; theme-related reading, writing and mathematics activities appropriate to the student’s level of achievement are provided daily in order for students to maintain existing skills and develop awareness of new skills for the upcoming school year. Study skills and compensatory strategies are also taught.

3. “MATHE-MAGIC!”    AUGUST 4-15, 2003
Are things really as they appear?  Using the theme of magic and illusion, this two-week session provides intensive strategies to assist students in understanding foundational math concepts integral to future achievement. Activities will focus on the five strands of mathematics as outlined in the Ontario curriculum: Number Sense and Numeration; Measurement; Geometry and Spatial Sense; Patterning and Algebra; Data Management and Probability.

(a) “Nifty Numbers!”
Activities are designed with students age 5-10 in mind. Hands-on activities using manipulative materials and games are used to reinforce understanding. Drill of all basic operations is presented in a fun format. Drama and music activities reinforce concepts and problem-solving.

(b)”Crafty Calculations!” (age 11+)
Focus is on review of foundational concepts, effective study and test-taking skills, drill of operations, memorization of mathematical formulas and theories and multi-step problem-solving. Drama and music activities bring an element of fun!

4. “BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL!”   AUGUST 18-29, 2003
This two-week session prepares students of all ages for their return to school. Through a “back to school shopping spree” theme, students will be given hands-on experiences to assist them in developing organizational skills necessary for success at school. This includes: effective use of a school agenda; use of a monthly planning calendar; organization of school materials; homework scheduling; the value of post-it notes and highlighters; and many other organizational tools. Students will use sales flyers to develop a school shopping “wish list” and will participate in “bargain-hunting” expeditions.

Settling back into the routine of a school day after the freedom of summer can be challenging; this session also helps the students to establish daily school routines, attend to academic tasks, concentrate and persevere on assignments to their completion.

Academic skills in reading, language and mathematics are reviewed through fun, theme-based small-group activities and personal goal-setting is developed.

Friendship-building, communication and conflict resolution skills are also addressed through drama and music activities. 

For further information about these sessions, please contact Catherine Dodds, School Re-Entry Services Coordinator at (416)231-4358 Ext. 237. Registration deadline is May 30, 2003. Maximum number of participants per session is 12.