`Day camp mixes fun with physical therapy at Buhl Farm park`

Kara McConnell
Herald News Intern

Last week, day camp volunteers at Buhl Farm park urged children to eat with their hands and dig in the dirt.

While most parents may scold kids for getting dirty and playing with their food, the volunteers at Children’s Therapeutic Day Camp and staff from Sharon Regional Health System use such activities as physical therapy.

The 17 staff members from the hospital and 15 volunteers from around the area took children who are outpatients at the hospital, diagnosed with autism, pervasive developmental disorders, ADHD, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, amputees, Down’s Syndrome and head trauma, outside for a chance to rehabilitate in the sun.

Staff member, Jo Ann Messett, physical therapist assistant, said a lot of the activities at day camp help to socialize the children.

Some of the activities needed to be improvised due to the rainy start of the week, but everyone stayed dry and learned many new songs.

The unseasonably cold weather hampered the water games that would have been used for therapy, as well as fun, but the children didn’t seem to mind.

Daniel Tyllian, 5, Hermitage, said he liked doing crafts and seeing baby ducks. While Bobbie Lustenberg, 6, Lake Latonka, said she enjoyed playing with the big parachute. Both children expressed enthusiasm over snack time, with an interest in the “monkey tails,” which are bananas dipped in chocolate, covered in peanut butter and sprinkles.

She explained that some children are tactile and do not like to be touched or to get their hands dirty, and by making them eat with their fingers helps them work through their fears and works as a form of occupational therapy.

Among the volunteers at day camp was Jessica Young, 16, Brookfield, Ohio, who was helping for her third year.

At 14, Miss Young had been a volunteer at the hospital and heard about the day camp. “It is a lot of work but a lot of fun too,” she said. Her experience with the children is giving her an idea of what she wants to do in college.

Also lending a helping hand for the week, Donna Lloyd, a wraparound for Metamorphosis Growth and Challenge, Inc. in Sharpsville, makes sure that some of the children get some one-on-one attention.

As a wraparound, Ms. Lloyd cares for three children. And although children need a lot of individual attention, they also need to be socialized with children their own age, she said. “These activities are worthwhile and great for the kids,” she said.

The camp helps everyone, including the parents.

Ernie Dean, 28 Hermitage, was spending the day with daughter Kayli, 4.

Day camp was getting Kayli used to playing with other kids, he said. He also said how thankful he was for all those who have helped and supported his daughter.

Some other activities during the week were an obstacle course, a watermelon seed spitting contest and a nature walk.

To raise money, the physical therapy staff at the hospital held a Bingo, sponsored by the Sharon American Legion and a 50/50 Raffle. They raised $2,800, which paid for all the supplies, snack and T-shirts given to the children.

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Updated June 19, 1999
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