Tuesday, October 12, 2010 FILED IN: News

Xcited About Summer! Join the Spring Fling Event. A FREE event promoting Camp Steps, a summer camp for kids and teens experiencing a disability.

Camp Steps: The only summer camp in North County for kids and teens experiencing a cognitive disability, such as Autism / Aspergers running all summer long.

Xcite Steps is holding their annual Summer Spring Fling on Sunday May 17th from 11-1pm. This fun and free event is open to the public. XciteSteps is providing games for children, picnic style food and networking for parents who have children experiencing a disability. The Spring Fling event is the kick off of the Xcite Steps summer camp running June 15th to August 28th in Solana Beach.

Children and young adults with developmental disabilities, such as Autism, have limited opportunities to be part of a summer camp experience. They struggle finding appropriate social opportunities where they have the support to make friends and have fun with their peers. Due to the lack of appropriate programming, many young individuals with special needs are stuck at home, isolated.

Xcite Steps offers these children and teens a summer camp like no other. They get to be part of a small group summer camp with a max of 12 campers and a 3 to 1 counselor ratio. With this support they are able to do all the activities that typically developing children experience. This camp stands out from others because of our experienced but youthful staff who promote self-worth, provide social coaching, positive role modeling and social confidence. Also, unlike other camps CampSteps runs all summer long; June, July and August.

Xcite Steps has selected fun sports, recreational activities and games coupled with exciting community outings to help inspire and develop friendships. Some of the weekly field trips at Xcite Steps summer camp include water parks, Boomers, bowling, Nickel City etc. Beach days include water sports instruction such as surfing, boogie-boarding and body-surfing. Our lifeguard friends will visit in the beginning of the week to introduce water safety training. Also, this year Xcite Steps is offering three weeks with an overnight camping option partnering with CampFire USA. At CampFire the campers will be able to enjoy all the typical camping experiences.

Providing a supportive, encouraging and empowering environment for children and teens experiencing a disability is made possible by qualified counselors with many years of mentoring, teaching and social coaching experience. They support the kids on an individual basis. The abilities of each camper are promoted to ensure they have the best summer camp experience ever!