Talking With Technology Camp

Talking With Technology (TWT) Camp is a weeklong program developed by The Children's Hospital for young people ages 6 to 21 who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. The Children's Hospital contracts with the Colorado Easter Seal Society for this week to be held each summer at its camp facility, Rocky Mountain Village, in Empire, Colorado.

A priority for acceptance to the TWT Camp is given to children who come with an adult who is working with the child and his/her system (e.g., speech therapist, teacher, aide, etc.), but is not a parent. Children who have attended the program in the past will be accepted pending adult accompaniment and space availability.

Both the child and the adult are involved in a week of training and implementation of the AAC system.

Each year the Talking with Technology Camp changes and improves. Its goals are to provide intensive intervention, within the context of a motivating and meaningful environment, for children using augmentative communication devices, and to enhance the development of communication partners and those facilitating AAC use.

A Unique Program for Campers, Siblings and Professionals

A unique aspect of TWT Camp is that the camper - who is the augmentative communication system user - usually attends with a professional trainer who knows the child. Brothers and sisters are also welcome to take part in the program. That's what makes this one week such an intensive learning experience for everyone. Because this camp gives children the opportunity to develop increased independence, parents do not attend. Children's personal care needs are managed by trained camp staff. However, if parents feel their child has unique and special care needs, they have the option of sending a personal care attendant.

Camper Program 

Young people using an augmentative communication system get individual and group instruction. They learn new vocabulary, new strategies for implementing that vocabulary and new ideas about what they can say. Lifelong friendships grow with their cabin mates and camp counselors. Activities include:

• Fishing
• Horseback riding
• Swimming
• Sports
• Hiking 
• Skits
• Talent shows
• Cook-outs
• Singing around the campfire
• Computers
• Arts and crafts 

Sibling Program 

Brothers and sisters of children who use augmentative communication systems attend the camp to learn how to better understand and interact with their siblings.

In addition, they get to participate in all the traditional camp activities, too. Many of these are designed just for their group, giving them an opportunity to meet other young people who have a brother or sister who uses an augmentative communication system. Some activities are designed to help siblings learn more about the use and operation of the systems. In this way, they become better communication partners for their brothers or sisters.

Adult Program 

Professionals, such as speech language pathologists or teachers, attend the camp to share in the experience of how communication impacts the entire life environment of the children with whom they work, and learn ways to continue the growth and development beyond the camp experience. These trainers get intensive learning opportunities. They get a closer look at the communication systems and begin to implement ideas for better communication on a daily basis.

An overnight camp experience also allows these professionals to see the actions of the children on a 24-hour basis. Consequently, they appreciate complex communication needs of the children, whom they traditionally have seen for just short periods of time.

Training for the professionals begins as soon as they arrive at camp, and continues during the week, providing them with hands-on experience, and guidance from nationally-known experts in the field. Graduate level college credit is also available.

Personal Care Attendants (PCA)

Although the personal care needs of the children are managed by the trained and experienced Easter Seal Camp Counselors, some children have medical needs that families feel more comfortable in having addressed by their own personal care attendant, or that the Easter Seals staff cannot provide.

The PCA may have the option of sleeping in the cabin with the camper, though this depends on the gender of the camper and space available in the cabin. The primary function of the PCA is to work with the camper's counselor to provide the unique personal care needs necessary.

Funding Options

The Scottish Rite Foundation is providing financial support for the total camper fees (excluding the application fee). All camper applicants must complete a Scottish Rite application unless they desire to pay the full amount privately. A Scottish Rite committee will review all applications and assign each applicant a "family rate." No camper's insurance/Medicaid will be billed for the therapy provided at TWT camp.

Funding options for children outside of Colorado include schools, service groups and disability organizations. Several children have attended the camp program as part of their school's "extended school year" with funding by their school district.

We are currently applying for a grant to assist in funding sibling and adult camp fees. Applicants will be notified if financial assistance is available.

We look forward to this summer's TWT Camp with great excitement and anticipation for an outstanding program. Thank you for your interest.