Municipal day camps are experiencing distress, according to UMQ's statement
In a significant move towards inclusivity, two out of three municipalities in Quebec have seen an increase in the number of children with special needs participating in municipal day camps. As the demand for such services grows, it's essential to ensure these children receive the necessary support to thrive socially, emotionally, and cognitively.
Beyond financial aid, successful integration requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses sensory, emotional, educational, and social needs.
**Sensory Support Spaces**: Creating sensory rooms or controlled environments equipped with multi-sensory tools can help children with conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, or other medical conditions self-regulate and engage more comfortably in activities. These spaces offer a break from overstimulation and a chance to participate in small class settings if needed.
**Staff Training in Special Needs and Emotional Regulation**: Camp staff should be trained to understand a range of special needs, use cognitive-behavioral approaches, support emotional regulation, and employ structured routines and external reminders to help children with executive function challenges.
**Individualized Support and Alternative Learning Spaces**: Offering alternative learning or activity spaces tailored to each child's pace and comfort level helps children transition back to mainstream camp group activities successfully.
**Familiar Comfort Items and Coping Strategies**: Encouraging children to bring familiar comfort items and teaching calming and help-seeking strategies prepares them better for camp and supports emotional security.
**Family and Peer Connection Building**: Activities that foster meaningful connections among children and families improve understanding of individual needs and promote inclusion.
**Ongoing Education and Awareness**: Providing continuous education to staff, parents, and campers about the realities of conditions like ADD helps reduce stigma and builds a more empathetic and supportive community.
These actions create an inclusive, supportive, and adaptive environment necessary for integration beyond just providing financial resources. The AQLPH, which manages the Financial Aid Program for the Leisure of Handicapped Persons, has been instrumental in providing the necessary human and financial resources, allowing for the hiring of nearly 6,000 accompanists in day camps last year.
However, the challenge remains for municipalities to meet the full needs of children with special needs, as municipal day camps in Quebec receive approximately 6 million dollars annually, but this amount covers only about 25% of the actual needs. Christian Ouellette, president of the UMQ's Culture, Recreation, and Community Life Commission, and mayor of Delson, has expressed concern about potential municipalities discontinuing day camps due to lack of funding. The UMQ is advocating for improved financial support for municipal day camps to ensure continued access to these vital services.
In other news, Patrick Charbonneau, the mayor of Mirabel, passed away at the age of 46. Mr. Charbonneau, who had indicated at the end of April that he would seek a second term in the upcoming November elections, was a strong advocate for the integration of children with special needs in municipal day camps. His passing leaves a significant void in the community and the municipal political landscape.
1.To further promote the growth and well-being of children with special needs, it's crucial to invest in education and self-development programs, such as staff training in special needs and emotional regulation, and ongoing education and awareness sessions.2. Personal growth and social integration can be achieved when children with special needs are provided with an environment that caters to their unique needs, such as sensory support spaces, individualized support, and alternative learning spaces, and when their families and peers are also actively involved.
