CHAMP Camp at George Washington University

And one of those many moments happened this summer...

CHAMP (ChildHood Apraxia and Motor Planning) Camp

at George Washington University.

I am always trying to find the next 'move' or 'turn' on this road called Apraxia.

So when I heard about the opportunity for children of various ages and stages of apraxia to participate in a week of intensive therapy with Speech and Language clinicians at GWU,

I immediately inquired and submitted Luke's application, along with video that was required. 

I hoped that he would be chosen because it would be the best of both worlds...

Luke would be able to receive the intensive therapy he needs to speak,

while we could make a fun family vacation out of the trip.

Washington was the perfect spot. 

The George Washington Speech and Hearing Center was within walking distance of all the sights and family timeshare points could be used to secure a condo on the Potomic River for the week long stay. 

And as fate would have it....Luke was accepted into CHAMP camp.

We practiced riding the Metro to Foggy Bottom to estimate how long our commute
would take the Sunday before camp started ;)

And we made it on time the first day and every single day after that....wonders never cease!

The fire station we got to see every morning on our way to camp.

Going over the visual schedule and talking about what was to come in his morning at camp

Individual therapy with Luke's personal GWU clinician

Small group therapy with their clinician right by their side

Whole group time with movement, song and dance

Supportive family watching and cheering from behind the glass ;)

Learning valuable information from the many parent educational courses
that were taught daily during camp
*wish I had taken pics of the presenters, but this is the only one I had to use from one of the slideshows :)

Checking out the White House and other sights after the mornings at camp

Having lunch in the city was pretty memorable, too.

Making friends that will last for a lifetime

Graduation from CHAMP camp

Finally....getting the medal on our Champion

Giving Josa flowers at the end of a successful time at CHAMP camp

Heading back on that long car trip and dreaming of next year's camp 

 We were highly impressed with the CHAMP camp program that Jodi Kumar (Clinical Supervisor at GWU) established in this first year.  The organization, planning, scheduling, and coordinating that went into this week of intensive therapy was first rate.  The parent education presentations and parent interactions were nothing short of stellar.  We learned so much from the other parents who shared their stories of struggles and successes....all while Luke was able to practice his speech in a structured and supportive environment.

We are still praying for continued miracles and that we won't even need to attend camp next year, but even so... we sleep well knowing that we are doing everything within our power to give Luke and our family these phenomenal experiences.

Thank you Jodi Kumar, Lisa Clayton, and Josafina Fernandez for everything that you did to ensure that CHAMP camp was a success for us and for the many other families we now call friends.  XOXO 

If you have any questions about CHAMP camp,

you may contact Jodi Kumar, MS, CCC-SLP

at GWU Speech and Hearing Center.