Each summer, TRS takes a group of campers to Monte Toyon in Aptos, CA for a five-night summer camp. This year, TRS staff put their heads together and came up with a plan to bring all of the fun and tradition of this annual trip to participants so that they could enjoy it from the comfort and safety of their own homes.
“My TRS team doesn’t back down from a challenge,” said Jenn Wilson-Marchino, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. “We put together a unique experience and I’m happy to report that we had 26 campers participate in our first-ever virtual Summer camp!”
This year’s Summer Camp in a Box event ran from Aug. 2 – 6. TRS set up a drive-thru with nine stops for participants to pick up all of the supplies they needed for the camp experience, including information packets and schedules, craft kits, snack kits, camp t-shirts, custom drinks, and more.
Campers were provided with independent and group activities to participate in over the five-day event. The independent activities included photo scavenger hunts, an activity book designed by TRS staff, craft projects and more. The group activities were primarily facilitated via Zoom, with events like a watermelon eating contest, tie-dye t-shirt making, a “beach day,” science projects, snack making sessions and a live campfire on the last night. TRS staff also utilized pre-recorded YouTube videos to enhance the camp experience, such as campfire stories and songs performed by the camp staff and an instructional video of carnival games to play and compete against others at home.
Since 1975, TRS has provided therapeutic recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities residing in Sacramento County. TRS programs focus on abilities while encouraging people to attain their highest level of independent leisure functioning by increasing leisure skills, improving social skills, increasing independence and increasing their awareness of and involvement in community recreational activities.