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Jennifer Bryant was surprised when she heard that her 6-year-old daughter, Caroline, rode a horse.
Caroline, born with cerebral palsy, spends most of her time in a wheelchair and is tended by a nurse. But on June 7, she and other children in the Exceptional Family Member Program not only got to ride a horse, but meet therapy dogs, play in a sandbox, plant seeds, paint and learn from a music therapist. This is the fourth year for Camp SOAR, run through Army Community Service EFMP and sponsored by Mission Command Training Program, the Fort Leavenworth Fire Department and Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers.
Bryant said it was important for Caroline, who is physically disabled but comprehends the world around her like a normal 6-year-old, to get involved.
“She knows what she’s not getting to do, so for her to do normal things — that’s important,” she said.
Jennifer Burford, EFMP manager, said the camp caters to a wide range of childhood issues — from asthma to cognitive disabilities to autism spectrum disorders.
“We have a schedule but we’re very flexible because some children might not be interested in a particular activity,” she said.
Burford said the camp is planned each year during outprocessing at the Command and General Staff College. Although this month’s high temperatures are an exception, early June is usually cooler. Burford said some children with special needs have a hard time coping with the heat.
Children with special needs also often have a hard time watching their parents pack, Burford said.
“It gives the children something fun to do while mom and dad are focused on things to get ready for the next assignment,” she said.
Burford said having the camp on post also gave parents the opportunity to visit or even stay if they chose to do so. The first day of camp, all parents of 20 campers felt comfortable leaving their children for a few hours.
Each camper is paired with a buddy, usually a firefighter or a Soldier from MCTP or BOSS. There is a nurse on site, and children could bring their medications with them.
Janet Myers is the mother of Julianne, 8, who had heart problems when she was born and had to have open-heart surgery. Her mother said she hasn’t quite caught up yet.
“I thought it would be good for her to be around other children like her,” she said.
After attending Camp SOAR, Julianne didn’t want to leave.
1st Sgt. James Illes, MCTP, was a camp buddy for the first time this year.
“This was my first chance to come here and see what the program is all about,” he said. “Being able to interact with the children is fun too.”
MCTP sponsors EFMP events throughout the year, including holiday parties and the Specialized Training of Military Parents, or STOMP, conference, which addresses the needs of military families that include family members with special medical or educational needs.
The firefighters also have a program, Caring and Sharing, in which firefighters will visit families in their homes and make sure their special needs family members are cared for in an emergency. Firefighters are equipped to help children adults with special needs. For instance, in case of a power outage, they can provide oxygen, if needed.
Kay Huddleston, a music therapist who works with EFMP and the Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and Skills, was at the camp to share music with children. She said there are many ways children with special needs can learn from music. A girl like Caroline who is physically disabled, for example, can learn to coordinate some muscle movements by practicing finger dexterity on a keyboard or grasping maracas. Vocalizing can help a child like Caroline learn to communicate.
With autism spectrum disorders, Huddleston said, rhythms are useful.
“Rhythms are really very important for them — finding the right rhythm for them at the right time really helps organize their brain,” she said.
Huddleston is available to exceptional children on post through EFMP respite care. Call 684-2800 to sign up for EFMP.
Bryant, whose family is moving to Fort Bragg, N.C., in a few months, has been impressed with the EFMP program on Fort Leavenworth. Medical equipment was available to them when their plane landed. EFMP had worked with housing to make sure an accessible home was available, because Caroline can’t stay in a hotel. EMFP had coordinated with the school district and in getting them an in-home nurse.
“We fought tooth and nail to stay here, just for Caroline … Fort Leavenworth needs to be the model for the rest of the Army,” Bryant said.
Jennifer Bryant was surprised when she heard that her 6-year-old daughter, Caroline, rode a horse.
Caroline, born with cerebral palsy, spends most of her time in a wheelchair and is tended by a nurse. But on June 7, she and other children in the Exceptional Family Member Program not only got to ride a horse, but meet therapy dogs, play in a sandbox, plant seeds, paint and learn from a music therapist. This is the fourth year for Camp SOAR, run through Army Community Service EFMP and sponsored by Mission Command Training Program, the Fort Leavenworth Fire Department and Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers.
Bryant said it was important for Caroline, who is physically disabled but comprehends the world around her like a normal 6-year-old, to get involved.
“She knows what she’s not getting to do, so for her to do normal things — that’s important,” she said.
Jennifer Burford, EFMP manager, said the camp caters to a wide range of childhood issues — from asthma to cognitive disabilities to autism spectrum disorders.
“We have a schedule but we’re very flexible because some children might not be interested in a particular activity,” she said.
Burford said the camp is planned each year during outprocessing at the Command and General Staff College. Although this month’s high temperatures are an exception, early June is usually cooler. Burford said some children with special needs have a hard time coping with the heat.
Children with special needs also often have a hard time watching their parents pack, Burford said.
“It gives the children something fun to do while mom and dad are focused on things to get ready for the next assignment,” she said.
Burford said having the camp on post also gave parents the opportunity to visit or even stay if they chose to do so. The first day of camp, all parents of 20 campers felt comfortable leaving their children for a few hours.
Each camper is paired with a buddy, usually a firefighter or a Soldier from MCTP or BOSS. There is a nurse on site, and children could bring their medications with them.
Janet Myers is the mother of Julianne, 8, who had heart problems when she was born and had to have open-heart surgery. Her mother said she hasn’t quite caught up yet.
“I thought it would be good for her to be around other children like her,” she said.
After attending Camp SOAR, Julianne didn’t want to leave.
1st Sgt. James Illes, MCTP, was a camp buddy for the first time this year.
“This was my first chance to come here and see what the program is all about,” he said. “Being able to interact with the children is fun too.”
MCTP sponsors EFMP events throughout the year, including holiday parties and the Specialized Training of Military Parents, or STOMP, conference, which addresses the needs of military families that include family members with special medical or educational needs.
The firefighters also have a program, Caring and Sharing, in which firefighters will visit families in their homes and make sure their special needs family members are cared for in an emergency. Firefighters are equipped to help children adults with special needs. For instance, in case of a power outage, they can provide oxygen, if needed.
Kay Huddleston, a music therapist who works with EFMP and the Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and Skills, was at the camp to share music with children. She said there are many ways children with special needs can learn from music. A girl like Caroline who is physically disabled, for example, can learn to coordinate some muscle movements by practicing finger dexterity on a keyboard or grasping maracas. Vocalizing can help a child like Caroline learn to communicate.
With autism spectrum disorders, Huddleston said, rhythms are useful.
“Rhythms are really very important for them — finding the right rhythm for them at the right time really helps organize their brain,” she said.
Huddleston is available to exceptional children on post through EFMP respite care. Call 684-2800 to sign up for EFMP.
Bryant, whose family is moving to Fort Bragg, N.C., in a few months, has been impressed with the EFMP program on Fort Leavenworth. Medical equipment was available to them when their plane landed. EFMP had worked with housing to make sure an accessible home was available, because Caroline can’t stay in a hotel. EMFP had coordinated with the school district and in getting them an in-home nurse.
“We fought tooth and nail to stay here, just for Caroline … Fort Leavenworth needs to be the model for the rest of the Army,” Bryant said.
