JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Special-needs children who are enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program will have an opportunity to learn dance moves, enjoy music and express their artistic selves at a summer camp planned at two Joint Base San Antonio locations this month.
The Start with the Arts EFMP Summer Camp is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon July 12-15 at the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Dodd Field Chapel and from 9 a.m. to noon July 19-22 at the JBSA-Randolph Religious Activities Center.
The camp, which is also open to the siblings of the special-needs participants, will feature professional instructors from VSA Texas, a member of the VSA international network that provides arts and education opportunities for people with disabilities.
“There were 23 children at the JBSA-Randolph camp last year,” said Terry Wise, JBSA-Randolph Military & Family Readiness Center EFMP coordinator. “All the kids had a great time. They especially enjoyed the music because they made their own instruments.”
During the camp, 45-minute time periods are devoted to music, dance and art, Wise said. In addition to engaging in the activities, participants are able to socialize with their peers.
“Children with disabilities who are mainly used to being with their siblings get to see a larger, more diverse group and experience things they normally wouldn’t experience,” he said. “Their siblings see that they aren’t the only ones who have brothers and sisters with disabilities. They can make connections with those other siblings, too.”
Heejung Sackett, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Military and Family Services Flight EFMP family support specialist, also said social interaction is an important aspect of the camp.
“Children who have limited social interaction will have additional opportunities to increase their social skills in a welcoming, safe and people-centered environment,” she said.
Sackett said children with communication barriers will have opportunities to express their emotions and thoughts in different forms through art projects and theater performances, while children with behavioral challenges will have opportunities to be well-accepted and encouraged to build strong friendships during the camp.
EFMP arts camps at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston have proven to be great learning experiences, Sackett said.
“Children loved everything we’ve offered in the past – art projects, music, dance and karate,” she said. “Personally, I think they loved the camp’s finale, which allows them to show what they learned and made to their parents and families.”
Parental involvement is important, Sackett said. “It is very important for parents to be involved, especially during the finale,” she said. “I recommend that parents utilize the camp experience to increase their children's self-esteem and to add more conversation pieces during their meal times.”
The EFMP identifies medical and educational needs of family members in support of active-duty sponsor reassignment and civilian employment overseas. Family members enrolled in the program have exceptional needs that require specialized care for an ongoing chronic illness.
The Air Force’s goal is to prevent active-duty assignment failures due to lack of resources for family members and to minimize stress during permanent changes of station.
Registration deadlines for the Start with the Arts summer camps are July 8 for the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston camp and July 11 for the JBSA-Randolph camp. For more information, call the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston M&FRC at 221-2705 or the JBSA-Randolph M&FRC at 652-3084.