Camp Jam!

Camp Jam!

This week, we did not have our regular symposium because we hosted a special music camp for special needs children, called Camp Jam. The camp was designed to provide music therapy interventions in a fun and social group setting. We had such a great time, and seeing the kids’ faces light up throughout the day and hearing comments such as “I don’t want music camp to end” made all the hard work worth it.

Each day began with circle time, where we sang a hello song and our Camp Jam theme song, among several others that addressed social skills such as greeting others and keeping self-control. Then we divided up into groups for music therapy. This was one of my favorite parts because I had the opportunity to help lead the younger kids. We sang stories, had drum circle, played shakers and other instruments, among several other interventions. Throughout the group, we gave clients opportunities to be leaders and practiced taking turns, all to enhance social skills. Then the kids went to either movement group or craft time. I also enjoyed helping with the crafts, where we made our own instruments, such as decorating slit drums and making rain sticks. We had a snack time after these groups, followed by time on the playground. To wrap up the day, we had a calming down time and a concert by special guest musicians.

The whole week was filled with fun, energy, and great socializing opportunities. Our music therapy interventions also targeted cognitive skills and motor skills, all within an interactive, musical approach. It may have required waking up earlier than usual, facing traffic to get to the location, and lots of preparation, but none of that mattered as soon as I saw the kids smiling, laughing, singing, and making music together. I had seen a video about this camp on the Music Therapy Center’s website when I first applied for this internship and have been looking forward to it ever since. It was so exciting to be a part of such a wonderful music camp for these kids.

-Tara