Summer Experience

Summer recreation program offered for individuals with developmental disabilities

We all look forward to summer and the possibilities that sun-drenched days offer.  But for individuals with developmental disabilities, the chance to spend time outdoors and enjoying warm weather activities is often limited.  In order to participate in the same summer pastimes and events as their peers, individuals with developmental disabilities need support, options, and alternatives fine tuned to their needs and abilities. Individuals of school age, find that the lack of regular school days can deprive them of what is usually their sole opportunity to socialize, to engage in enriching activities, and to rely on the structure of a consistent schedule.

SCARC’s Summer Experience provides a program to fulfill summer dreams and disability-related needs. Summer Experience is designed to not only offer fun-filled days for teens and young adults with developmental disabilities, but it also includes community-based activities that support socialization, skill building, and provides educational opportunities.

Each year SCARC offers Summer Experience – four two-week summer sessions of community-based activities for individuals with developmental disabilities.  Three sessions are available June through August for teens and young adults ages 15 to 21.  One session is available in June for individuals ages 22 to 25. This year forty-five individuals will enjoy their session at Summer Experience.

Some of the activities and community destinations that participants enjoy are:

Wallenpaupack boat ride                     Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm

Steamtown National Historic Site       Point Pleasant/Jenkins Aquarium

Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island                Movies/FunPlex/Bowling

Turtleback Zoo                                       Medieval Times

Delaware river rafting                           High Point State Park

Tomahawk Lake                                     Dorney Park

Liberty Science Center                          Camelbeach Water Park

Mountain Creek Water Park                Laser-Tag

Each year, individuals may begin submitting applications for Summer Experience in March.  Sessions are filled on a first come, first served basis.  In order to participate in Summer Experience, individuals must:

• • Have a diagnosed developmental disability
  • Be able to feed themselves
  • Be free of restrictive medical problems
  • Be free of serious behavior problems
  • Have the physical stamina for an active camp program
  • Have independent toileting skills

Transportation to the SCARC Main Office in Augusta, NJ – where participants gather each morning – must be provided by families.  Transportation to all Summer Experience activities is provided by SCARC.  Funding for all individuals enjoying a Summer Experience session is provided through the generosity of private donors – the UPS Foundation, the James Verhalen Family Foundation, the R&R Family Foundation, and the SCARC Foundation.

Summer Experience provides individuals with developmental disabilities a glimpse of the glories and joys that summer holds.  Without this program, the camaraderie of friends and the potential for wonderful experiences folded into warm summer days would only be something experienced by their peers without developmental disabilities.

For more information about Summer Experience, contact us or call 973-383-7442.