ADHD camp offers hope, encouragement

This is the final article in a four-part series on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

By Cortney L. Hill, Salisbury Post

Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder find success in the sun on their first day of camp Monday.

All this week at Dan Nicholas Park, approximately 50 ADHDchildren from ages 7 to 11 will put their energy to work and show how gifted they are.

"When the children come to this camp, they get a sense of belonging," said Dr. Jill Aiken, pediatrician with Salisbury Pediatric Associates and coordinator of the ADHD Camp. "This camp gives them the chance to meet other children like them, plus their self-esteem improves. That's why this camp is so successful."

Eight-year-old Jerin Henderson, a first-time ADHDcamp participant, agrees.

"I've made two friends since I've been here,"he said Monday morning. "Ilike this camp, and I'm having a really good time so far."

This year's camp -- Summer Camp for all Truly Gifted Energized Children -- is sponsored by Healthy Children of Rowan County and Salisbury Pediatric Associates.

From bug-hunting and arts and crafts to recreational activities and drama, children will indulge in such activities and more from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every day.

"We've had slightly more children participate this year than last year,"said Aiken. "Last year, the camp was for two days, so I'm really looking forward to seeing how they will respond to it being for a week."

Beatrice Hair, founder of Salisbury Tutoring Academy, said 41 children registered Monday.

"We've added some new activities this year to the schedule," Hair said. "Children will get to do some karate, learn techniques of drama, go treasure hunting and do yoga."

The big event is Friday with Judge Charlie Brown.

"He's going to be demonstrating a mock trial and doing some really creative things with it. The kids are excited."

Maureen Shay, a drama teacher at Salisbury High School and the camp's drama teacher, helped break the ice for her group of 11-year-olds.

"We will do a lot of movement and pantomiming activities ... something I know they will all enjoy doing," Shay said.

For some of the exercises, Shay had the children pretend to become different things, such as melting ice cream, food frying in a pan and popping popcorn.

"In every activity, the children will get to learn a little about themselves and each other," she said.

Tristen Rabb, 16, and Kristen Ruble, 15, wanted to volunteer at the camp.

Both were diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder at a young age.

"I just want to help these kids realize how really smart they are," said Rabb, who will attend East Rowan High School. She's currently being home schooled.

"Idon't want them to think that they are alone in this," said Ruble, who struggled at first in school. She now makes straight A's at East Rowan. "There are other people going through this, too, so they don't have to deal with this alone."

Officials say this camp is not just for the children. It's also for the parents.

Parents will get to speak to an on-site therapist about dealing with their ADHDchildren and can receive tips on better coping with them.

To help the camp run smoothly, school nurses will be on-site to dispense medicines to the children throughout the day, and volunteers will keep track of the children's behavior.

"For good behavior, the children receive points and collect beads they will use to make a bracelet at the end,"said Susan Thomas, recreational volunteer and school nurse. "For bad behavior, points are deducted."

Children get points for such things as following the rules, sportsmanship and ignoring provocation.

"Points are deducted if they show such things as bad behavior, physical aggression or poor sportsmanship,"said Hair. "So far, we haven't had a problem with that, and Iexpect nothing but good behavior."

Susan Fowler, parent of an AG/ADD child, enjoys coming to the camp.

"My son, Buxton, loved it last year, so I decided to bring him back this year,"she said. "It gives the children something to exert their energy towards, and it beats sitting around the house all of the time."

Mellissa Caswell brought her 11-year-old sister, Ryan Bowe, back to the camp.

"Well, at first she didn't want to come, she just wanted to sit around the house and watch TV,"Caswell said. "But she came last year and really enjoyed it, so I'm sure she'll enjoy it this year."

Caswell said that when she learned her sister was ADHD, she realized she had some of the same symptoms.

"I'm not sure if I'll get tested, but it is something I will keep in mind," she said. "But as far as the camp, Ithink Ienjoy it more than my sister, so I hope they have it again."

The ADHD camp will continue through Saturday.

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For more information about getting your child evaluated for ADHDor ADD, call Salisbury Pediatric Associates at 704-636-5576. For more information about the Salisbury Tutoring Academy, call 704-633-8207.

Contact Cortney L. Hill at 704-797-4249 or chill@ salisburypost.com.