Communication Camp makes learning fun

Collaborative efforts integrates learning for children, FSU students and faculty

Over 60 children and youth from the area participated in the FSU Speech and Hearing Clinic’s first annual communication camp during the summer. 25 FSU graduate students in Communication Disorders and Special Education served as Camp Counselors leading language interventions activities within Space, Wildlife, Sports and other exciting themes and events such as making volcanoes and meeting a 1-eyed hedge hog. Communication abounded! Reading, writing, drama, music, computers, drawings, newsletters, visual supports and assistive technology were incorporated as communication modalities to enhance learning. The camp initiative was led by Janice McClung, Director of Clinical Education, Carla Wood Jackson, Assistant Professor, and Juliann Woods, Chair and was a collaboration of the Communication Disorders Department, the Scottish Rite Foundation, and Leon County Schools.

The Communication Camp was more than just fun. The program was designed to facilitate children’s communication skills and provide opportunities for graduate students to acquire guided experiences in embedded instruction and teaming. Students practiced integrating instructional techniques such as commenting and recasting into group activities alongside clinical educators who provided feedback and guidance. Jade Coston, Clinical Educator, identified the use of peers in the group activities as one of the strengths of the program. Erin Lundblom, a Doctoral Student and SLP at FSUS, explored different strategies to provide feedback to students that increased communication between campers and not just with the adults. Delores Hudson, Clinical Educator at the FSU Schendel Speech & Hearing Clinic, reflected on the new program, “As a person with previous years of experience working in the schools, I was excited to see this kind of instruction for our graduate students…offering collaboration and integrated delivery of services.”

Dr. Jackson stated, “camp provides unique opportunities to facilitate social communication skills of children with communication disorders, enhance the knowledge and skills of graduate students, and expand services in the community to underserved populations.” A parent shared “The communication camp offered this summer gave an opportunity to many children who did not otherwise have summer camp options. For our son, the camp provided a wonderful opportunity to build communication skills, make new friends, and overall, to just have a fun time in a safe environment. Faculty and staff at the Department of Communication Disorders look forward to offering the Communication Camp again next summer.