Coronavirus no match for Kids on the Go camp – Grosse Pointe News (subscription)

For more than 20 years, Kids on the Go has provided children with special needs the physical, occupational, speech and recreation therapies they need through its free summer camp.

This summer, its mission didn’t change, but the way those therapies were delivered certainly did.

“As a result of closures due to COVID-19, many of the children we serve lost the resources and safety they found through programs in their schools,” said Kristy Schena, Kids on the Go founder and executive director. “Since the spring, they have lacked the structured social activity and routines they depend on to move forward and reach their educational goals. We were very happy this summer that we were able to safely offer our programs either virtually or in person.”

Kids on the Go recently wrapped up its summer camp, which saw 51 classes offered to students in virtual and face-to-face formats. Of those classes, nine took place in person, among them Summer Fitness, Friendship Cheer, Music Therapy and Teens to Work, as well as basketball and football conditioning camps.

Screening, social distancing and other safety measures were in place for all campers and staff, Schena said. Participants who attended in-person activities adjusted well to wearing masks — and shields when needed. Each teen was screened and underwent daily temperature checks as well.

“They took mask breaks when necessary,” she added. “Most of the teens were already used to wearing masks, because their parents had helped them get used to it. We didn’t have any issues.

“The kids had a wonderful time with structured activity outside and seeing other kids gave a sense of normalcy to this challenging time,” she added, noting the programs were sponsored by a grant through the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund.

“Our Music Therapy program met in our new Grosse Pointe Sunrise Rotary Peace Garden at the Nonprofit Center at Pare, which was a beautiful setting for the kids to experience the joys that music can bring,” she said. “Our Teens to Work program also met onsite and utilized the new space in the Life Lessons Lab. This group in particular enjoyed the chance to socialize and gain the skills and experience necessary to enter the work force.”

Teens to Work met twice a week, one day for workshopping — wood carving, paint pouring, metal stamping, jewelry making, etc. — and the other to learn about retail and sales. The last day of the program, they put their handmade wares on display and opened the Kids on the Go Retail Shop.

“Everything they made for six weeks was in the store and open to the public,” Schena said, noting students also planted and harvested a garden with volunteer Patty Allemon, so there also were peppers, radishes and herbs for sale. “Over 100 people, with masks, visited our store. We nearly sold out.”

The teens also offered a weekly Coffee Cart Drive-Thru with coffee and muffins. Eventually, Schena said, there will be a Kids on the Go café where people can come in, sit down and drink coffee.

Camp closed Aug. 13 with a drive-up goodbye for children who attended the virtual program. Schena said she was pleased with the success of Kids on the Go’s first online summer camp.

“The programs the children participated in this summer were a much-needed outlet for both therapy services and to establish a routine for socialization and fun,” she said. “Many of the programs that took place through Zoom calls were still filmed in the classrooms at the Nonprofit Center at Pare and that provided the children with a sense of familiarity and comfort so they could truly benefit from each session. At Kids on the Go, we are very grateful for the opportunity to make the most of our programs over the summer. We also have to thank the parents and guardians of our campers for their participation in our programs, which helped to ensure a safe and positive experience for our summer campers.

“One local dad whose son goes to Monteith told us how well his son adjusted to the virtual program,” she added, “and how much our therapy team could provide guidance to him and his son.”

Parents were encouraged to email staff if they noticed their child struggling, so extra help was available even remotely.

“Kids on the Go usually provides respite; this year parents became their child’s therapy aid,” Schena added. “They learned with their child and they saw what the therapists do on our side. This will enhance their therapy.

“Everyone stepped up to the plate and was thinking outside the box. … I think this sent a powerful message of how we’re all adapting.”

Schena, who was on hand at Pare the duration of the camp, said she was especially happy to give participants a chance to be kids again this summer.

“We’re blessed to be able to provide as much as we did for summer 2020,” she said. “The feedback from parents, they’re so appreciative. We’re grateful to provide support for families who greatly need our services during these times.”

Up next for Kids on the Go is its fall programming, made possible with a grant from the Children’s Foundation. Among offerings are a new fitness program and Toddlers at the Table, with dietician Bethany Mathus, a speech pathologist who works with parents and children who are picky eaters.

Kids on the Go also is preparing for its gala, which takes place Nov. 7. “Bandstand Battle” will feature six bands performing virtually during the week leading up to the live event. The three bands with the most votes will give livestreamed performances during the gala, which also includes silent and live auctions.

WDIV-TV Channel 4 meteorologist Brandon Roux will emcee.

To become a gala sponsor, visit kidsonthegocamp.com or call (313) 332-1026.

Many thanks

“In our fifth summer with Kids on the Go, we are more grateful and impressed than ever with the summer of therapy each of you has given to Tommy, Benjamin and our entire family. As 2020 rapidly changed, we were uncertain what any day might look like, let alone our Kids on the Go summer tradition. As the season began to unfold, we couldn’t believe how 21 years of onsite therapy was brilliantly transformed into a virtual format … and the highlight of our summer.

“… The Kids on the Go team has done an amazing job adapting to the challenges of 2020. We have truly enjoyed engaging in each program with our boys and watching the incredible work of such talented therapists. We are always sad to see Kids on the Go come to a close at the summer’s end, but this summer will be especially hard. We will miss our little ones asking to see their therapists on the TV, we will miss watching all three of them giggle as they recall songs and games from our virtual sessions and we will miss being a part of it all as a family.

“Thank you for sharing your time and talents with Kids on the Go and for allowing our family to share in such a wonderful experience during such an unsettling time. When the world came to a screeching halt, so did many therapy services for our children. Families like ours look to Kids on the Go to help bridge the gap between school years. This year you packed six months of missed therapy into six weeks and have done an outstanding job of doing so. Thank you for helping fill our boys’ developmental needs and for giving our family lasting memories of learning and growing together.”

— Portions of a letter from the Skowronski family