SPECIAL EDUCATION

Camp Connections at Jack McGowan’s Farm
By Patty Yahnke

Camp Connections held its third annual day camp this past summer at Jack McGowan’s farm June 13, 14, and 15. Thirty students aged 8–14 from all over Region 9 attended the three-day camp. We also had two former campers come back as junior camp counselors and help with the camp. Students participated in motor, arts and crafts, krazy kitchen concoctions, social skills and dramatic play activities daily. They were also able to participate in many of the activities at the farm including the zip-line swing, rickshaw carts, a troll tunnel and bridge, and they got to use a pumper wagon to put out a mock house fire. Special activities that we participated in included Cooperative Motor Activities with Kathy Schultz, Storytelling with Nancy Busse, and Larry the Lizard Guy from Mankato brought out a variety of lizards and snakes to share with the kids. On Friday afternoon the families of our campers were invited and each group put on a short play for their families around the theme of pirates. We are already beginning plans for our fourth annual camp scheduled for June 2008.