College of Education and Health Professions Provides Summer Camp Fun for Community

One-of-a-kind experiences, hands-on learning, lifelong friendships.

These are just a few of the benefits of participating in a summer camp offered by the College of Education and Health Professions.

In addition to giving local children and teens unforgettable summer experiences, camps hosted by the college also provide valuable training opportunities for students from various majors, offering real-world experience working with kids across disciplines.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Camp

The Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) lab hosted its third year of AAC Camp this summer for children who use or are candidates for AAC devices.

AAC devices allow someone with limited speech to communicate by selecting photos or words on a tablet, which can help improve interactions with family, friends and others. Throughout the three-week camp, hosted at Leverett Elementary School, AAC users are paired with non-AAC user peers. 

Elizabeth Lorah, professor of special education, runs the camp with help from doctoral students Whitney Moser and Madison Maddox. Together, they work to create a camp environment that will create long-lasting memories for everyone.

"It's so rewarding to watch their confidence grow throughout the camp, and it's an honor to provide a fun, welcoming summer experience where all children are included and have the opportunity to connect, communicate and learn together," Maddox said.

Both Moser and Maddox called AAC Camp a highlight of their summer.

"Whether they're making crafts, playing water games, exploring sensory activities, or participating in group games, every activity is designed to create natural opportunities for communication, connection and success," Moser added. "Just as importantly, peers learn how to initiate play, include classmates with different communication abilities and become supportive communication partners—all while relying less on adult guidance as their relationships grow."

This year, AAC Camp was supported by grants from the college's WE CARE Strategic Plan and the Women's Giving Circle.

Faculty member Rhett Hutchins works with an AAC camper on a craft.

Young Writers Camp

Another camp in the college's Department of Curriculum and Instruction is all about helping children and teens unlock the writer within.

Young Writers Camp is offered at locations across Northwest Arkansas, including the U of A's Peabody Hall. Students in grades 2-11 participate each year, engaging in storytelling activities, field trips and more throughout the two-week experience.

Every year, camp is taught by Northwest Arkansas teachers like Anne Minton.

Minton is an educator at Fayetteville High School and has been facilitating Young Writers Camps since 2017. She said she loves seeing the growth in all of her campers over the course of two weeks.

"The fun comes when the kids make new friends, write together and laugh at the crazy things their imaginations can come up with," she said. "I try to give them as many different ways to generate stories, develop them and step out of their comfort zones to try new genres they may not have considered."

One way Minton generates stories is by taking students on field trips across campus. This year, students visited the U of A Police Department to talk with officers and their K-9s. They also traveled to the Jerry and Gene Jones Student-Athlete Success Center to interview several Razorback football athletes. 

Both trips allowed students to practice interviewing skills, organizing information and writing for authentic audiences. 

"For me, Young Writers Camp renews my faith that when you give a kid a piece of paper and a pencil and the opportunity for a variety of experiences, AI doesn't stand a chance," Minton said.

Reading Rangers

Camps and experiential learning opportunities in the college don't stop when the school year begins. This fall, the Speech and Hearing Clinic will host Reading Rangers, a literacy camp for students in grades K-2.

On Wednesdays throughout the fall, children will build reading skills through hands-on practice and small group instruction. Those interested can learn more by contacting the Speech and Hearing Clinic at spclinic@uark.edu.