SLU CHAMP Program

Springtime Anticipation for Summer Camps

How Kinesiology and Health Studies at SLU is Keeping Local Kids with Disabilities Physically Active through CHAMP

By Kristen Morgan, PhD and Charity Bryan, PhD (Southeastern Louisiana University)

Springtime is a well-known time of the year for kids to begin daydreaming about their summer vacations. Excitement builds around family trips to the beach or mountains, days at water parks, and fun summer camps with friends.

All children deserve to be part of a summer camp where they can learn new things, play games and sports, and meet new friends. However, children with disabilities often engage in less physical activity and have fewer recreational program options than typically developing children. This lack of options was the motivation behind creating a summer camp for kids with disabilities at Southeastern Louisiana University.

Kristen Morgan, assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies, founded a week-long summer camp for children with autism, language, mild intellectual, and/or physical disabilities. The camp, titled Camp for Health, Activity, and Motor skill Promotion, or CHAMP, focuses on several key areas:

Camp: Being part of a team gives children, especially those with autism, a sense of belonging, supporting their internal motivation and social needs. By the end of the week at CHAMP, campers are often more comfortable sharing, making friends, and expressing their personalities.

Health: Healthy habits (e.g., limiting sugary drinks, MyPlate meals, limiting screen time) are essential for maintaining a healthy weight and positive mental well-being. Children with autism often have a limited diet, so CHAMP encourages

healthy options like vegetables with peanut butter, fruit smoothies, and trail mix.

Activity: Physical activity is vital for children's health and preventing chronic diseases. All children, with or without disabilities, should engage in 60 minutes of physical activity daily. CHAMP includes fun and creative activities like judo, dance, and water balloon games to help kids reach this goal.

Motor Skill Promotion: Proficient motor skills are fundamental for participating in physical activity, sports, and recreation. CHAMP leaders work individually with children to enhance their motor skills through adapted teaching techniques.

CHAMP activities are led by Southeastern students pursuing careers in adapted physical education, with additional volunteers from various departments like social work and special education. The camp is a team effort to create a memorable experience for the campers!

Not only do campers learn about health from Southeastern students, but CHAMP collaborates with university partners in areas such as music education, nutrition, and athletics, and community partners like Downtown Yoga and Chappapeela Sports Park to make the experience fun and impactful for the kids. The goal is for the kids to have a great time and learn while at CHAMP!

To learn more about CHAMP, visit Southeastern's CHAMP Program.