Page 79 - Petelin, Ana, et al. Eds. 2019. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of Children and Adolescents. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo / Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 79
effects of therapeutic camps for children and youth psihosocialno zdravje v otroštvu in v mladosti | psychosocial health in childhood and youth
with disabilities
Lucija Rojko, Karmen Brence, Brigita Marc, Saša Kastelic, Andrej Starc
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, Zdravstvena pot 5, 1000
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Introduction: Therapeutic camps are conducted to foster the physical and psy-
chosocial development of children and youth with a wide range of disabilities.
The camps have been designed for a variety of purposes.
Methods: The descriptive research method with a critical review of Slovene
and English professional and scientific literature was used. The review was re-
stricted to studies published since 2009 to 2019. Bibliographic databases CI-
NAHL, Medline and ScienceDirect have been searched.
Results: The activities are therapeutic as well as enjoyable, which has effect on
mental and physical well-being and encourages social skill development. The
camps provide to the children and youth a unique opportunity to socialise, ex-
pand their social networks, and develop a sense of belongingness. A safe envi-
ronment provides new experience, encourages their independence, and ena-
bles them to effectively combat the stigma.
Discussion and conclusions: Therapeutic camps are extremely beneficial since
they target the specific needs and challenges facing the daily existence of chil-
dren with disabilities. All the activities are adapted to the needs of the par-
ticipants, including outdoor activities, activities of daily living, while special
emphasis is placed on the instruction in appropriate relaxation techniques, co-
existence and self-care. The activities promote a sense of belongingness since
the participants are integrated into a group of individuals whose members face
similar daily challenges.
Keywords: therapeutic camps, disabilities, children, youth, psychosocial
development
77
with disabilities
Lucija Rojko, Karmen Brence, Brigita Marc, Saša Kastelic, Andrej Starc
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, Zdravstvena pot 5, 1000
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Introduction: Therapeutic camps are conducted to foster the physical and psy-
chosocial development of children and youth with a wide range of disabilities.
The camps have been designed for a variety of purposes.
Methods: The descriptive research method with a critical review of Slovene
and English professional and scientific literature was used. The review was re-
stricted to studies published since 2009 to 2019. Bibliographic databases CI-
NAHL, Medline and ScienceDirect have been searched.
Results: The activities are therapeutic as well as enjoyable, which has effect on
mental and physical well-being and encourages social skill development. The
camps provide to the children and youth a unique opportunity to socialise, ex-
pand their social networks, and develop a sense of belongingness. A safe envi-
ronment provides new experience, encourages their independence, and ena-
bles them to effectively combat the stigma.
Discussion and conclusions: Therapeutic camps are extremely beneficial since
they target the specific needs and challenges facing the daily existence of chil-
dren with disabilities. All the activities are adapted to the needs of the par-
ticipants, including outdoor activities, activities of daily living, while special
emphasis is placed on the instruction in appropriate relaxation techniques, co-
existence and self-care. The activities promote a sense of belongingness since
the participants are integrated into a group of individuals whose members face
similar daily challenges.
Keywords: therapeutic camps, disabilities, children, youth, psychosocial
development
77
