Case Study #1

Description

The county sponsors Camp Lots of Fun, a day camp for children and youth, most of whom have developmental disabilities. DO-IT hosts an Internet lab at the camp.

Instructional and Technical Team

DO-IT staff members provide overall coordination of the Internet Fun program. A special education teacher is the lead instructor. Camp counselors help individual campers in the lab.

Goals

The goal of the Internet Fun program is for campers to learn basic computer skills and explore recreational activities on the Internet.

Materials

Internet browser and filtering software are used to access Internet resources. Campers come to the lab on a drop-in basis. A Web page with links to Internet resources appropriate for the ages, interests, and skill levels of campers is created. As campers enter the lab, they are presented with this Web page and assisted in making selections. More advanced students learn to use electronic mail and perform Web searches. Staff take digitized pictures and help campers write bios to put up on a camp program Web page. Each camper receives a certificate of participation.

Facility and Computers

Camp Lots of Fun uses an existing high school computer lab for the Internet Fun program. There are one or two campers at each computer station. DO-IT provides adaptive technology and other accommodations for campers who cannot use standard computer devices.

Internet Service

The facility used for the lab has an established Internet connection.

Program Integration

All campers have opportunities to participate in the Internet lab activities that are offered in the morning and afternoon. The home page presented to them as they enter the lab is tailored to camper interests and abilities. The page is dynamic and is changed over the course of the camp as new resources are found, interest in old resources is exhausted, and campers express their interests. Most campers are escorted by adult assistants who are part of the Camp program and assist campers with Internet activities.

Publicity

The Internet Fun program is publicized through regular Camp mailings and is also publicized in the DO-IT News newsletter. No special registration for Internet Fun is required of campers.

Camp Contact Information

Camp Lots of Fun
Scott Hall, Pierce County Parks & Recreation Department
9112 Lakewood Drive SW, Suite 121
Tacoma, WA 98499-3998 206-593-4176