Unique camp program provides kids with important academic and life skills

Stewart Summer Success program: A collaboration between Children's Memorial Hospital and Chicago Public Schools

August 9, 2006 — All children need help learning to make friends, negotiate social situations and manage difficult feelings. Fortunately, for students at Graeme Stewart Elementary School in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood, there is an opportunity to learn and practice these skills during the summer. A unique partnership between the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Children's Memorial Hospital and Stewart School administrators, teachers and parents provides this opportunity.

With the support of Gregory H. Sachs, chairman and CEO of Deerfield Capital Management, the Stewart Summer Success program offers a continuation of the Safe Schools, Successful Students program provided to Stewart students throughout the year by Children's Memorial staff. The program is particularly geared to students who have social, emotional and behavioral issues that impact their academic performance. Many children with emotional and behavioral problems have difficulty processing social information, which frequently results in peer rejection and academic difficulties.

“Summer provides a great opportunity for students to focus on social problem-solving and friendship skills to boost self-esteem,” says Colleen Cicchetti, PhD, Children's Memorial psychologist. “We're trying to help these kids succeed by teaching them critical skills and providing them with an opportunity to practice using them so they can experience success in both academic and social domains. Success in both areas is critical to healthy development into adulthood.”

Approximately 100 students ranging in age from six to 12 are participating in camp this summer. A team of Children's Memorial professionals, in conjunction with the Stewart School staff and parents, works to provide opportunities for kids to learn how to manage their feelings and behavior, solve problems and make good decisions while increasing their self-esteem. Children spend half of each camp day in class focusing on academics. The other half of the day is spent in a coping skills group, dance, drama, art, sports and team-building activities.

The Children's Memorial team works with students to identify and manage feelings such as sadness, frustration, anger and fear. They learn specific skills including labeling feelings, finding alternative solutions to problems, and managing their emotional reactions through self-control and stress management strategies. The staff use kid-friendly terms including “Chill Outs” to describe removing oneself from a stressful situation, and “Take Five” to remember to stop, think and calm down before making any choice. One day a week the students go on field trips outside of school to practice their new skills.

“Children's Memorial has done a tremendous job reaching out to children with special needs throughout Chicago,” says Gregory Sachs. “It is truly a privilege for me to be able to sponsor this year's Stewart Summer Success Camp Program and to know that these children are not only having fun, but they're developing skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.”

Last year's camp was so successful, that a majority of the campers are returning. Ninety-seven percent of students enjoyed camp last year and most parents said they would send their children to camp again. In addition, 75 percent of children improved their behavior. Cicchetti expects similar, if not, better outcomes from this summer's program which began July 5 and runs until August 10.

Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, is recognized as one of the top 10 pediatric hospitals in the country by rankings published in U.S. News & World Report. Its physicians and psychologists are on the faculty at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. As a not-for-profit organization, Children's Memorial relies on philanthropy to help provide care to more than 102,000 patients and their families every year.