Theatre Camp a SuccessExploring the Theatre, a Summer Day Camp for children with seizure disorders and their siblings, was a great success. In addition to routine camp activities, this innovative program provided an opportunity for children to explore the workings of theatre, to learn how a play is brought to life, and to craft their own plays, some "acting out" their own feelings about life with a seizure disorder.
Some peer group activities were designed especially for children with seizures, with other activities for their siblings, while others involved all the children. Older youth helped as mentors. The camp gave children with epilepsy an opportunity to develop a strong sense of self, to understand and develop their communications skills, to strengthen listening and memory skills, to conquer their self consciousness and to uncover their own hidden skills. Participants had a great time in an environment designed for them to meet others with similar challenges — whether the challenges of a child with seizures or of a child whose sibling has seizures — and to make new friends.
This first-of-a-kind project was a joint effort of Epilepsy York Region and The Curtain Club of Richmond Hill, with funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
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