WISP Summer Camp Program
Learn more about Watson! Watch Watson's informational video! Camp WISP The Watson Institute Summer Program, Camp WISP, is an inclusive therapeutic summer camp program for children with autism and related disorders. WISP is a model inclusive summer program that enables children with autism to be integrated successfully into typical summer camps with their peers. The program operates in multiple sites, trying to provide the child with services near their own neighborhoods. The program time and duration vary according to the camp schedule. Typically, a camp program lasts eight weeks, from mid June to early August, and runs from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. School districts can contract directly with The Watson Institute for services. The program emphasizes teaching social skills within a typical summer camp environment, using capable peers in naturalistic settings. All children in WISP receive intensive intervention emphasizing the development of social skills within a typical summer camp environment, utilizing peer models of appropriate behavior. Some children require one-to-one staffing in order to be successfully included within the summer camp setting, some are able to share specialized staff, and some children require no more than consulting services. Therefore, staffing arrangements are flexible and individualized in accordance with the needs of the child. Since this is an intensive therapeutic program rather than merely a daycare or recreational program, it is important that children attend on a regular basis for the duration of the program. If the family will be away for an extended period while camp is in session or if your child has recurrent conflicts with the camp hours, Camp WISP may not be an appropriate option.
Selection Criteria Children are being selected for the Camp WISP program based on several factors, including the availability of appropriate slots. Children who attended the camp program in the previous years are given first preference. Preference is also given to children currently receiving wraparound services or educational services through The Watson Institute, as well as to children who have been on the waiting list previously. Ability level or severity of symptoms is not a factor in the selection process, although any safety factors (most camps are open-air programs) would have to be taken into consideration. Geographic factors, age, and sex of the child often must be considered, since we may have an opening develop in a particular group of a particular camp site. Therefore, it sometimes happens that children who are far down on the waiting list may be offered a slot. For more information about The Watson Institute Summer Programs (WISP), please call Carolyn Belich, assistant service coordinator at(412) 749-2895 or (866) 893-4751 ext. 2895 or via e-mail carolynbe@thewatsoninstitute.org. Decision Timeframe After we have hired sufficient qualified staff to cover children returning to the program, we begin to notify families if we are able to add additional children. We continue to recruit staff through the spring. We can generally let families know where they fall on the waiting list and what the chances for acceptance will be by mid March. Submission Materials If you are interested in having your child participate in the Camp WISP program, please download, complete and either fax or mail the CAMP WISP APPLICATION or request a paper version be sent to you by calling 412-749-2895. Completed paper forms should be sent to: The Watson Institute FAX: 412-741-0855 Please include with the the applicatin a copy of your child’s IEP, most recent psychological and educational, and speech/language evaluations, and any other pertinent documents offering relevant information about your child. This information will be reviewed during the selection process. Admission Procedures If it appears that we may have space for your child, we will contact you to arrange for the next steps. For those who will receive services through the wraparound program, we generally need to see the child and family for an updated psychological evaluation. Camp evaluations for those children selected will begin in the spring. We meet with each family before the start of camp to determine the goals to be addressed and to collectively draft a treatment plan.
The Watson Institute Summer Programs (WISP) welcomes qualified individuals to work in our inclusive summer program. WISP allows children with autism and related disorders to be integrated into a typical summer camp experience with typically-developing peers. WISP operates at several sites throughout the Pittsburgh area. Hours and days vary based on the site, but most programs operate from mid-June through early August, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Individuals recruited for any of the WISP programs will receive specialized training and close supervision provided by psychologists with extensive backgrounds in the field of autism. The Watson Institute is an approved professional education provider (Act 48). Individuals recruited for WISP camp programs are eligible for 25 clock hours or credit. Individuals interested in receiving clock hours must be present for the entire camp session. Several positions are available.
Submitting an Application and Resume Applications can be completed and submitted on-line or resumes can be faxed to (412) 741-1958. For more information, please contact Melissa Painter, director of human resources at (412) 749-2866 or 1 (866) 893-4751 ext. 2866 or via e-mail melissap@thewatsoninstitute.org. |