Fun in the Virtual Landscape
By mid-May it was clear to us that Bustin’ Barriers 2020 summer program would be different this year. COVID-19 was unrestrained, social distancing was essential and “Zoom fatigue” was creeping into some households after months of online learning.
Bustin’ Barriers families think of summer as camp time. It’s been that way for 8 years. When we announced that “regular” camp was cancelled this year, parents thanked us for putting their kids’ health first. Many also worried that summer fun would fall to the wayside. Nope, that wasn’t going to happen!
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade
- we took what we’d learned about Zoom and kids experiencing disability
- we identified games, activities and art projects
- we threw in “show and tell”, music, talent shows and dance parties and
blended it together with enthusiasm to create virtual camp.
Camp was on!
Real fun was about to happen in the virtual landscape of kitchens, living rooms and backyards
We met Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Drop off (i.e. login) began at 9:45 AM.
Screenshots may be blurry but they don’t blur the fun
- Mondays were “Movement Monday” – exercises, dance parties and a movement vibe
- Wednesdays were all about art with projects designed by Board Member and artist, Marilynn Rhodes
- Fridays offered dance parties, show and tell and talent show acts/videos
- Activity resources were available on our website for campers to access anytime. Never know when “you just ‘gotta move”
- Tee-shirts were hand delivered on the weekend or mailed to campers, and
- Sydney and Laura, experienced Bustin’ Barriers coaches created warmth and real fun in kitchens, living rooms and backyards – the playground of our virtual camps.
It was fun and we stayed safe.