BERRIEN SPRINGS — Under the guidance of Berrien Regional Educational Service Agency staff, Berrien County’s Peer to Peer program will host “Makin’ Waves in Berrien County.” The summer day camp is for middle and high school students with disabilities.

Camp dates are from 8:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 16, at Love Creek Nature Center in Berrien Center and Tuesday, July 23, at Riverview Park in St. Joseph. Prospective campers can register for one or both sessions.

“We are thrilled to be offering this one-of-a-kind experience for middle and high school students throughout our community,” said Kathy Hickok, Berrien RESA autism spectrum disorder consultant and Peer to Peer program facilitator. “What makes this camp unique is that it intentionally brings together [support] students with their same-age peers with autism and other disabilities. 

“Teams of students will encourage each other as they participate in a variety of camp activities, all the while strengthening connections, learning to support one another and growing their friendships,” she continued. “It is our hope that the camp will provide a meaningful experience for all involved and will make the upcoming school year that much better having established peer connections over the summer,” she said.

Both “Makin’ Waves in Berrien County” camp sessions will feature a scavenger hunt, non-competitive games, a community service project and an art activity.

Prospective campers can register at berrienresa.org by June 13, said organizers.

“Makin’ Waves in Berrien County,” created for students by students, is the result of the 2018 Community Conversation hosted by Peer to Peer students from across Berrien County.