When you think about camp, therapeutic experiences probably aren’t among the first things that come to mind. But, besides funding a fun camp experience complete with swimming, games, arts and crafts and all the other fun activities you may associate with your childhood memories of summer camp, TTFF realized the importance of funding therapeutic experiences as well.
Equine Therapy
When ENN (Exceptional Needs Network) started coming to camp in 2002, they brought vast knowledge about equine therapy with them. One of the mom’s involved with ENN, Peggy James, was a PATH Certified instructor (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship). In those early years, equine therapy was referred to as the “giddy up gals.” In 2007 the “giddy up gals” transformed into Reins in Motion led by Peggy James, Katy Kempton and David West. The three of them began working together providing therapeutic riding to the special needs community.
Horseback riding promotes increased mobility, strength, coordination, balance, postural control, communication and cognition. In fact, riding on the back of a horse simulates human walking more accurately than any other therapy tool known to man because of the way the horse’s pelvis moves. Hearing about the immense benefits that campers receive from an afternoon with the horses, TTFF decided to fund equine therapy through both Reins in Motion and Sonrise Equestrian Foundation.
Music Therapy
In 2011, TTFF was hearing many stories about music therapy and the affect it had on adults and children. After doing weeks of research TTFF contacted the University of the Pacific (UOP) in Stockton CA. As it so happens, UOP was one of the first universities in the country to offer a music therapy degree program, dating back to 1938. How lucky was TTFF to have this college in our “backyard”? We immediately contacted the director of the program and set up a meeting so we could get a crash course from the best source we could find. Off we went. We learned so much and received a list of local music therapists. And so the search to find a music therapy team that believed in TTFF and the work we were doing began. After over a dozen interviews, we met with Karen Sanchez and instantly knew she was our missing teammate. Karen was the founder of In Harmony Music, now known as The Pacific Resilience Center. Karen worked tirelessly to hire and get her team in place to help us launch our music therapy program, which took a fun turn in late 2012 when longtime TTFF supporters Steve & Barb Young became involved in music therapy. By a chance conversation with Elaine Taylor it seemed only natural to collaborate. The daughter of a childhood friend of Steve and Barb’s had died. To help honor her memory, the Forever Young Foundation, established Sophie’s Place to continue the work that Sophie Barton had started. As a talented singer and songwriter, Sophie would bring music and joy to adults and children in local hospitals. Together In 2013, TTFF launched Sophie’s Place a mobile music therapy program in partnership with Wells Fargo and the Forever Young Foundation. The mobile music therapy program brings music therapy both to camp and children in Northern California hospitals and hospice homes. Now having served hundreds of children each year we see firsthand the importance of this therapy.
Music therapy reaches far beyond the rhythms and harmonies that bring enjoyment to the listener. Although it’s not covered by insurance, music therapy is an established health service similar to occupational therapy and physical therapy. It addresses physical, psychological, cognitive and/or social functioning for patients of all ages. Music therapy provides emotional support and a safe way to express thoughts and feelings through singing, drumming, song lyric discussion, song writing and playing instruments. Because music is viewed as a fun activity, the therapeutic relationship is built quickly. Best of all, campers love their jam sessions with their music therapy instructors. For more information, click here.
SibShops
We hope to launch our latest therapeutic program, SibShops, in 2021. When a child becomes ill, it affects the entire family. This new program focuses on the siblings of those living with chronic and life-threatening illnesses, developmental disabilities, and youth at-risk. Sibshops provides young brothers and sisters peer support and information in a lively, recreational setting.
Siblings are encouraged to share the challenges and celebrate the joys with brothers and sisters in similar situations. There are currently more than 200 Sibshops across the United States and TTFF is excited to launch this new program in our local community. For more information, click here.