Who Are We?
Camp M.A.T.E.S. is a nonprofit Organization and a theory-driven sports, social skills, nutrition, and academic/life skills summer camp for children and adolescents with social skills deficits, including but not limited to ADHD, Autism, learning disabilities, and other developmental disabilities. Our counselors include a full-time psychologist, teachers, and graduate and undergraduates psychology, education and exercise science students. All of our counselors undergo federal background checks, have had previous experience working with children and complete HIPPA and ABA training prior to starting camp. The ratio of children to staff is at least 2-1 and is 1-1 for children who may need more assistance if the resources are available.
Don't just take it from us, hear from some of our campers here.
What Do We Do?
Camp M.A.T.E.S. runs from June to August on two days per week for a total of eight weeks. Each week of camp will focus on a different theme and there will be different lesson plans for social skills, nutrition, academics/life skills and physical activity. Camp M.A.T.E.S. is partnered with the University of South Carolina's Exercise Science department for the physical activity component of camp and The Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) for the nutritional component of camp. The day will be divided into three sessions of physical activity and games, two sessions of social skills, one session of nutrition, one session of academic and/or life skills, and a lunch block.The goals of the camp are to enhance overall physical health and increase psychosocial functioning, as well as to provide children and adolescent youth with social skills deficits a positive summer experience within a supportive environment.
Camp M.A.T.E.S. is a nonprofit Organization and a theory-driven sports, social skills, nutrition, and academic/life skills summer camp for children and adolescents with social skills deficits, including but not limited to ADHD, Autism, learning disabilities, and other developmental disabilities. Our counselors include a full-time psychologist, teachers, and graduate and undergraduates psychology, education and exercise science students. All of our counselors undergo federal background checks, have had previous experience working with children and complete HIPPA and ABA training prior to starting camp. The ratio of children to staff is at least 2-1 and is 1-1 for children who may need more assistance if the resources are available.
Don't just take it from us, hear from some of our campers here.
What Do We Do?
Camp M.A.T.E.S. runs from June to August on two days per week for a total of eight weeks. Each week of camp will focus on a different theme and there will be different lesson plans for social skills, nutrition, academics/life skills and physical activity. Camp M.A.T.E.S. is partnered with the University of South Carolina's Exercise Science department for the physical activity component of camp and The Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) for the nutritional component of camp. The day will be divided into three sessions of physical activity and games, two sessions of social skills, one session of nutrition, one session of academic and/or life skills, and a lunch block.The goals of the camp are to enhance overall physical health and increase psychosocial functioning, as well as to provide children and adolescent youth with social skills deficits a positive summer experience within a supportive environment.
Weekly Skill Themes:
Week 1 - Introductions & Maintaining Conversations
Week 2 - Communication Strategies
Week 3 - Problem Solving
Week 4 - Impulse Control
Week 5 - Sportsmanship & Bullying
Week 6 - Being Flexible
Week 7 - Anger Management
Week 8 - Emotional Regulation
Who Do We Serve?
Camp M.A.T.E.S. accepts children and adolescents ages 5 through 18 with social skills deficits. Campers will be split into four groups depending on both their age and developmental level.
We know our parents want the ‘right’ program, the one that will best help their child. We want every camper who attends Camp M.A.T.E.S. to have a great experience and in order to do that we request a lot of information to ensure that this occurs. We would like to help all children at all levels of functioning; however, based on our current resources and volunteers, we may not be able to accommodate your child. If we determine that your child is not a good fit for Camp M.A.T.E.S., we will provide you with other referrals. Typically, our campers have diagnoses including but not limited to Asperger’s, Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Anxiety, and other Learning Disabilities.
We know our parents want the ‘right’ program, the one that will best help their child. We want every camper who attends Camp M.A.T.E.S. to have a great experience and in order to do that we request a lot of information to ensure that this occurs. We would like to help all children at all levels of functioning; however, based on our current resources and volunteers, we may not be able to accommodate your child. If we determine that your child is not a good fit for Camp M.A.T.E.S., we will provide you with other referrals. Typically, our campers have diagnoses including but not limited to Asperger’s, Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Anxiety, and other Learning Disabilities.
Where Are We?
Forest Lake Presbyterian Church
6500 North Trenholm Road
Columbia, SC 29206
6500 North Trenholm Road
Columbia, SC 29206