What is Camp Treasure Chest?
Camp Treasure Chest is a unique summer day camp experience that uses speech, music and art therapy to help children and youth (ages 6 to 21) with developmental and related disabilities in Beaufort County to develop important life skills like conflict resolution, problem processing, and improved communications to enable them to live more inclusively in the local community.
The camp operates two four-week summer sessions for children and young adults ages 6 to 21. The first session is for young children 6 to 12 years of age, and the second session is for ages 13 to 21. Each session normally has 15 to 30 attendees. Many of the children who attend Camp Treasure Chest require one-on-one supervision and/or direction. Prior to each camp our staff receive extensive training from Beaufort County’s Disabilities and Special Needs (BCDSN) to effectively work with these children. Our staff is trained to provide sensory stimulation or de-sensitizing strategies for those children who require such intensive individualized care.
Camp Treasure Chest Core Curriculum
Our core curriculum concentrates on speech, music, and arts and crafts therapy, as well as health and wellness, food and nutrition, hydration, and exercise.
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy targets issues such as trouble speaking and remembering, helping children with logical thinking, problem solving, and learning new information.
Music Therapy
Music therapy is also an effective tool to use for stimulating and motivating a camper’s speech. Music therapy aims to facilitate positive changes in behavior and emotional well-being and is essentially a social activity involving communication, listening, and sharing.
Art + Craft Therapy
Art and craft therapy helps our campers to manage behavior, increase self-awareness, develop interpersonal skills, and reduce stress. The creative process of making art improves and enhances the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of campers with the aim of resolving conflicts and problems.
Talent Show
Students also participate in talent shows whereby these activities provide a platform for self-expression and teamwork. Talent shows encourages collaboration and creativity, improves self-esteem, and has proven to help many campers verbally articulate their experiences.
Camp Treasure Chest 2024
Dates: TBD
Location: 100 Clearwater Way; Beaufort SC 29920
Cost: FREE!
Camp Treasure Chest also offers interactive and inclusive games that promote teamwork and communication. Games such as scavenger hunts, relay races, and cooperative challenges provide opportunities for special needs students to interact, collaborate, and build relationships in a fun and supportive setting. Another important area of camp life involves educational visits to several historical and fun sites, such as:
- Charleston’s Museum and Aquarium
- Gullah Heritage Trail Tour
- Penn Center / Fort Fremont Preserve & Historical Park
- Hunting Island Tour
- Mitchelville Freedom Park
- Dempsey Farms
- And other activities
These outside attractions from camp provide much joy to each child and are most stimulating in child cognitive development.
Camp Treasure Chest Testimonials
What are the parents and camp counselors saying?
“I want to first start by saying ‘Thank God for Camp Treasure Chest.’ My son loved it!! He enjoyed all the activities and the trips they took. He talked about what he had learned every day. The only thing that made him sad was when the camp was over. Everything was wonderful. Thank you for everything you all have done.”
Deonna Clark
“My son Jason attended Camp Treasure Chest this past summer. I wish the camp was longer. Jason really enjoys the different activities and the interactions with the other students as well as the camp leaders. The camp is really helpful during the summer weeks because they help Jason in staying active with reading and writing. The trips are always so educational. Thanks Camp Treasure Chest for a very educational experience.”
Jacquelin Scott
“I want you to know how much we appreciate the camp sessions. The camp has been a nice highlight to my son’s summer. The camp experience allowed him many opportunities to have in-house sessions and to take trips into the community. My prayers are that the camp will continue to provide a nice safe program for years to come.”
Tracy Small
“As a mother of a young adult with severe developmental delays, I find true joy and happiness in the moments that make him happy. Camp Treasure Chest is the only one of its kind to give us the opportunity to attend because of my son’s need for intense supervision. Words cannot explain how truly amazing this experience was and how it will stick with my son and myself for a lifetime.”
Consuelo Guzman
“One young man was 6 years old when he came to Camp Treasure Chest. He was nonverbal. He would knock things over, jump up and down, and make noises. Those noises are now tangible words. Over the years we have learned to communicate with him and understand him. He is now entering high school. He is now able to participate with others. This camper continues to attend Camp Treasure Chest every year, and every year I can see growth in him. The camp has provided the opportunity for him to meet others, socialize, learn skills that he was lacking, and receive services that would not have been available to him during the summer (speech, music, and art therapies).”
Martha Griffin
Camp Counselor
“Camp Treasure Chest has been a blessing as well as a great experience for my son Ricardo. When in camp Ricardo learns to be with others, participate in classroom projects, and travel the outdoors with others, which is something different than being home all the time. The personnel running the camp are in my opinion very professional, responsible and dedicated in what they are doing to make this the best camp ever. During the last 4 years this has been excellent for Ricardo and for us as parents.“
Ricardo Colon
“I really see a difference in the campers from one year to the next. Speech therapy is great for our campers. When one young girl first attended camp, I could not understand her very well because her words were not clear, but speech therapy has made a big improvement with her and other campers. I just love seeing their faces and expressions when we go on outings like the Mighty 8th Museum. Camp Treasure Chest has been a great and wonderful experience for me and the campers who attend each summer.”
Angela Jenkins
Camp Counselor
“My child started attending Camp Treasure Chest (CTC) at the age of 6. He enjoys the camp to see old friends and to meet new ones. He very much enjoys the trips to different places and the art projects. The camp has helped his social development. Without Camp Treasure Chest he would not have been able to attend a summer camp. I am thankful for CTC for what they have done and will do for my child and others like him.”