Help Support Sweetser's Mission in Maine

Stories of Excellence

A Mother Appreciates Sweetser Summer Camp

Albert Einstein had it...Robin Williams has it...Michael Phelps has it...our son David has it. The 'it' is Attention Deficity Hyperactivity Disorder - otherwise known as ADHD. Not only does our son have ADHD, but he also struggles with other diagnoses. Children like our son have impaired functioning in multiple settings including the home and family, school, and in relationships with peers in summer camp.

For 11 years, finding the right summer camp was a struggle, which usually ended in lost work, time and frustration. We've tried several different summer programs - all unsuccesful. At first, David was labeled the 'problem kid' and then we would receive that dreaded phone call to come and pick up our son, because he was being disruptive. Or even worse, to hear our son describe his day, and the apparent lack of understanding regarding his ADHD needs and inappropriate camp interventions. Needless to say, each and every summer program experience was not acceptable to us. And by spring, once again, we began to feel the pressure to find just the right summer program...until now!

Our Sweetser School Based Clinician, Mary Lynn Corradi, LCPC, told us that Sweetser was starting a new summer camp. Immediately, I went to sweetser.org and signed him up! We felt a sudden sense of relief and hope that this summer would be a different one. Finally, a place where we could take our son to be safe, have fun and be treated respectfully around his emotional issues.

When asked to describe his first day at Sweetser summer camp, David said, 'Sweetser Camp was awesome! I love it! Can I go tomorrow?' This was the first time we had ever heard him say this about any leisure activity. Throughout the summer, he would get up two hours early, ready to go. He would come home happy and - here's something new - TIRED! He did things that he had never tried before like climbing trees, sitting in a yurt, riding a BMX bike on a play track - but also, he did things like each lunch with the other kids, laugh out loud and not get out of control. Most of all, he felt safe and comfortable to express himself and his creativity. For the first time, we had a productive summer and peace of mind, knowing he was in capable hands.

We are truly grateful to the Sweetser camp staff under the direction of Kate Winant. There is no other camp quite like this one! Sweetser's summer program has the right perspective. Rather than the usual negative comments about our son's behaviors, Sweetser camp gave David an award for "The Most Eager To Learn!"

Don't let Sweetser camp be Maine's best kept camp secret! We need to let other families, like ours, enjoy this valued community resource. We need to find enough funding so that this camp experience can be shared.

~ Lillian Scenna, Saco Resident

« previous | All Stories of Excellence | next »

What Our Clients Are Saying

We want all of you to know how very grateful we are for your care of M--. Your entire staff deserves great credit for doing their job so well. Certainly, we know the challenges to safety and sensibility that M-- can create. Everyone needs to know that there are places where crises can be man...

Full Story | More Stories of Excellence

Executive Office: 50 Moody Street    Saco, Maine    04072-0892    Phone: 1-800-434-3000    Copyright © 2010 Sweetser    info@sweetser.org