Pioneer students kick off their summer with Camp Explore

CHILLICOTHE— The Pioneer School held the first week of its annual, free camp with crafts and sensory-based play.

The eight-day camp is called Camp Explore and is Pioneer's first camp of the summer. It is geared toward Pioneer students with developmental disabilities who cannot be in the heat for long periods of time.

The activities are in line with traditional camp projects, but foster skills like social, fine motor, sensory, gross motor and language development.

Students were transported to different eras of time each day with Viking and dinosaur-themed activities. Thursday's theme was pirates and students created pirate chests and matching eye patches.

Taking place at the Pioneer School, the children have access to the school therapist, an accessible playground and a sensory room for ideal breaks. 

The Ohio Elks Association Cerebral Palsy Fund awarded $4,900 to Pioneer School to fund Camp Explore, as well as a $400 scholarship for students with Cerebral Palsy to attend Pioneer Pony Camp, a one-week equestrian summer camp.

Pioneer will host two more camps this summer: Pony Camp from June 20 through 24 and Art Camp from June 27 through 30.

Megan Becker is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. Call her at 740-349-1106, email her at mbecker@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @BeckerReporting