Children of all abilities from age 6 weeks up to fifth grade can enroll for three months of fun learning at Brainerd United Methodist Church Preschool and Parent’s Day Out Summer Camp. Year-round the school works with many students with special needs.
About 30 to 35 percent have a diagnosed special need.
Brainerd United Methodist Church Preschool and Parent’s Day Out director Emily Nasca, kneeling in center, hangs out with children enrolled in the program, who represent a variety of abilities.“In the summer, when we take school-aged students our special needs numbers are higher,” said Brainerd UMC Preschool and Parent’s Day Out Director Emily Nasca. “Anything outside of the norm is considered a special need. I don’t think that ‘normal’ is a reality anymore. Teaching to what they need to work on is better. Cloning by age in education is the old way of thinking.”
Launching May 21, Brainerd UMC will begin 10-hour weekdays of summer camp from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The program costs $25 per day and runs through Aug. 13.
The Chattanooga Zoo, Read 20, The Tennessee Aquarium, the Creative Discovery Museum, Kids on the Block, a dancing teacher, a cook and a karate demonstrator will all make appearances throughout the summer to teach children a variety of lessons.