The Neuroaid and Research Foundation (NRF) proudly conducted its first-ever Summer Camp for children with special needs from 2nd to 13th June 2025. The idea behind this initiative was simple yet powerful — to create a space where fun meets function, ensuring that children with special needs are not left out of the summer joy that many others experience. We recognized that school breaks often disrupt the routines these children rely on, so the camp was designed to maintain structure while offering joyful opportunities for social interaction, exploration, and self-expression in a familiar and supportive environment.
At NRF, our mission has always been to nurture ability beyond disability. Through this summer camp, we aimed to create meaningful experiences without compromising therapeutic support, promote skill development through play-based, theme-driven activities, and encourage inclusion, confidence, and a sense of identity among the children. Our goal was to maintain their routine while giving them a memorable and enriching summer experience.
The camp was held for two weeks, running Monday to Friday from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. The first week focused on the themes of animals and food, while the second week centred on emotions and self-awareness. Each day followed a consistent structure: beginning with a calming breathing activity, followed by theme-based activities such as social games, sensory exploration, art and craft, music, yoga, storytelling, and essential skill-building sessions. Volunteers led the music, yoga, and storytelling sessions, while in-house therapists managed the remaining activities. We also incorporated life skills such as hand washing before meals, toilet training, meal planning, standing and moving in lines, and encouraging children to take out and eat from their lunch boxes independently. Free play was integrated into the schedule to allow for spontaneous exploration.
Week 1 Highlights: Exploring the World of Animals and Food
The first week of the summer camp was centred around the engaging and relatable themes of animals and food. The journey began with “Hello, New Friends,” a day filled with ice-breaking activities, painting paper cups, and free play, helping children settle into the new environment with ease and excitement. The second day, “Beats and Bends,” was led by volunteer Ms. Deepti Vaish, a certified music and yoga instructor, who introduced the children to musical instruments and they created beats together. She also guided them through playful animal and food-themed yoga poses, combining rhythm and movement for a joyful learning experience. Day 3, “Sensory Sunshine on Yellow Day,” was dedicated to stimulating the senses, where children explored real objects using sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound, and engaged in a fun-filled meal planning activity to connect food with sensory experiences. On day 4, “From Cups to Puppets,” the creative spirit flourished as children used clay to make objects inspired by the week’s theme and transformed their previously painted paper cups into personalized puppets, encouraging imagination and fine motor development. The week ended with “Once Upon a Me,” a warm and engaging storytelling session conducted by author and mentor Mr. Sumit Sehgal. The stories helped them connect emotionally and imaginatively.
Week 2 Highlights: Emotions and Self-Awareness
Week two focused on helping children understand emotions and develop self-awareness. Day 6, “All About Me,” involved painting a large human figure and engaging in tearing-pasting for fine motor skills. Day 7, “Happy Hearts Day,” introduced the emotion of happiness through rhymes and group games. On Day 8, “Name It, Own It,” children created name-based table mats during Red and Blue Day and took part in meal planning by mixing ingredients and enjoying bhel puri and mango lollies. Day 9, “Feelings in Clay,” explored the emotion of sadness through clay modelling of happy and sad faces. The camp concluded with “Parent’s Day, a day dedicated to parent involvement. Children began the day with a mirror activity, fostering self-awareness and recognition, followed by an interactive storytelling session attended by parents that highlighted the therapeutic value of routines and shared stories. The final moments were filled with celebration, as certificates and folders containing all the children’s creations from the camp were distributed. Week two beautifully blended emotional development, creativity, and connection.
This ten-day journey was a celebration of inclusion, creativity, and growth. Each child left with new memories, tangible outcomes of their efforts, and improved functional and social skills. Parents had the opportunity to witness their children’s capabilities in a nurturing and joyful environment.
At NRF, we are committed to continuing such initiatives that bring therapeutic support and happiness together. This summer camp was just the beginning of many more meaningful experiences that celebrate every child’s uniqueness and potential.
