Therapeutic Special Needs Camp

“I still remember camp like it was last week. It was one of the many experiences that helped me reach where I am today. I am now a 19 year old entering my senior year. I couldn’t have done it without camp, so thank you. Thanks to the experiences I had in the program, I am fully integrated into the school and am excelling.” -Camper

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Camp Triumph

Camp Triumph is a therapeutic day camp for children and adolescents in Massachusetts. The camp program offers a supportive, encouraging environment designed to help campers increase their feelings of self-esteem and improve their social, physical and psychological competence. Camp Triumph is located at the E. Ethel Little School, 7 Barberry Rd, North Reading, MA 01864.

History

Camp Triumph opened in 1983 as a summer therapeutic program for children. Our program has been located on the north shore of Boston since 1991. The program has been located in Danvers, North Reading, Bedford and Winchester. Since 2021, Camp Triumph has operated in North Reading.

Philosophy

Camp Triumph was founded on the principle that children grow and thrive with the opportunity to interact with one another in structured play and cooperative activities. The child’s experience is enhanced through relationships with professionally trained counselors who are committed to children and are knowledgeable in techniques for facilitating change. By building rapport based on support and acceptance, the counselor is able to encourage and coach each camper to enhance his or her social development. Children learn to solve problems and develop positive peer relations while having fun and being creative.

Campers

Camp Triumph is a specialized summer day program for children and adolescents ages 6 – 16. Some of the Camp Triumph campers have not had a positive camping experience in a regular day camp, but do not require a camp for children with severe psychological, behavioral, mental, or physical difficulties. While our campers are very diverse, some of them have diagnoses such as ADHD, Executive Functioning Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Non-Verbal Learning Disability, Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder, and Anxiety Disorder. The group sizes for camp are up to 11-12 children per group with 3 counselors. The ratio in the groups is a 3:1 ratio with a licensed psychologist to supervise staff. Children who attend Camp Triumph may benefit in the following ways:

  • Acquire self-confidence
  • Increase physical skills and coordination
  • Develop better social skills
  • Learn to channel energy constructively
  • Learn age-appropriate behavior
  • Become more assertive
  • Reduce anxiety
  • Cope better with transitions

Camp Triumph is open to children regardless of sex, race, religion, ethnic background or disability.  This camp must comply with regulations of the MDPH and be licensed by the Board of Health.

Staff

Camp Triumph is directed by Dr. Allison Jekogian and supervised by Dr. George Marinakis, Dr. Chris Anderson, and Mr. Tim Niemiec, LMHC, BCBA, LABA, who are the Directors of the Triumph Center in Reading, Beverly and Lexington. Staff members include professionals and students with training in clinical and counseling psychology, school psychology, social work, and regular/special education.

Locations

Transportation

It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to arrange transportation. Campers are dropped off starting at 8:50 a.m Monday through Friday. Campers are picked up Monday through Thursday at 3:00 p.m. and at 12:00 p.m. on Friday at their respective sites. Camp Triumph provides transportation to and from Camp sponsored activities.

Special Services

  • Therapeutic group activities
  • Group discussion
  • Team-building ropes course for older campers
  • Expressive movement
  • Creative arts therapy
  • Behavioral interventions

Recreational Activities

  • Swimming
  • Arts & crafts
  • Team and recreational sports
  • Outdoor adventure
  • Cooperative/non-competitive games
  • Bus transportation to off site activities

Application Procedure

New Campers:

  1. Contact us for a brochure and application form.
  2. Send in a completed camper information form to Triumph Center, 36 Woburn Street, Reading, MA 01867 and a $150 check (interview fee) payable to: Triumph Center, no later than May 1st in order to set up an interview. The purpose of the interview is to ascertain individual needs and assist in determining the most appropriate group placement.
  3. All new campers must be interviewed prior to acceptance to the program. Interviews occur in Reading or virtually. Interviews for returning campers are not necessary.
  4. Following the interview, a signed application form must be submitted.

Returning Campers: Welcome back, please submit a signed application form to Triumph Center, 36 Woburn Street, Reading, MA 01867 no later than May 1st.

Acceptance Procedure & Forms

Once the application has been reviewed, written notification of the decision will be sent within two weeks. Campers are considered for placement on a first come, first serve basis. Further, in order to attend camp, once accepted, you must:

  1. Pay a $1,250.00 deposit within one week of acceptance letter.
  2. Submit completed health, immunization, and camper information forms.
  3. Pay balance due by June 1st to secure child’s spot in camp.

Fees

For all applications, $2,695 for a 3-week session, $1,895 for the 2-week session, and $7,285 for the full 8-week season.  For any child who has not participated in our group or summer programs within the last year, there is also a non-refundable $150.00 interview fee. The start date may be delayed because of make up snow day schedules. A bill for the balance due (registration fee and balance of tuition) will be sent to you with payment in full required by May 20th. In cases of financial hardship, at the administrators’ discretion, it may be possible to negotiate a payment plan. Contact our office with additional questions about fees and funding for camp.

Dates and Times

2023 Schedule

Period I June 26 – July 14*

Period II July 17 – August 4

Period III August 7 – August 18

Full Season June 26 – August 18

*closed July 4th

For the sake of group continuity, a camper must be enrolled for a minimum of one of the periods above. Camp hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to noon on Fridays

For More Information

To call, write or email, contact us.

Directions to Camp Triumph

In North Reading, click here.