Puerto Rico plans summer camp for children with diverse needs to enhance educational resources

A proposed summer camp for children with diverse abilities took center stage during a recent meeting of the Camara de Representantes in Puerto Rico. The initiative aims to provide continuous development and recreational opportunities for these children during June and July.

Licenciada Aldaira Figueroa, the interim associate secretary of special education, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Department of Education, Recreation, and Sports, and families to ensure the camp's success. She noted that while schools already have structures in place for summer educational programs, the proposed camp duration of two months may be too long. Figueroa suggested a shorter timeframe within the existing summer educational period, which currently spans twenty days.

The discussion also highlighted the need for a collaborative agreement among various agencies to integrate additional services into the schools that are already open. This approach would leverage existing resources, such as safety measures and meal programs, to enhance the camp experience.

Professor Ángel Arroyo added that there are approximately thirty-nine centers across the island dedicated to supporting these initiatives. Efforts are underway to restore management of these centers, which had previously been overseen by the Puerto Rican Paralympic Committee. The goal is to increase the number of operational centers to between forty and fifty, ensuring they are available for educational purposes.

Vivian Figueroa, director of the adapted physical education program, was also present, reinforcing the commitment to work together to elevate the quality of services available for children with diverse abilities. The meeting underscored a collective effort to create a supportive environment that fosters growth and inclusion for all participants.