OVERVIEW: The Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Program is a 6-week academic and residential experience for rising 11th and 12th graders (16-18 years old). There are 6 different academic programs to choose from (APEA, National High School Game Academy, Drama, Music, Architecture, Art & Design).

CONDENSED SEMESTER: Pre-College is a shortened version of a first-semester of college. Students not only experience a real classroom and complete Carnegie Mellon coursework, they also get a glimpse of what it takes to interact with professors, classmates and a roommate at a level they may have not yet encountered.

PREPARE FOR COLLEGE: Students who have participated in Pre-College return to high school with a much better sense of what they need to do in preparation for college or what college setting they may now either like or dislike. They may feel more confident about the college application process and going off to college.

OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM: While Pre-College is serious inside the classroom, and at times demanding, it is also a great social opportunity. Many classes meet on casual levels in the evenings, putting a fun spin on academics. There are weekend events organized for the students so they can explore the city in an exciting, but supervised atmosphere. Students have the opportunity to meet others from all over the country and the world. Bonds between classmates and roommates are typically strong and long lasting.

360o TAKEAWAYS: Students gain so much from their experience in Carnegie Mellon's Pre-College programs. They'll be challenged, but they'll also gain confidence from their new independence and will feel a sense of accomplishment having completed six weeks worth of real college-level coursework. We truly strive to make Carnegie Mellon "home" for the summer. Our sincere hope is that you find your summer college experience challenging and fun, exploring all that Carnegie Mellon and Pittsburgh have to offer.

Located on 100 acres. Our program offers a full day of fun including sports, arts & crafts, nature, Judaic programs, cookouts, swimming, ropes course, and more.

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind, barrier free fulfilled week away at The Woodlands! All Summer Camps at The Woodlands are created with the emphasis is on the campers Abilities rather than their disAbilities. Through a wide range of activities, these programs strengthen and support campers in the areas of socialization, recreation, independence, self-perception and health and wellness. All senses are engaged during their week at camp while they have the time of their lives participating in a wide variety of traditional camp activities that are modified and adapted to each individual needs by our trained and caring staff.

In addition, participants are able to connect socially with others in an environment of complete acceptance. Campers will involve themselves in activities that most campers enjoy every day, such as swimming, music, arts & crafts, nature activities, golf, archery, sports & games to practice communication and self-efficacy. We also apply routines for each camper to practice activities of daily living within our environment and sleeping/bathing units. You may also choose to experience the woodlands camps as a day camper as well, and work your way towards being an overnight camper, if you choose, when you are ready. We want to foster an experience that creates a very health separation between camper and parent/caregiver. Therefor we can accommodate both experiences. We strive to make every first experience one that will last a lifetime and kick start each participants road to imagining all the possibilities they are able to achieve. We are unique in that we provide camps for all ages. As a result, the friendships are campers develop at camp are truly sustainable and will grow with them as they do as well. The Woodlands is a home away from home for so many of our participants.

Summer Camps run Sunday through Friday, with overnight accommodations provided in the all accessible and barrier free and air-conditioned Woodlands’ Lodge and sometimes get to sleep under the stars in tents on-site. The lodge has 6 units, which house 8 campers each in twin beds. Each unit is specially equipped and has accessible bathrooms and showers attached.

Campers check-in on Sunday afternoon and are assigned to a unit that sleeps 8 other campers with similar needs, interest and abilities and a Woodlands staff member. They are also assigned to a highly qualified and trained Woodlands Counselor that has completed the Woodlands Camp Academy Training and Leadership program. Counselors are college students or emerging professionals in the fields of special education, social work, psychology, nursing, medicine fields, occupational therapy, recreational therapy or related areas. All campers rotate each day throughout the schedule of planned activities in 3 large groups with a staff ratio of 2 campers to each counselor. This gives campers an opportunity to socialize and explore the possibilities we have available here at camp together, with support from our staff. We also eat all of our meals in the dining hall as one large group to support socialization and community. *Participants are required to be able to self-regulate their own behaviors and need to be able to be redirected easily by staff in order to be successful in this program. We do encourage and support participants to bring their own 1:1 support staff to any Woodlands programs.

WHAT TYPES OF ADAPTED ACTIVITIES WILL CAMP WOODLANDS PROVIDE?

Music circles and drum circles

Camp fires

Sing-a –longs

Nature walks and tent camping

Swimming & Aquatic Activities

Golfing

Archery

Gardening

Zip lining

Healthy Cooking & Nutrition

Arts & Crafts

Yoga and guided imagery

Special performances

Talents shows

Therapy dog demonstrations

Sports & Fitness

Dance and Movement games

Goal Setting

Teambuilding

Social/Conversation games

Camp Woodlands focuses on the following 5 goals:

 Socialization

Program Goal: To provide opportunities to increase peer socialization and utilization of social skills for healthy relationships through recreational experiences.

 Independence

Program Goal: To provide opportunities to increase independence with self-care through practicing activities of daily living in a supported environment.

 Recreation

Program Goal: To provide opportunities to increase participation in adapted recreational activities in a group environment.

 Self-Perception

Program Goal: To provide opportunities to improve self-perception through positive recreational experiences.

 Health/Wellness

Program Goal: To provide opportunities to increase physical fitness through adapted physical activity and healthy cooking activities.