At the House Of Music Therapy, we know just how overwhelming the transition from summer to fall and fall to winter can be, especially for kids and young adults. Settling into new routines, managing new schedules, and adjusting to Daylight Savings hours and changing weather can all make the day-to-day feel a little more…chaotic (to say the least).
But this isn’t our first rodeo! We’re eager to welcome more families into our winter camp programs than ever in 2022, because we’ve seen what a great resource it can be for anyone looking to bring more consistent joy and engagement into their children’s lives through music.
The winter season tends to be tough on almost everyone, and we’re so honored to be able to take a little bit of the holiday stress, cold weather blues, or general winter sadness off of our clients’ plates…even if only for a little while. Read on to learn more about the ultimate winter resource for South Florida families in need of additional activities and opportunities for their kids or teens.
Who Is Winter Music Camp For?
We’re big advocates of music therapy for any and everyone who feels they would benefit from an engaging, calm, enjoyable outlet for creative thinking, collaboration, or communication. At House of Music Therapy, we’ve prioritized winter music camps that welcome two different age groups, including 12 and under and 13 and above. We’ve seen first-hand the impact that music therapy and these camps can have on children during these key developmental stages.
While our clients come from all walks of life, many would agree that they face consistent challenges or obstacles throughout their day-to-day lives. Some clients are on the autism spectrum and looking to express themselves through music, others have ADHD and benefit from the stimulation of music therapy. Others have psychosocial, affective, cognitive, or various communicative needs. No matter the situation, we believe that you’d be hard pressed to find someone who wouldn’t benefit from music therapy, and that’s especially true of the vibrant young minds across our communities.
This year, The House Of Music Therapy winter music camps have been created specifically to assist young ones with things like reducing anxiety, expressing themselves, coping with seasonal change, socialization skills, sensory development, and more. Sound like something your kiddo could benefit from? We’d love to welcome them to our 2022 winter music camp roster!
The Benefits of Our Winter Music Camps
We might be biased, but our list of music camp benefits is practically endless. Okay, so we’re definitely biased, but it’s true that our music camp attendees tend to leave camp sessions in positive moods and continue to bring good energy into their day-to-day lives. While there are many benefits to music therapy for those with developmental disorders or mental health challenges, some of the most outstanding benefits we see include:
● Reduced blood pressure and heart rate
● Decreased muscle tension
● Distraction from pain or discomfort in the body
● Strengthened breathing patterns
● Deep, lasting relaxation
● Positive attitudes and optimistic thinking
● Better quality of sleep
The list goes on and on, but at the end of the day, one of our favorite things about music camps is the smiles we see and happy sentiments we hear from attendees of both age groups. Happy kids make us happy!
Winter Music Camp Options
We’re going big for 2022 with two uniquely exciting winter camp programs! Spectacular Sensory Sing-A-Long and The Winter Games music camps serve two different age groups in ways we know they can benefit most. Tailored to address relevant and topical challenges in their lives, these camps give our clients a chance to relax and enjoy themselves in the company of their peers all winter long.
Spectacular Sensory Sing-A-Long
Specifically designed for ages 4 through 12, Spectacular Sensory Sing-A-Long prioritizes musical activities that stimulate and soothe the senses. Through a series of Zoom meetings, campers can explore their sensorimotor skills through visual, auditory, tactile, and proprioceptive stimulation activities like scavenger hunts, dances, holiday songs, identifying sounds, and so much more.
This camp is especially great for clients looking to promote sensory integration, socialization, cognitive development, and sensorimotor development in their kiddos. And since we welcome campers with a diverse variety of backgrounds, we value all levels of participation and strive to create a comfortable environment for all.
Spectacular Sensory Sing-A-Long will meet virtually on Wednesdays beginning November 30 through December 21. For more information and additional details, click here!
The Winter Games
Created to benefit ages 13 and up, The Winter Games prioritizes socialization, healthy competition, and collaboration for teens and young adults. Also hosted via Zoom, this virtual camp allows teens and young adults to practice self-expression, anxiety reduction, seasonal coping skills, and communication skills with peers. We’ll work through activities like peer-to-peer dialogue, online music technology, song writing, lyrical analysis, and so much more. No experience is needed in any of these areas to get the most out of this virtual camp.
Meeting on Tuesdays beginning November 24, this 4-session Zoom-based camp is a great addition to any child’s winter schedule and can help them develop confidence and create consistency leading up to a busy holiday season. To learn more about The Winter Games, click here!
Winter Music Camp: Affordable and Accessible
We’re passionate about bringing music therapy camps to our communities - and beyond, and we believe that anyone interested in taking music therapy for a spin should be able to do so. We work closely with various programs and insurance companies to offer our winter music camps at affordable rates, if not free, for all who wish to participate.
Clients covered by Medicaid can access winter camps at no cost. We also accept funding from the Family Empowerment Scholarship. Questions about funding options? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We know that not everybody has access to insurance resources or scholarships, and we do our best to keep costs accessible for interested families in our community. Out-of-pocket costs for winter music camp through The House of Music Therapy is $100 per camp.
Interested in learning more? You can explore both camps here. We look forward to meeting you or your loved one virtually this winter season!