Tag Archives: Camp MI Way

Camp M.I. Way kicks off this year with the dedication of Phinny’s Field

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T.H. Rogers student Phineas Armstrong was recognized recently in a somewhat unconventional manner: a baseball diamond was named in his honor—but next year, it might actually be in a different location.

The dedication of “Phinny’s Field” took place on the campus of T.H. Rogers last month during Camp M.I. Way, which provides students with multiple impairments with daily opportunities to practice their communication skills. And though that campus has consistently hosted the event every summer for the past decade, if the camp ever moves, the name will travel along with it to wherever it may be held in the future. Continue reading

‘Camp MI Way’ Gives T.H. Rogers Students Multi-Sensory Experience

Fun activities and amusing songs are both part of ‘Camp MI Way’ at HISD’s T.H. Rogers campus, but the focus of this three-week-long summer camp is not recreation—it’s communication.

“The purpose of Camp MI Way is to give students with multiple impairments a chance to practice and expand their skills in an atmosphere of fun,” said Deborah Carr, the executive director of Home Run Hitters International. “Opportunities for participation in multi-sensory camp experiences with an attentive personal counselor are rare for most of our campers.”

Campers are guided in various activities by student volunteers from both T.H. Rogers and other nearby private and public schools who act as counselors. Activities are designed to engage the five senses, so campers might be encouraged to smell something pleasant or touch a silky fabric and then be asked if they want to smell or touch it again. Trained counselors watch and wait for their answers.

Since many of the campers don’t communicate through speech, this gives them hundreds of opportunities to do so by using movements of their head, legs, and fingers.