Creativity took center stage on campus this week as the Occupational Therapy Inclusive Summer Camp got underway. From yoga and tie-dye to games and a cooking class, the campers stayed busy from morning to pick-up.

The week-long camp, now in its fourth year, is led by Assistant Professor Mary O'Donnell, as part of the Institute's Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. Each year, parents beam at the independence, self-awareness, and joy their kids show off at pick-up time.

OTD students Morgan Phippen, Laura Kohler, Casey Powers, Ella McLoughlin, Tess Williams, Alexandra Cheung, Sarah Wesley, Maggie Ma, Jami Lashinsky, and Mary Dishaw, accompanied campers ages 7 to 12 with developmental and neurological conditions through scheduled activities. They provided individualized OT support while gaining hands-on clinical experience and watching the kids thrive.

The tie-dye event on Wednesday was a hit, with each camper designing their own color-schemed T-shirt — focusing on the experience rather than achieving the perfect design. "Hey, perfect is tough!" one camper exclaimed mid-project.

"Tie-dye is one of their favorites," Dr. O'Donnell said, "next to Friday's event, when Spaulding Rehabilitation comes to play sports like soccer and basketball with the kids."

Campers also enjoyed a field trip to the USS Constitution and cooking class in addition to one-on-one sessions with the OTD student during what is a productive week for campers and student clinicians alike.