All-Smiles Program at Chehaw Park & Zoo provides educational experience for special needs children

ALBANY, Ga. – Chehaw Park & Zoo is not only a place for families to come and have fun, but they also host camps that cater to your little ones.

The All-Smiles program at Chehaw Park & Zoo are on the fourth Friday of every month and are designed specifically for children with special needs.

Educator under the Artesian Alliance, Madeline Pond, talks more about their educational programs.

“We do our wonderful summer camp programing as well as our winter break and Thanksgiving Camp Programming. During the school year we like to offer things to younger kids as well. So, here at Chehaw we have our Cubs Programming, at the Aquarium, we have our tadpole time, and over at the Thronateeska Heritage Center, we have our Tricera-Tots. We do have our All-Smiles Program as well, which is more targeted toward children with different needs or special needs. We want to make sure education is available to all ages, starting young, getting them interested in science,” said Madeline Pond, Educator, Artesian Alliance.

This program utilizes a sensorimotor approach and children are encouraged to touch, smell, and feel all appropriate items.

Pond talks about what the children love most about camp.

“They love our zoo trips; they love to go see the animals. Anytime they get to see an animal, a lot of the times they have fun facts for me as well. They love our different crafts; the parents love the crafts as well. Getting to do something with their hands, hands on that they get to take home. Something that they get to be creative, customize themselves. They really enjoy that. It brings them joy, and it sparks creativity in their day,” said Pond.

De’Andra Jacobs reporting.

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