--- title: Summer Wonders description: Summer Wonders showcases the benefits of inclusivity and individualized support in action. Our summer program brought together both neurodiverse and neurotypical children and teens, offering a safe and supportive learning environment. Through tailored instruction, carefully designed recreational and educational activities and support, participants not only gained valuable skills but also developed a greater understanding and acceptance of one another, fostering meaningful friendships along the way. --- [![Logo (1)](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/hubfs/Logo%20(1).svg)](https://pcdi.org/) ![PCDI Newsletter Logo](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/hubfs/PCDI%20Newsletter%20Logo.jpg "PCDI Newsletter Logo") # Summer Wonders By: [PCDI,](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/author/pcdi) Sep 28, 2023 9:06:28 PM [Inclusion](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/tag/inclusion), [Program Initiatives](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/tag/program-initiatives) ![Summer Wonders Hubspot](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/hubfs/Summer%20Wonders%20Hubspot.jpg) Summer Wonders was developed during the 2021-2022 school year and piloted over eight days in August 2022. Our goal was to create an integrated and individualized on-site experience for PCDI students, as traditional community activities, like summer camps, remained inaccessible to a large portion of our student population. To maximize learning opportunities, our season expanded to span two, full weeks, included 24 peer volunteers, and one college-intern. Our peer volunteers were comprised of 14 returning peer volunteers from our 2022 season, and 10 new peer volunteers which included close family and friends of our PCDI community.   Preschool and elementary-aged children were split into two groups. Lessons and activities were designed to encourage children to share and learn information about each other, and to invite interaction and cooperation through open-ended play, art, science, and gross motor activities.   Middle and high school students participated in group activities focused on using verbal and non-verbal cues to learn about others’ interests, identifying and utilizing others’ strengths during cooperative team challenges, and practicing sportsmanship through a variety of head-to-head competitions and games. Though we began Summer Wonders with the intention of building a community that was safe and accepting for PCDI learners, we simultaneously created something we did not anticipate: a groundwork for our peer volunteers to shift and re-shape their conceptualization of how individuals with autism contribute and enrich their communities.  ![Marshmellows and toothpicks](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Marshmellows%20and%20toothpicks.jpg?width=2512&height=1812&name=Marshmellows%20and%20toothpicks.jpg)   ###### Topics - [Celebrations](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/tag/celebrations) - [Program Initiatives](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/tag/program-initiatives) - [Dissemination](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/tag/dissemination) - [Inclusion](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/tag/inclusion) - [Teaching Strategies](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/tag/teaching-strategies) - [Adults with Autism](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/tag/adults-with-autism) - [Clinical Development](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/tag/clinical-development) - [Board of Trustees](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/tag/board-of-trustees) ###### Popular Post - [Summer Wonders](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/summerwonders) - [Compassion & Science](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/compassion-science) - [2023 Halloween](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/event-based-learning-0) - [Upper School Valentine's Dance](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/valentines-dance) - [Winter Holidays 2023](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/winter-holidays-2023) ### Subscribe Here! ### Similar Blog Posts [![](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/hs-fs/hubfs/BAB-3.jpg?width=352&name=BAB-3.jpg)](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/spring-sensations-a-triumph-for-pcdi) ##### [Spring Sensations: A Triumph for PCDI](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/spring-sensations-a-triumph-for-pcdi) ##### [PCDI Pacers Running Club: Shaping Steps](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/pcdi-pacers) ##### [Upper School Salad Bar](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/event-based-learning) [![Logo (1)-1](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/hubfs/Logo%20(1)-1.svg)](https://www.pcdi.org) - - - - ## Committed to *Transparency* Princeton Child Development Institute is proud to be a financially accountable and transparent organization. We’re recognized by charity watch groups such as Candid and Charity Navigator. PCDI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, pursuant to Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. **Tax ID: 22-1912964.** ![Four-Star-Rating-Badge-Full-Color-1](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Four-Star-Rating-Badge-Full-Color-1.png?width=2000&height=2000&name=Four-Star-Rating-Badge-Full-Color-1.png) ![candid-seal-platinum-2024](https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/hs-fs/hubfs/candid-seal-platinum-2024.png?width=522&height=522&name=candid-seal-platinum-2024.png) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "PCDI", "url" : "https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/author/pcdi" }, "dateModified" : "2023-10-02T00:26:07.330Z", "datePublished" : "2023-09-29T01:06:28.000Z", "headline" : "Summer Wonders", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/pcdi-news/summerwonders", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.princeton.pcdi.org/hubfs/PCDI%20Logo-2.jpg" }, "name" : "Princeton Child Development Institute" } } ```