Bay Buddies is designed to offer a one-week hands-on learning experience in a stimulating environment that offers social interaction, respite for families, a continuum of educational skills, and participation in the broader community. Staffing is intensive to allow for appropriate medical support, as well as the safety of the children in the course of field trips and activities. Ask the kids what they think, and they just say, “It’s fun!”

Before this summer program begins, Arc staff members and our partners in Bay Buddies – Living Classrooms Foundation, Baltimore City and Baltimore County Public Schools, and Baltimore County Parks and Rec, start to plan. Staff review each child’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP) to identify specific goals that the child has been working on during the school year. Activities are tailored to the specific needs of each child. A typical day would include craft activities at the Living Classrooms campus, a visit to the Maryland Science Center with an IMAX movie included, or a sail on the Lady Maryland. The community outings focus on cooperatively participating in recreational activities, demonstrating socially acceptable behavior in public, and developing language skills. These outings also serve an additional benefit to the community by increasing awareness of kids with disabilities, thereby opening the minds of society to see people with disabilities as part of the community.

A sample schedule would include:

Monday - Marley the therapy dog
Activities at Living Classrooms Foundation (LCF) to include fish printing, paddle boat construction, paper airplanes, outdoor games, etc.
Cromwell Valley – Planting project

Tuesday - Visit to MD Science Center / IMAX movie included - LCF activities continue with bay exploration

Wednesday - LCF activities continue with crafts including items collected around the bay B&O Museum w/train ride

Thursday - Horseback riding at Maryland Council for Special Equestrians - LCF activities continue

Friday - Sailing on the Lady Maryland

For more information about Bay Buddies, contact Teresa Conroy at 410-296-2272 ext. 5337 or tconroy@arcofbaltimore.org.

Bay Buddies is supported entirely by contributions and grants. Thanks to
all our donors to this special program:

Allegis Group Foundation · Baltimore County Local Management Board  · CVS Caremark Charitable Trust · Giant
The John J. Leidy Foundation · Macht Philanthropic Fund
The Thomas W. Bradley Foundation · Venable Foundation ·
The Wachovia Foundation · The William S. Baer School