Daniel is a nine-year-old boy who has been stuttering since 1st grade. He attended Camp Shout Out for the first time in 2016 and is looking forward to returning in order to continue increasing his confidence and communication skills. This project will raise the necessary funds for Daniel to attend Camp Shout Out in 2017. We are asking you to consider making a donation to send Daniel to camp where he will "Build Communication Skills for Life" as he makes a difference in his community.
Stuttering is a communication disorder occurring in up to 5% of all school-age youth, many of whom experience a great deal of fear when faced with everyday communication situations. Daniel has been stuttering since early childhood and receives speech therapy in the school environment where he is the only one who stutters. He has had some uncomfortable situations in school and in sports because of his stuttering and has learned to handle them with grace and confidence.
At Camp Shout Out Daniel is surrounded by others who stutter. He gains self-confidence and is able to communicate without the fear of teasing or bullying while learning how to help others understand stuttering. His school speech therapist wrote: "Since attending Camp Shout Out, I have seen a significant improvement in his self-esteem and willingness to advocate for both himself and others who stutter. Camp has truly helped him blossom into a caring advocate and wonderful young man."
Daniel's mother wrote: "Since camp Daniel has become a wonderful mentor and advocate for kids with speech disorders. He needs Camp Shout Out to continue to educate others as well as feel comfortable himself. He has never acted like more of a kid than he has since camp and for him to have that level of comfort now is just everything." Daniel has a motto: "Be a sprinkler!" The water that comes out is knowledge and the grass you water are the people you are teaching. Daniel is making a difference.
