2027 Camp PAL Volunteer Summer Intern

Creative Speech Solutions, LLC (CSS) is actively recruiting for capable, enthusiastic and highly motivated Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy students for our Summer Internship program. This VOLUNTEER role is geared toward students who are interested in obtaining observation hours/volunteer experience required for graduate school as per the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Our internship opportunity is a six (6) week therapeutic summer program as part of Camp PAL (Play and Learn) for children with learning differences. A private practice started by Cynthia Marrapodi over 20 years ago has evolved into CSS, a multi-disciplinary pediatric therapy center with a dynamic team of speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and administrative support staff (with offices located in Summit and Montclair, New Jersey). CSS provides the following services in addition to Camp PAL: speech, language, occupational, feeding and literacy therapies along with social skills groups.

T he location of the camp is just a few miles from our Summit, NJ office at Southern Blvd Elementary School in Chatham, NJ. Camp PAL is a six (6) week program from June 29th until August 5th, three (3) days weekly (Tues, Wed, Thurs) from 1:30-4:30. Intern hours are from 12:45-5pm to assist with set-up and clean-up.

REQUIREMENTS

1) Students must be available and can commit to ALL 6 weeks in order to provide continuity for our campers.

2) Students are required to attend TWO (2) in-depth MANDATORY training sessions prior to the start of camp. The 2 mandatory dates are TBD and will be held in May or June 2027. The first will be via Zoom and the second on site at Southern Blvd School.

3) TWO (2) Letters of recommendation (preferably from experiences with children) are required at the time of interview or soon after. *Students do not move onto the next step in the process until recommendation letters are received. Referee should send letters (on letterhead) directly to [email protected]*

This unique opportunity provides undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on experiences and great insight into understanding and observing therapeutic intervention strategies for children with a wide variety of developmental disabilities in a camp-like environment. Additionally, students will have the ability to see children progress and learn through play. Summer interns will have the opportunity to observe and assist talented certified therapists who are fully prepared to offer highly motivated professional interns instruction and opportunities to learn the most up to date therapy techniques. Additionally, interns will have the ability to see first hand how children progress as a result of this intervention. The benefits interns receive from participating in this unique opportunity will enrich their academic experience, and provide students with knowledge and skills that they will be able to utilize throughout their careers. This wonderful opportunity will be something that will take students through school and beyond. CSS also offers a detailed and customized letter of recommendation for graduate school to interns who demonstrate strong performance during our program.

Over the past several years, we have realized not only the unbelievable need for a camp like ours, but also the remarkable benefits it has for children with learning differences. Camp PAL is based on the philosophy that all children deserve a traditional summertime experience, but not at the expense of missed opportunities for essential therapy or needed support. Camp PAL offers the perfect mix of summertime camp fun and therapeutic intervention! At Camp PAL, traditional summer activities such as sports, arts and crafts, music and games provide an array of opportunities to expand children’s communication, social and educational skills. Children participate in small group therapy activities that focus on fun, skill acquisition and positive group dynamics. Creative Speech Solutions’ dedicated team of speech-language pathologists, music therapists, reading specialists and occupational therapists runs our small, carefully constructed groups. We take pride in developing groups that both challenge and nurture each child, diligently matching children of similar skill sets to promote friendships, self-confidence and a strong sense of community. Our unique camp offers goal-directed activities that provide each child with endless opportunities to grow, socialize, explore and develop new skills with just the right amount of structured support. Language, social and sensory activities are infused into each component of the camp day with the ultimate goal of teaching the children to transfer these skills to real life situations.

• Please visit and review the camp section of our website. https://www.creativespeechsolutions.com/services/#camp-pal . You will see links to our brochure, flyer, and videos/slideshow from past summers. Also take a look at the registration form to see the types of questions we ask the parents.
• Lastly, please visit our social media on Facebook and Instagram prior to continuing on in the interview process.