Camp Helps Kids Learn To Beat Stress

WESTMINSTER, Md. - Stress does not just affect adults.

According to the National Association of Health Education Centers, children's stress levels have increased 45 percent over the past 30 years.

Youngsters are most frequently worried about parents, peers and grades, the organization said.

Sherri Mincher, a licensed massage therapist in Westminster, wants to help. Thinking about her son and the anxiety he suffers, she started Stress Busters Camp.

The camp lasts for five weeks, and teaches children breathing, stretching and relaxation techniques.

Mincher also encourages children to share their stressful experiences with the group, so that they all can work on developing coping skills.

"It teaches them to be more self-aware when things happen," she said.

Mincher conducted her first session in the spring; she hopes to have another session starting mid-July. The camp offers one 45-minute session weekly. The cost ranges from $90 to $113 for five weeks.

Mincher said she intends to limit each session to five children between the ages of 5 and 13.

"What I've found is a lot of these kids have social issues," she said.

Right now, Mincher is offering the stress class to children who have anxiety disorders, depression, attention issues and other special needs. She said if a parent has concerns about a child, she will meet with the parents and child, to determine how to best serve the child.

While Mincher keeps parents informed about what the children are doing with handouts, she wants to keep the class strictly for the youngsters.

"I feel it's something they need to do on their own," she said.

Kimberly Bell is the owner of Speech Pathways, a comprehensive speech pathology clinic in Westminster. She lets Mincher conduct the camp at her business.

"It's definitely something I endorse," Bell said.

Bell said Stress Busters Camp is a great complement to the other programs she offers at Speech Pathways. She believes that relaxation skills are important for children with special needs.

"They need ways to manage their stress levels," she said.

In the future, Mincher would like to offer the classes in a school setting.