Finding Their Voice: Camp Empowers Children and Teens Who Stutter

“Camp Dream. Speak. Live.” Is Coming to Stony Brook Southampton July 28 to August 1

This summer, Stony Brook University will for the first time host a powerful program designed to help children and teens who stutter embrace their voices with confidence, connection and joy.

“Camp Dream. Speak. Live.,” an evidence-based, weeklong intensive treatment program developed by the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research at The University of Texas at Austin, is coming to Stony Brook Southampton.

From July 28 to August 1, the camp will be held from 9 am to 3 pm each day, and is open to children and teens between the ages of 5 and 17, with room for up to 32 participants.

Thanks to the support of the Arthur Blank Center and Stony Brook University, the camp is completely free for families.

“Our speech language pathology graduate students are eager to support the campers, reduce stigma around stuttering, and create a space where every child feels empowered to speak freely and proudly,” said Joy Kling, director of the camp, clinical assistant professor and incoming director of clinical education in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology in the School of Health Professions.

The camp is not focused on fluency — it is about empowering young people to become confident communicators, to feel good about their ability to express themselves and to reduce the negative impact stuttering might have on their daily lives.

Instead of targeting fluent speech as an outcome, “Camp Dream. Speak. Live.” focuses on:

• Increasing communication competence
• Improving self-perception and confidence
• Lessening the influence of stuttering on overall quality of life
• Enhancing peer relationships and leadership skills
  

The program, which has grown into a global movement since its founding more than a decade ago, now serves thousands of children annually across the U.S., Africa, Asia and Europe. Stony Brook University is proud to be part of the network of support and transformation.

Campers will engage in interactive workshops, one-on-one coaching, group activities and peer connections, all in a supportive environment led by professionals trained in the Blank Center’s approach. The emphasis is on helping children live fully and speak freely.

Families and community members who know a child who might benefit, or professionals interested in volunteering, are encouraged to reach out. For more information or to express interest in attending or supervising, email Joy Kling at joy.kling@stonybrook.edu.