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Confident Kids Camp
An intensive day camp for children with Selective Mutism, helping them apply their speech skills beyond the clinic to real-world settings.
July 29 through August 2, 2024
What is Confident Kids Camp?
Children with Selective Mutism can “get better” faster with CKC!
Rockville Therapy Center LLC has introduced Confident Kids Camp to the DC Metro area in 2019. Developed by Dr. Aimee Kortba, this intensive, multi-day camp is specifically designed to support children with Selective Mutism and/or severe Social Anxiety by helping them apply their speech skills beyond the clinic setting and into real-world settings such as schools and communities.
The camp offers age-divided classrooms for children ages 4-8, providing opportunities for peer-to-peer speaking practice. Returning campers aged 9+ may also be accepted as campers or Junior Counselors.
Our summer and winter camps have specific goals in mind! The Summer Camp (5-day) facilitates skill transition before the new school year, while the winter Mini Camp (2-day) enhances bravery mid-year, with immediate application in school and extracurricular activities such as playdates, sports, scouts, and clubs.
While research has shown the benefits of traditional therapy for Selective Mutism, which typically involves weekly sessions in a clinical setting, families and providers have recognized a crucial missing element: the need to generalize these gains to school and community environments in a more intensive manner.
Where
Temple Beth Ami
Rockville, MD 20850
Don't Wait
When
July 29 - August 2, 2024
9:15am-2:30pm
"This camp has been a very important step in our child’s SM journey. We saw immediate improvements. Dr. Scharfstein and her team are incredible"
The Camp Package
Faster Improvement
Better generalization of skills to real-world school and community settings compared to traditional therapy.
Cost Effective
More than half the cost at $3,100, compared to traditional therapy, which can run $7,000+.
Class & Play Activities
Engaging activities jump-start bravery for the new school year and extracurricular activities!
Special Guests
Community-based activities with special guests include a mobile petting zoo, a balloon artist, and therapy dogs.
Daily Counselor Feedback
Parents and counselors meet daily to review the child’s day, highlights, and areas of growth.
One-on-One & Group Therapy
Child-focused behavioral therapy in simulated classrooms, group games, cafeteria, prize store, and playgrounds.
Parent Skills Training
Daily 90-minute in-person sessions with Dr. Scharfstein at camp for SM treatment skills training, with live coaching on Thursday.
Junior Counselors
Jr. Counselors are peer speech partners and leaders who have nearly overcome SM or have no SM history.
Post-Camp Features
Transition progress to real-world settings with a written report, school and teacher training, and parent session.
2024 Camp Dates to Know
Mark your calendar and don’t miss out!
Registration Opens
January 10
2024 Camp Dates
July 29 - August 2
Lead-In Sessions
June 24 - July 19
Who benefits from CKC?
90% of campers improved in all settings!
Children ages 4-8 with Selective Mutism (SM) and severe Social Anxiety can build their brave voices right before the new school year.
Children with prior SM camp or therapy experience can gain advanced skills in self-advocacy, speech and play initiation, and large groups.
Children new to camp or therapy for SM can start to build their brave voices.
Parents engage in daily Parent Skills Training to learn crucial PCIT-SM strategies to decrease anxiety, increase speech, and prepare for the year.
Camp graduates with nearly mastered brave talking skills can be Jr. Counselors who serve as role models, peer practice partners, and can build leadership skills.
Camp Schedule
What is a Typical Camp Day?
Arrival and Warm-Up
Circle Time/Morning Meeting
Snack, Introduce New Skill
Group Games or Art Activity
Lunch/Recess
Special Community Guest
End of Day and Prize Store
Each activity is an opportunity to practice “brave talking,” decrease anxiety, and increase verbal communication and engagement with numerous peers and adults.
Parent Skills Training sessions are held daily at camp for 90-minutes with Dr. Scharfstein from 12:30-2pm. Although not a requirement, it is a real benefit for campers’ parents. Live parent coaching on Thursday.
Parent/Counselor Feedback: counselors give parents daily feedback about their child’s strengths and areas for growth from 2-2:15pm.
Confident Kids Camp Costs
CKC is half the cost of typical clinical treatments.
The 5-day intensive treatment camp allows 30+ hours of scientifically sound and effective treatment to be provided in 5 days versus the typical treatment of 45-minutes per week over 25+ weeks. The camp cost of $3,100* which is more than half the cost of typical treatment ($7,000+) includes:
- 25 child-focused therapy hours (5 hours/day)
- 7+ parent/caregivers-focused skills training hours (1.5 hours daily), live coaching Thursday
- Special guests, field trip activities, and other camp activities
- 3 hours total of uniquely crafted post-camp features: 1 detailed post-camp written report with custom recommendations, 1 School Team Training Session and 1 Caregiver Booster Session.
For cost-effectiveness, the intensive treatment model of CKC-DC Metro allows for 25 hours of intervention in 5 days, instead of 25+ weeks needed in typical psychotherapy. This is an excellent investment as a supplement to one-on-one therapy. But most important, intensive summer therapy camps have been shown to provide quick, effective treatment that generalizes well to the school setting.
*Note: Dr. Scharfstein’s returning clients and campers receive a $300 discount. Returning campers eligible for a Junior Counselor role receive a discount.
*Note: The Intake Evaluation and Lead-ins are not covered in the cost of camp and will be billed at our standard rates.
Insurance Coverage
Rockville Therapy Center LLC [Confident Kids Camp] is an out-of-network provider and does not accept any insurance plans. Thus, a registration fee is required at the time of registration and the full cost of camp is due prior to the start of camp.
Some insurance plans may reimburse a portion of the costs of camp, approximately 30-40%, according to families who attended similar camps. Services provided are specific to each attendee, so actual services eligible for reimbursement can vary. Reimbursement amounts are not guaranteed and vary among all insurance plans.
Prior to registering in camp, families are encouraged to check with their insurance company to determine if they have out-of-network coverage for mental health services. It is important to understand your insurance coverage and what you may need to do to get the best reimbursement possible. You may need pre-authorization for this treatment, so be sure to contact your insurance company to find out more information about the pre-authorization process.
Rockville Therapy Center LLC will provide a Superbill for all services that can be used to file claims with your insurance plan. Within 2 weeks following the completion of camp, you will receive a Camp Superbill with all necessary codes that can be used to file claims with your insurance company. For all pre-camp services (Intake Evaluation, Lead-ins, etc.), you will automatically receive a Superbill on the 1st of every month through our Client Portal system.
Diagnostic Codes
The diagnostic code on the Superbill will be F94.0 Selective Mutism and/or F40.10 Social Anxiety Disorder.
Procedure CPT Codes for Insurance
Pre-Camp Therapeutic Services
90791 (95)– Intake Evaluation (telehealth): A 55-minute virtual intake evaluation with a Camp Leader and the child’s parents. We will obtain background and necessary information to confirm a diagnosis, provide education and clarification, and create an individualized camp treatment plan.
90837 – Individual Psychotherapy Sessions for Camp Lead-Ins (Individual Meetings with Camp Leader and counselor): 60 min exposure sessions to desensitize the child to a Camp Leaders and the child’s first counselor. These are necessary steps to attend the camp; once met, the child is considered ready to participate in CKC-DC. It is unknown how many meetings will be necessary to meet this entry criteria for the camp, although most children are able to meet it within 4-6 hours (2 or 3, 2-hour sessions).
90785 – Interactive Complexity. This is an add-on code typically used for therapy services involving children.
Camp-Week Therapeutic Services
Each day of camp, the child patient will receive the following diagnostic codes:
- One 90837: 60 Minute Psychotherapy session
- One 90785: Add-on code for Interactive Complexity
- Three 90853: Group Therapy sessions
These codes are typically billable to most insurance plans.
"Confident Kids Camp was fantastic! We learned tangible and effective ways to better help our daughter. She was challenged to use her brave voice in ways that increased her confidence and were exciting."
Confident Kids Camp Results
What happens during and after camp matters!
Parents completed a satisfaction survey about their experience during Confident Kids Camp (CKC) DC Metro. Results are as follows:
- 92% had ‘very significant’ or ‘significant’ child improvement during camp.
- 100% were ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’ with the parent/caregiver training.
- 100% were ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’ with the counselor services.
- 100% were ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’ with the reward systems.
- 100% would recommend Confident Kids Camp DC to others.
- 100% were ‘always’ or ‘often’ treated with dignity and respect.
- 100% were ‘always’ or ‘often’ treated in an equitable, inclusive, and culturally sensitive manner.
Parents completed a questionnaire about the frequency of speech in various settings directly before camp and 4 months after camp graduation. Parent reports on this questionnaire indicated:
- 90% of campers improved at school
- 50% of campers improved at home/with family
- 70% of campers improved in the community
- 90% of campers improved in all settings
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What Parents Are Saying
Hear directly from our amazing camp families!
Confident Kids Camp FAQs
If you have additional questions, we're here for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Steps to Register
To help you get the information you need quickly and ensure a smooth registration process, please follow these steps carefully:
- Review all information provided below thoroughly.
- Complete all required steps for registration.
- Slots are very limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Keep in mind that registration is finalized only when ALL steps are complete and you have received an email confirming official registration.
STEP 1: Access Registration Packet
Access the registration packet by signing up: SM Camp Interest Form. This ensures you'll be among the first to access the registration details when they become available.
STEP 2: Complete Registration Packet
Complete the entire registration packet. Both parents will receive an email link from the secure system, SimplePractice, to complete the Registration Packet for Camp 2024. All parents/legal guardians must use the email sent to them directly to activate their own account and separately complete all forms.The Link expires in 7 days, so act quickly to reserve your spot. Completing the registration documents does NOT confirm registration.
STEP 3: New Families Phone Consultation
New families only may need a free 15-minute Phone Consultation with our Camp Coordinator to ensure camp fit. You will be contacted if this step is required.
STEP 4: Camp Team Reviews Paperwork
After completing steps 1-3, we will review your paperwork and contact you with next steps, which may include scheduling a phone consultation, or other steps. This usually takes 2-3 business days.
STEP 5: Pay Registration Fee (Final Step to Official Registration)
Approved families will have their Registration Fee processed using the card placed on file $1,550 ($1,400 for returning campers/clients). Campers are officially registered once this payment is received. The card on file will be processed according to the payment plan unless families indicate a desire to process the full camp payment at the time of registration.
Now you are officially registered! We will send you a confirmation email and to Schedule the Required Pre-Camp Services.
STEP 6: Schedule 55- Minute Parent Only Pre-Camp Intake Evaluation (Virtual)
Schedule a 55-minute Pre-Camp Virtual Intake Evaluation with a camp director or leader to discuss your child's history, your goals for camp, and learn more about camp preparation.
You are coming to camp! What’s next?
STEP 7: Schedule In-Person Lead-ins Sessions
Kids will be matched with a camp counselor (a student or professional trained by CKC in the treatment of SM) and we will reach out to schedule lead-in sessions. Lead-ins are required for camp, and scheduling is challenging, so please be flexible and responsive when you receive the email to schedule. Lead-ins are held in-person during June 24-July 19, 2024.
Registration opens in early January. The best way to tell if camp is full is by completing the SM Camp Interest Form or sending an email to our Camp Coordinator at camp@therapyrockville.com. If camp is full, you will get an email response, which may include an option to be added to the waitlist or to explore other possible treatment options.
CKC-DC will be held on Monday, July 29-Friday, August 2 2024!
Camp is held at Temple Beth Ami at 14330 Travilah Rd. Rockville, Maryland, which includes classrooms, cafeteria-style lunch room, and playgrounds for recess. ALL lead-ins will be held at Dr. Scharfstein office at 6000 Executive Blvd., Suite 530, Rockville Maryland, 20852. There is ample and free parking at camp, and ample and paid parking ($2/hour) at Dr. Scharfstein's office.
Typically, there are 6-8 campers in each classroom. Campers are grouped into age-specific classrooms to facilitate peer interaction.
For new campers only, we request 2 brief videos of your child to learn about their interaction in different social settings. One video should show them speaking comfortably, while the other should demonstrate a situation where they struggle to speak. Videos can be under 1 minute and from the past year. During registration please email the videos or provide a link to a private YouTube or Dropbox page to camp@therapyrockville.com.
We ask for those videos to be sent to us ASAP, but certainly prior to the 55 minute Pre-Camp Intake Evaluation, as they are considered part of how we assess initial fit.
Your child does not need to have a prior formal diagnosis of selective mutism. After registration, you will participate in a 55-minute Pre-Camp Intake Evaluation with a camp leader to learn about your child, their current speaking abilities, and treatment goals, and to confirm whether there is a diagnosis of selective mutism and/or social anxiety disorder.
We maintain a limited waitlist of just 2 people per classroom. Due to the high volume of registrations we receive each year, we advise families to register as soon as possible to secure a camp slot or a spot on the waitlist.
How can I join the waitlist and how long is it? Joining the waitlist follows the same process as regular registration. Families complete the registration packet and will be notified that they're on the waitlist. Each classroom's waitlist has a limit of 2 slots. Payment is NOT processed until your child is confirmed for a spot.
How will I be notified if I get off the waitlist? If a slot opens up in your child’s age group (classroom), we will immediately email the first person on the waitlist. We suggest responding quickly to that email, as we will continue to move through the waitlist until we find a match.
Will another class be added if there is enough interest for a specific age group? Unfortunately, we are unable to add another classroom once camp is full.
No slot can be held without a Registration Fee. The application is not considered complete until a Registration Fee is paid.
Yes, we encourage clients at Rockville Therapy Center (RTC) to consider CKC-DC as a component of their treatment!
We often collaborate with treating clinicians (non-RTC) during the intake process to gather more information. Please include your clinician's contact details in the Release of Information form in the Registration Packet. You can also encourage your child's clinician and school providers to get involved in camp: Volunteers Apply Here
We welcome children who are both treated with medication and not treated with medication at camp. If your child is medicated, please continue the prescribed intervention during the week of camp.
Yes, we welcome families from all over the country and world. Please note that the only language used at camp is English, and therefore children/parents would need a working knowledge of the English language to make the most of the camp experience. If there is a specialty SM camp available in your area, we may recommend it to you.
CKC 2024 is $3100 ($2,800 for returning campers/clients), paid out in 4 installments prior to camp. This cost includes 25 child-focused therapy hours and daily parent training during camp, as well as post-camp services of a personalized Report with recommendations (shareable with school/treating providers), School/Teacher training, and a Parent Group. New camper payments are $1,550 at registration, $550 on May 1, $500 on June 1, and $500 on July 1. Returning camper/client payments are $1,400 at registration, $500 on May 1, $450 on June 1, and $450 on July 1.
*Pre-Camp services (Intake, Lead-ins) are billed separately at our standard rates at the time of service, $250/hour.
Yes, we will charge the card on file automatically for the Registration Fee at the time of the registration and on the dates of each installment payment - May 1, June 1, July 1.
Yes, we accept HSA and FSA cards.
After the initial Registration Fee, we will charge the card on file automatically at the date of the next installment payment.
We provide a short grace period. We will immediately contact you and send you a new Credit Card Authorization Form; please complete this form with updated credit card information to hold your camp slot.
No, Rockville Therapy Center LLC [Confident Kids Camp] is an out-of-network provider and does not accept any insurance plans. Thus, a registration fee is required at the time of registration and the full cost of camp is due prior to the start of camp.
While some insurance plans may reimburse a portion of the camp costs (around 30-40% based on feedback from families), coverage and reimbursement amounts vary. Families should check with their insurance company to determine if they have out-of-network coverage for mental health services and understand any pre-authorization requirements.
Pre-camp services codes are 90791 (95) Intake Evaluation Telehealth, 3 codes of 90837 individual therapy, 60 minutes, and 3 codes of 90785 Interactive Complexity Code.
During-camp service codes are 5 codes of 90837 (Individual Therapy, 60 minutes), 5 codes of 90785 (Interactive Complexity code) and 5 90853 (Group Therapy).
Note: Rockville Therapy Center cannot accept any payment directly from insurance companies. Families must pay RTC directly.
Yes, we will provide a Camp Superbill within 2 weeks after camp. Monthly Superbills for pre-camp services will be automatically provided through our Client Portal system on the 1st of each month. Superbills are a detailed receipt of all services, procedure codes, diagnoses, dates, and costs.
If a cancelation occurs by July 1st, 50% of the overall CKC-DC costs will be returned except for an administrative fee. After July 1st, NO REFUNDS will be given. No refunds will be provided for services already rendered, such as the Intake Evaluation and Lead-in sessions.
Our camp is rooted in the “gold standard” behavioral therapy called Parent Child Interaction Therapy- Selective Mutism (PCIT-SM). Specific evidence based techniques include exposures, shaping, stimulus fading, reinforcement, and Child Directed Intervention (CDI) and Verbal Directed Intervention (VDI).
Lead-in sessions are conducted in the weeks prior to CKC-DC to provide an opportunity to establish speech between your child and a Camp Leader and their 1st counselor (a prerequisite for camp attendance). By having these sessions prior to camp, your child will enter the camp more comfortable with their 1st counselor and more prepared to make significant gains in verbal communication each day. The 2-3 lead-in sessions are approximately 2 hours each (4-6 hours total), though some will need more/less lead-ins depending on the child’s needs.
During this time, a Camp Leader will work with you/your child to establish speech to the greatest extent possible using behavioral intervention methods (stimulus fading and shaping). Then, a Camp Leader will work with your child and their 1st counselor to increase comfort and transfer that established speech to the counselor. Other CKC-DC team members may observe for training purposes and/or participate if your child is ready to establish speech with another CKC-DC member.
Communication during the lead-in sessions are important, and a prerequisite for camp attendance, as we have structured activities that we want all campers to be able to participate in during CKC-DC. If we are continuing to work to establish speech during the camp itself, your child would lose out on important therapeutic activities. For that reason, we will do all we can (within reason!) to facilitate your child’s speech during the lead-in sessions.
If, despite everyone’s best efforts, your child is unable to communicate verbally (a relatively rare circumstance), one of two options will result based on the lead-ins. We will either: (a) recommend additional lead-in sessions for your child, or (b) provide you with recommendations for your child, as your child may be better suited for other treatment options at this time. A portion of your camp fee will be refunded if we determine your child is not able to attend camp.
Your PCIT-SM skills (CDI/VDI) can strengthen your child’s success in the lead-in sessions. Master these skills and practice, practice, practice aloud with your child! We strongly recommend you: (a) Complete the free, 4-hour e-learning Selective Mutism University by Dr. Kurtz on CDI/VDI, (b) View Mock (In Person) Fade/Lead in Video (c) View Mock (Virtual) Fade/Lead in Video by FIU (d) Have your child’s favorite toys, games, art projects handy that can help facilitate speech AND have a reward picked out for bravery during the sessions. Stickers/points/bucks can go a long way!
While siblings cannot attend CKC-DC Metro camp activities throughout the day, siblings can be in the Parent Skills Training sessions with you. If siblings are in attendance, parents are encouraged to bring in items to keep siblings occupied (e.g., a device with headphones, coloring materials).
Parent Skills Training with Dr. Scharfstein is held daily from 12:30-2pm and is included in the cost of camp. It is a valuable supplement to your child's individualized treatment, aiming to help your family acquire and refine the skills necessary for your child to generalize progress at camp to real-world settings. Strategies will be taught to effectively reduce your child's anxiety and enhance their verbal communication. Attendance is strongly recommended and highly beneficial caregivers, but not required. Note: one parent must attend a portion of camp on Thursday for Parent Skills Training and Live Coaching.
Additionally, Parents meet with your child’s counselor for daily feedback from 2-2:15pm.
Camp families share a unique experience supporting children with SM. At camp, there will be dedicated Parent Casual Networking and many families enjoy connecting after drop-off to grab coffee or lunch, etc. Parents are also welcome to hang out in the Parent Training room to connect with other families or to use the Wifi. Families sometimes connect before camp through the Parents of Children with Selective Mutism Facebook page.
There is also plenty to do nearby in the DC Metro Area. There are many restaurants, coffee shops, and stores within walking or driving distance from camp.