The inaugural camp blended movement, literacy and service, creating lasting impact for children, families and Concordia students.
For one week in June, laughter echoed through the halls of Concordia University Ann Arbor as children jumped, climbed, read, created and discovered that learning can be fun.
The inaugural Move & Groove Youth Literacy Camp welcomed students entering kindergarten through third grade for five days of movement-based literacy instruction. Offered at no cost to families, the camp was created to help children grow in literacy and motor development while giving occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) students authentic clinical experiences.
Concordia education students Suzanna Kaniarz and Ray Washington-Battle also played an important role throughout the week, working alongside the OT team to support campers’ literacy development.
By the end of the week, Emily Paul, OTD, assistant professor of occupational therapy, said the results had surpassed expectations. “By God’s grace, those goals were not only met but exceeded as we witnessed confidence, connection and genuine excitement for learning,” Paul said.
For OTD student Wynnie Reid, the camp became one of the highlights of her education, giving her the opportunity to work directly with children and see the impact of movement-based learning.
“Seeing their excitement and confidence grow throughout the week was incredibly rewarding and left me even more excited for my future as an occupational therapist,” Reid said.
Movement meets literacy
Throughout the week, occupational therapy and literacy instruction were intentionally integrated into every activity, Paul said. Rather than teaching foundational motor skills in isolation, children practiced them through literacy-rich activities that encouraged movement, play and participation. Occupational therapy principles were integrated into each activity, helping children strengthen reading skills while building confidence through purposeful play.
“Movement prepares the brain and body for learning,” Paul said. “When children develop coordination, balance, postural stability, visual tracking and body awareness, they are better equipped to focus, process information and engage successfully in reading and writing tasks.”
The camp also gave Concordia students opportunities to apply classroom learning while working with children of different ages. OTD student Celina Hinojosa said the experience allowed students to put their knowledge and therapeutic use of self into practice.
Throughout the week, Paul watched classroom concepts become tangible as students observed developmental skills, adapted activities and made clinical decisions in real time.
Growing together
As the week progressed, faculty watched campers become more willing to participate, stay engaged longer and tackle new challenges with confidence. Children also became more accurate in movement activities and took greater pride in their accomplishments. Obstacle courses, word-building games in shaving cream and gross motor activities helped learning feel like play.
OTD student Chloe Sagmani witnessed that growth firsthand.
“Watching the campers build confidence while having fun reminded me how meaningful occupational therapy can be when learning is made engaging and playful,” Sagmani said. “It gave me valuable hands-on experience applying classroom knowledge while building meaningful connections with the campers and their families.”
One of the biggest surprises, Paul said, was how quickly trusting relationships formed between campers and Concordia students.
“Once children felt safe and understood, they became willing to try new challenges, celebrate successes and encourage one another,” she said. “It was a wonderful reminder that connection is often the foundation for growth and healing.”
Serving families with compassion
The camp also reflected Concordia’s yearlong Serving Our Neighbor with Compassion initiative, pairing meaningful service for local families with hands-on learning for Concordia students.
“Concordia has a calling to serve both our students and our surrounding community,” said Erin Laverick, PhD, associate vice president of Campus Operations and Student Success. “It reflects our belief that education should extend beyond the classroom and become a blessing to our neighbors.”
Throughout the week, OTD students planned activities, adapted interventions and put months of classroom learning into practice while building relationships with campers and their families.
“I hope families left feeling encouraged, supported and hopeful,” Laverick said. “Above all, I hope they experienced the love of Christ through the kindness, dedication and service of our students and faculty.”
The impact of the week extended beyond the campers and their families. Faculty, staff and students passing through campus often stopped to watch the activities, many commenting on the joy and laughter filling the space.
One comment, shared with Paul after the camp, summed up the week’s impact. “A faculty member came to tell us they had overheard a camper say, ‘I never want to leave this place,'” Paul said.
For the inaugural Move & Groove Youth Literacy Camp, that camper’s statement said it all.
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Concordia University Ann Arbor is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world.
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