Adapted Summer Camp Meets Unmet Need
The XploraMón summer camp, launched by the Reus-based association Diversitat en Acció, is providing adapted leisure activities for children with functional diversity during August. Held at Escola General Prim in Reus, the camp offers weekly sessions for around ten children, featuring excursions, swimming, workshops and games, all tailored to individual needs. For many families in the Baix Camp region, summer presents a significant challenge due to the lack of inclusive leisure options. Meritxell García, president of Diversitat en Acció, said the absence of adapted camps means some children remain confined at home with relatives who struggle to care for them. "There are children who stay locked at home with grandparents because the grandparents can't take them out," she said.
Focus on Socialisation and Autonomy
XploraMón aims to foster social skills and independence in its participants. Activities such as changing clothes, swimming, eating breakfast and handwashing are used as opportunities to build self-reliance. Each child receives individual support from a dedicated monitor, ensuring activities are adapted to their pace and abilities. "Everyone has their own rhythm," García explained, highlighting the need for personalised care. The camp also includes a psychology team, which adds to operational costs but ensures holistic support.
Family Support and Funding Challenges
The camp also serves as a vital respite for families. "We wanted to focus on the family, on parents and siblings," García said. "Often, therapies mean the child and parents go separate ways. We wanted the whole family to come." Parents share experiences and support one another, creating a community often missing in their daily lives. However, funding remains a major hurdle. The association relies on donations from the Fundació 'la Caixa', Fundació Privada Reddis, Comaigua, Fundació Roviralta, the Diputació de Tarragona and Reus City Council, as well as self-financing initiatives. Families already facing financial strain must also contribute to fundraising, a burden García stresses should not fall primarily on them. She advocates for systemic support to ensure the right to leisure for children with disabilities.
Next Steps for Families
Families interested in future editions of XploraMón can contact Diversitat en Acció directly or monitor the Reus City Council’s leisure activities portal for announcements. The initiative reflects a growing demand for inclusive leisure services across the Camp de Tarragona region, where current provision remains limited.
Primary sources: govern.cat, Ajuntament de Vilanova i la Geltrú. Reported by tarragonadigital.com, reusdigital.cat.
