A week-long camp at Stony Brook Southampton brought together children and teens who stutter, offering them a supportive environment to embrace their voices and build confidence. Camp Dream. Speak. Live., held from July 28 through August 1, welcomed participants ages 5 to 16 for a free program focused on communication, connection, and self-expression. The camp was hosted by Stony Brook University’s Department of Speech-Language Pathology in the School of Health Professions in partnership with The Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research, marking its first appearance in New York State.
Camp activities included improv sessions with actor Josh Schubart, marine science workshops led by the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS), arts and crafts, a parade, and a talent show. Campers created banners sharing what they wish others knew about stuttering and formed new friendships that encouraged them to speak up.
“Rather than focusing on fluency, we focus on communication, confidence, and connection,” said Joy Kling, clinical assistant professor and Camp Dream. Speak. Live. program coordinator. “It’s about creating a space where stuttering is understood, accepted, and even celebrated.”
The camp also provided practical experience for graduate students from the Speech-Language Pathology program at Stony Brook Southampton. These students worked one-on-one with campers to foster an environment prioritizing self-expression.
“The change I’ve seen from when they came on the first day has been amazing,” said Maya Klatsky, one of the 32 graduate students involved in the camp. “On the first day, some kids walked in with their heads down. Now, by the end of the week, they’re excited to speak at our open mic, raising their hands and proudly using the microphone. It’s amazing to see how much their confidence and energy have grown in just a few days. They came in unsure and left knowing their voice matters.”
“Stuttering is considered a low-incidence area,” Kling explained. “Our graduate students learn about it in class, but therapy in the real world can look very different.”
“I truly believe this will be a meaningful and lasting experience for each of our students. This camp will inspire them to continue to work on communication, advocacy, resiliency, and education (CARE) with children who stutter,” added Kling.
The message of CARE resonated with campers like Trey Hopkins from Springfield Gardens, Queens: “It’s been great making friends and learning words like advocacy and resilience and what they mean, and what they mean to me.”
Renee Fabus, chair of the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Stony Brook University, expressed hope that these new friendships would last beyond the program: “It’s amazing to see the campers grow more confident and comfortable as the week goes on. They’re building real friendships with other kids who understand them and maybe even friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Ten-year-old Charlie Rosso from Riverhead shared that being among peers who stutter was new for him after facing bullying during school for his speech differences: ”It’s kind of really new for me because I’ve never really been around people who stutter like me. Usually I’m around kids who just make fun of me for it. So it’s a new experience and it’s a lot of fun. I realized here that if kids make fun of me it’s just their problem. I don’t care. It’s just how I am. We’re each our own person.”
Charlie described past frustrations when teachers or classmates finished his words for him but now feels empowered: “Don’t let it hold you back just like I won’t let it hold me back anymore. I don’t care what the teachers say or what other kids say. I’m going to finish that word; I’m going to finish that sentence; I’m going to finish that work. I’m not going to let stuttering hold me back.”
Charlie's mother Jamie Rosso—a speech-language pathologist at Riverhead Charter School—volunteered as a supervisor during camp week: “The biggest piece here is the confidence they’re promoting... What you have to say is important even if you struggle—say it anyway... Resiliency is a big part of CARE acronym,” she said.“We’re all trying to coach them through that—and show some moments might be hard—but keep going... A lot of this model is confidence-building acceptance—and feeling like it’s okay.”
Jamie noted changes in her son after attending: “And because of CARE acronym—and it being reinforced every day—that it’s okay still speak—and stutter—it allows him naturally step up—and continue say what he wants say,” she added.“This is week where kids don’t feel need hide their stuttering... You can see them start relax—because so much energy usually goes into trying not—to stutter... Pressure not here—we’re not talking about fluency this week—we’re having fun—it’s all about acceptance.”
Support for Camp Dream.Speak.Live.was provided by The Arthur M.Blank Center for Stuttering Education & Research,the School Of Health Professions Dean Stacy Jaffee Gropack & staff,Vice President For Strategic Initiatives And Executive Director Of Stony Brook Southampton Wendy Pearson & staff,the Speech Language Pathology Department faculty & community partners including local businesses.