“Keep Rowing”: The Motto for A Camp That Celebrates Every Voice

Campers standing in front of a green tent
Campers worked on different camping skills at Bohemian Flats Park, including putting up a tent. Photo courtesy of the Julia M. Davis Center.

For many kids, summer camp is a chance to play sports, explore hobbies, and hang out with friends. But for kids who stutter, the Sioris Family University of Minnesota Kids Who Stutter Camp isn’t just a typical day camp—it's a chance to build confidence, community, and family.

Camper’s Growth Through Communication

“The inspiration for camp came from my own experience of attending summer camp,” says Erin Bodner, camp co-founder and director. “Summer camp played a pivotal role in my own childhood development, and I wanted to combine that with the special considerations that come with being a kid who stutters.”

The camp takes place primarily outside or in fun locations, typically at classic UMN sites or in partnership with local organizations. In previous years, campers have toured Huntington Bank Stadium, crafted in the Walter Library Toaster Makerspace, and explored the Minnesota Robotics Institute. Bodner says these experiences let campers combine real-world communication skills with summer fun. “They’re not on their phones, not on social media. It’s an opportunity for them to be present.”

Bodner, also a person who stutters, says it is very affirming for the campers to be in an environment where stuttering is the majority. “Camp leadership and volunteers are all people who stutter, and they’re incredible role models.” For instance, the camp hosts a “Team Mentor Day,” where camp alumni return to lead group activities and discuss challenges they have faced, such as dealing with bullying and teasing. “The team mentors also hold a panel discussion with campers’ parents and caregivers. Bodner reaffirms that it’s important to both parents and their children to learn more about the stuttering experience from those who have been through it themselves. “We aim to help our campers build confidence in their communication skills and to help them recognize the importance of their voices.”

“Keep Rowing”: New Camp Structure

In the last several years, the camp curriculum has been updated to better suit the needs of campers. Previously, the camp was held in two half-day sessions for different age groups. Now, the camp meets all day on weekdays, and the ages range from students entering 5th to 9th grade. “We felt that in this age group, the campers are more open to having deeper conversations about the social-emotional aspects of being a kid who stutters,” Bodner says.

Another clever update comes in the new camp motto, an adaption of the iconic U of M football coach PJ Fleck’s motto “Row the Boat”. Campers are taught to “Keep Rowing”. “No matter life’s weather,” the [camp's] motto states, “it’s your choice to keep rowing!” 

Not only does this motto play into camp activities, but also the personal lives of campers. It encourages them to take risks, be a team player, self-advocate, and more.

Bodner has also decided to extend the end-of-camp reception and discussion panels for parents, caregivers, and community members. She says these receptions are paramount to helping others understand the challenges that come from being a kid who stutters.  “[The campers] have a unique opportunity to teach others how to be better listeners, communicators, and allies.” Extending the receptions allows parents more time to see the progress their children have made and learn more about how they can best support them

The receptions are extremely important for the campers as well. It provides them an opportunity to do public speaking in front of a larger audience. Bodner recalls a camper asking to give a speech in front of the entire reception. “Their parents hadn't ever seen their child talk in front of such a large group. It was really, really moving for them to see that.”

Rebecca Lulai, the director of clinical programs in speech-language pathology who oversees the camps as part of her role at the Julia M. Davis Center, recalls the poignant moment. “There [wasn’t] a dry eye in the room. It’s so powerful that communication is so impactful.” 

The U of M Davis Center’s Support for Stutter Camp

Bodner co-founded the camp in 2009 as a graduate student in speech-language pathology. She’s now a clinical supervisor in speech-language pathology through the University’s Julia M. Davis Speech-Language-Hearing Center.

“[The camps] are under the umbrella of the Davis Center, but in other ways, it’s kind of its own entity,” Lulai says.

Beyond the camps, the Davis Center works to primarily serve students, alumni, and adults from the wider Minneapolis community. According to Lulai, the Davis Center has a dual mission: building foundational skills in graduate students through hands-on learning and supporting the communication needs of the community.

In addition to speech therapy for those who stutter, the center provides numerous other services, especially for U of M students and community members. Gender-affirming communication, hearing aid support, and speech recovery after brain injury are just a few of the many services available. 

Looking Ahead: More Connections

Bodner and Lulai both hope to continue to broaden the scope of both the camps and the Davis Center. “We’ve been toying with some ideas of expanding to have it be more than one week, or doing some minicamp things during the school year,” says Lulai.

Another goal they have is to facilitate parental communication throughout the school year. “We want parents and caregivers to create connections and stay in touch during the winter. [The] friendships campers build with each other can be very strong,” Bodner says.

She also wants to continue to partner with local organizations and U of M facilities to keep camp authentic to the summertime experience. “It’s all about creating our camp family.”

The Sioris Family University of Minnesota Kids Who Stutter Camp is proof that you are not defined by your differences, but rather united through them.

Make it possible for more kids to attend the camp

The camp is largely made affordable due to the generosity of the Sioris family donors. Scholarships are also offered on a need-basis to ensure students of all backgrounds get the opportunity to participate.

Sioris Family Endowment for Young People Who Stutter

Registration for 2025

Registration for this summer’s camp will be available soon. For more information, contact Erin Bodner at [email protected].

 

This story was written by Rory Schaefer, an undergraduate student in CLA.

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