Camp Academia is an educational consulting firm which believes that all childrens' learning experiences can be enriched. A student's parent recently stated, "Camp Academia has turned our years of tears of frustration into tears of joy." This is our goal for all students. By integrating the latest in neuro-scientific research and computer technology with individualized instruction, Camp Academia challenges students to reach for the stars as they become lifelong learners.
By toning and building students' processing deficits before learning, building team support at camp, employing motivational sessions and teaching the student effective learning techniques based upon the individual learner's processing strengths, our students will succeed far greater than our expectations in the academic arenas. We believe every student will achieve unprecedented academic success and simultaneously experience heightened self-esteem, accompanied by a greater appreciation for the wealth of knowledge they have at their fingertips. Camp Academia truly stands behind its motto, LEARNING JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT !
Camp Academia has four primary programs designed to help your child achieve their potential:
- Consultation / Testing Services - Full evaluation of your child’s strengths and weaknesses in learning utilizing both formal and informal methods and recommendations for charting their educational path
- Systems and Methods for Brainjogging – Research based Camp Academia learning tool designed to enhance learning efficiency and proficiency by “exercising” weak areas of the brain
- Academic Reserves - Monthly overnight sessions designed to give the students the boost they need to have a successful month
- Summer Camps - Camps designed to evaluate and prepare your child for the upcoming school year
About our Founder
In 1978, as a Learning Disability Resource Teacher, Shirley began her 30 year quest for better teaching solutions for her students. Influenced by Emory University's Yerke's Primate Center research utilizing the application of computer technology to facilitate language in primates, unknowingly, Shirley uncovered the critical components for ground breaking solutions necessary for autistic children's achievement today.
In June 1987, with only six students, she held her first "Camp Academia" in the basement of her home. Lack of money and exposure were big obstacles for this start-up enterprise. Students took turns sharing one computer to utilize her techniques as she taught from a portable blackboard. Again, there was rapid improvement. Students with A.D.H.D. and Dyslexia showed marked improvement in attention and reading ability. In a few short weeks, struggling students' teachers sent messages, "Tell Dr. Pennebaker that your child's medication dosage is now perfect!" (Shirley’s methods complemented medications.)
In 1990, when Shirley's five year old daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia, she applied her new methodology and was astounded by the results. Spurred on by her daughter's rapid improvement, Shirley started a new business that would help spread her methodology to the wider community of students with special needs.
Shirley moved 65 miles South of Atlanta to LaGrange, GA. Struggling in a much smaller environment, she set out to find a creative way to continue to serve her students. "Academic Reserves" was established at the Courtyard Marriott in Atlanta. She maintained a low overhead by driving to Atlanta on Friday mornings to evaluate new students in her hotel room. Parent conferences were held in the hotel restaurant, and all day Saturday classes were given in the conference room. Like today, many of her students with disabilities began to achieve A/B Honor Role recognition.
Shirley constantly implemented her new discoveries, through working with students. Ultimately, Shirley and her son created a groundbreaking software program known as Brainjogging. "Autism has been our greatest challenge and produced the most amazing success stories. We've yet to have a child who hasn't improved significantly, within weeks. The saddest aspect of treating autistic children is the number of treatments parents have already tried. By the time they arrive at our door and hear our success rates, they do not believe it could possibly be true. Then, when they see the results for themselves, they are upset that they did not know about us sooner."
Due to her unprecedented success with Brainjogging, Shirley was nominated for the 2005 Woman of the Year in Technology for small/medium business.
Shirley's goal is to improve 100% of her students. The grandfather of a five year old student from New Zealand said his greatest joy was seeing his grandson begin to recognize and play with his nine year old sister. Shirley says, "There is nothing more rewarding than bringing hopeful results to families."