The Kids On The Go mission is to recognize and facilitate the goals of children with special needs and to further develop their current skills through therapeutic and wellness programs for the children and their families.
We are excited to announce our programs for Summer 2025. Notifications of program acceptance will begin to go out May 1, 2025 All Kids On The Go programs are offered on a scholarship basis and fully funded by our generous sponsors. If your child receives a scholarship, additional information such as a health appraisal form signed by your child’s physician (KOTG will provide the form), IEP documentation, etc. will be requested.
In partnership with Dharamsala Yoga, we offered a unique camp for children with special needs, ages 5 to 14. This program focused on improving mobility, sensory integration, strengthening, emotional regulation, and speech skills within an imaginative and supportive group setting. Each session was led by a team of speech pathologists, yoga professionals, and dedicated volunteers. Children engaged in fun and relaxing yoga activities tailored to their individual needs, which helped them grow both physically and emotionally. It was the perfect environment for building skills, boosting confidence, and fostering connections.
In this custom-designed program, children will engage in fun and relaxing yoga activities tailored to their individual needs, helping them grow both physically and emotionally. It’s the perfect environment for building skills, boosting confidence, and fostering connection with others. Join us for a summer filled with growth, movement, and fun!
Campers ages 8 and up embarked on thrilling hiking experiences, exploring the great outdoors and tackling about 1 mile of scenic trails. Each hike was supported by a team of professionals, including a physical therapist and speech pathologist, which ensured a safe and enriching experience for every participant. This was a wonderful opportunity for campers to connect with nature, develop physical skills, and enjoy the outdoors while receiving personalized support from our expert team.
This is the perfect opportunity for campers to connect with nature, develop physical skills, and enjoy the outdoors while receiving personalized support from our expert team. Join us for a summer of adventure and fun!
** Please note parents MAY be required to stay on site for the duration of the hike
Our Literacy Camp was designed to make learning to read a fun and personalized experience. With 1:1 instruction, each camper worked closely with a dedicated teacher and a speech-language pathologist to practice their literacy skills. This dynamic duo tailored lessons to each child’s needs, ensuring they stayed engaged while building confidence and a love for reading.
Whether your child is just starting to read or looking to strengthen their skills, this camp provides a supportive, fun environment where reading becomes an exciting adventure! Let’s make this summer the one where your child falls in love with reading!
In collaboration with TC Philharmonic, campers learned about different musical instruments, their sounds, and how they are played. This included identifying various instruments, exploring their families (string, woodwind, brass, percussion, keyboard), and experimenting with sound production techniques. Older campers explored the “Orff Approach,” a holistic music education method that emphasizes improvisation, movement, and play. The program was designed to make music learning engaging and accessible, focusing on experience and creativity rather than rote memorization.
Orff Instruments
The Orff approach (also known as Orff-Schulwerk) is a holistic music education method that emphasizes improvisation, movement, and play. It’s designed to make music learning engaging and accessible for children of all ages, focusing on experience and creativity rather than rote memorization.
This unique camp brought together speech therapists and teachers who collaborated to create multi-sensory experiences for our campers. Little ones had the chance to read, craft, create, and explore Curiosity Place galleries. It was the perfect place to nurture curiosity and creativity in a supportive environment.
Each session is designed to help children explore, create, and develop new skills in a fun and interactive way. It’s the perfect place to nurture curiosity and creativity!
Every summer, our campers experience unforgettable moments of growth, fun, and friendship. Witness the smiles, movement, and magic that unfold when therapy meets play.
Stay tuned for Summer 2026 program information and enrollment.
Shannon is a Speech Language Pathologist who resides in Traverse City with her fiancé (Kyle) and two dogs (Maddy and Gabe). She first learned about Kids On The Go as a high schooler in the Metro-Detroit area. Her experience volunteering for KOTG inspired her to become a speech language pathologist. In the following years, she continued working for KOTG, attended Central Michigan University for her undergraduate degree, then University of Wisconsin-Madison for her graduate degree. Shannon became directly involved with the Kids On The Go Traverse City chapter after moving up north for her first job. Kids On The Go has been a life changing experience for Shannon and she is excited to take on a new leadership role within the organization and help it continue to serve our community.
Shannon currently serves as the Regional Director of Kids On The Go – Traverse City where she coordinates fundraising, marketing, and program development for the local chapter. She also serves as a member of the Kids On The Go Board of Directors.
Shannon stays busy with her work for Northwest Education Services and Kids On The Go as well as planning her wedding (November 2024) and continuing her education at Grand Valley State University to complete her certification in Special Education Administration. She enjoys spending time outside with her dogs, reading, and enjoying the scenery and restaurants that Traverse City has to offer!
Kathy is a healthcare executive with expertise in strategic planning, healthcare operations, physician contracting, service line development, financial analysis and budgeting. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI and a Master of Science degree in Health Services Administration from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant MI. Kathy is responsible for building an integrated network of cancer care within the Munson Healthcare organization.
As an Occupational Therapist, former administrator in the physical medicine and rehabilitation field, and early supporter for the KOTG program in SE MI, she is thrilled to be part of the Traverse City extension of KOTG. The camp programming that Kids on the GO provides to children is vital for maintaining the gains achieved each school year. Being able to extend these services to Northern Michigan is a bonus! She relocated from SE MI and now lives in Traverse City with her husband Dennis Lynch. Her family has owned a summer home on Little Traverse Lake in Cedar MI since she was a teenager, and has always wanted to live in Northern Michigan permanently!
Paul C. Zimmer is the Chairman of the Board of Allied Printing Company, Inc., in Ferndale, Michigan.
Founded in 1952, Allied Printing Co. helps organizations meet their marketing, communications and branding needs through commercial print, data-driven direct mail services, and fulfillment & distribution services.Mr. Zimmer purchased Allied Printing in 1971 and, along with partner Bob Straub, grew the company from eight to a staff of more than 90 employees today. For more than 47 years, Zimmer has led Allied’s sales and financial growth.
Mr. Zimmer is a past finalist in the state of Michigan Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the year competition, and a past recipient of the Ben Franklin Award, presented by the graphic communications industry. He has served on several boards including the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce; The Children’s Center of Wayne County (Detroit); Nomads Travel Club; and De La Salle Collegiate High School.
Mr. Zimmer and his wife Marilyn split their time between Grosse Pointe Woods and Traverse City, Michigan.
