FirstSteps for Friends: A Summer Social Intensive Designed for Learning, Growth, and Fun
Summer brings a change of pace for many families. School is out, routines shift, and parents often wonder how to help their child continue building important skills while still enjoying all the excitement that summer has to offer.
That's exactly why FirstSteps for Kids created FirstSteps for Friends (FS4F), our annual summer social skills intensive.
While the program incorporates engaging weekly themes and special activities that children love, FS4F remains what FirstSteps does best: individualized, high-quality ABA therapy designed to help children build meaningful skills and make continued progress.
What Is FirstSteps for Friends?
FirstSteps for Friends is a center-based summer social intensive that provides children with additional opportunities to practice communication, social interaction, flexibility, play, and other important developmental skills in a fun and engaging environment.
Throughout the program, each child's clinical team remains focused on the individualized goals developed by their FirstSteps Program Director. Activities are carefully designed to create natural opportunities for learning while helping children engage with peers, explore new experiences, and build confidence.
As Erin Silverman, M.S., BCBA, Director of FirstSteps for Friends Programs, explains:
"There is a lot of behind-the-scenes preparation that takes place to ensure the FS4F experience is fun, individualized for each child, and rich with learning opportunities. Our kids definitely keep learning at the rapid rate typical at FirstSteps and will have even more opportunities to generalize new skills to a variety of new people and contexts."
Why Continue ABA Services During the Summer?
Consistency is an important part of skill development. Summer can provide unique opportunities for children to continue practicing and strengthening the skills they have worked hard to develop throughout the year.
A summer social intensive like FS4F allows children to:
- Practice social skills with peers in structured activities
- Strengthen communication and conversation skills
- Build flexibility when encountering new experiences
- Generalize skills across different activities and settings
- Develop greater independence and confidence
- Continue making progress toward individualized goals
By maintaining therapeutic support while introducing new experiences, children can continue learning in ways that feel fresh, exciting, and motivating.
How Is FS4F Different from Traditional Summer Programs?
Unlike traditional summer programs that focus primarily on recreation, FS4F is intentionally designed around each child's individualized treatment goals.
Every game, craft, activity, and group experience is thoughtfully planned to create opportunities for learning and skill development. While children enjoy exciting, themed experiences, our clinical teams and Instructors remain focused on delivering high-quality ABA services tailored to each learner's needs.
The result is a program that feels special and different from the regular routine while still providing the individualized support families expect from FirstSteps.
What Are This Year's Themes?
Each week of FS4F features a unique theme that inspires activities, crafts, games, and learning experiences.
Week 1: Sunny Shores & Island Roars: A Tropical Adventure! ☀️
Week 2: Dreams Come True: A Magical Disney Week 🪄
Week 3: Barnyard Bonanza: Life on the Farm! 🧑🏼🌾
Week 4: FS4F Blockbusters: Our Favorite Movies and Characters! 🎬
A Summer Full of Opportunities
At FirstSteps, we believe learning and fun can go hand in hand. FirstSteps for Friends provides children with meaningful opportunities to strengthen social connections, practice important skills, and continue making progress all while participating in exciting, themed experiences they look forward to each year.
We are excited to welcome our current and new FirstSteps families for another unforgettable summer of growth, friendship, and learning.