Camp Shout Out is a one-of-a-kind program located within a typical, overnight summer camp environment.  For over a decade, CSO has gathered youth who stutter ages 8-18, board-certified fluency specialists, speech-language pathologists, graduate students, camp staff, and volunteers for approximately one week to grow as communicators.
 

The program draws upon research supporting the camp experience, therapy, and support for kids and teens who stutter. Guided activities are designed to encourage each participant to grow as a communicator through engagement in positive, motivating, and fun communication experiences.

Kristin Chmela develops and spearheads the hands-on training and holistic therapeutic program, in collaboration with Julie Raynor and Tom Chmela who bring summer camp and leadership training expertise.  They are joined by a team of extraordinary staff including highly qualified experts in the field of stuttering as well as enthusiastic camp and recreation professionals.  

CO-FOUNDERS AND CO-DIRECTORS

Co-Founder Kristin A. Chmela, M.A., CCC-SLP BCS-F 

Kristin feels her passion and dedication in helping children who stutter for over thirty years stems from her own experiences growing up with stuttering. She is a certified fluency specialist, and is nationally and internationally recognized for her work with children.  Kristin develops and facilitates the Training and Therapeutic Programs at Camp Shout Out, focused on helping participants develop a Healthy Communicator Mindset across Five Areas of Focus (TM) of strong communicators.  Along with her additional faculty and colleagues, she spearheads a hands-on experience supporting critical thinking and positive evolution of participants’ communication skills.  Kristin spends most of her time serving clients at the Chmela Fluency Center in the Chicago suburbs, and trains therapists in the areas of diagnosis and treatment of stuttering in children. Earlier in her career, she collaborated extensively with the Stuttering Foundation on educational videos and is senior author of The School-Age Child Who Stutters: Working Effectively with Attitudes and Emotions.  She also co-authored with mentor June Campbell, Working With School-Age Children Who Stutter: Basic Principle Problem Solving, and has published several fluency products.  Kristin continues to provide clinical training workshops on stuttering diagnosis and treatment and as former Chair of the American Board of Fluency Disorders, spearheaded the transition from recognition to board certification of specialists. Kristin has completed two 200-hour training programs in yoga, and integrates mindfulness practices into her work.  She collaborates closely at camp with her husband Tom, Director of the Leader-in-Training program.  Away from camp, Kristin loves spending time with her family, gardening, dancing, and painting. 

Co-Founder Julie Raynor, M.A., CCC-SLP

Julie has been a speech-language pathologist since 1986, working in a variety of settings. She currently is employed through Reeths-Puffer Public Schools in Muskegon, MI. Julie became interested in helping young people who stutter in 2007 when her young daughter woke up from a nap with a sudden and severe stutter. Since that time Julie has participated in numerous workshops and conferences dealing specifically with fluency. Julie has an extensive history of experience with summer camps first as an enthusiastic camper, camp staff member and volunteer for a variety of summer residential and day camp programs. Julie has been the recipient of multiple awards throughout her professional career including: Best Buy Teach Award, MEA Exceptional Person in Community Service, Michigan Lottery Excellence in Education, and National Life Group LifeChanger of the Year. Julie enjoys spending time with her two daughters who have been a part of Camp Shout Out since the beginning. She also enjoys running, reading and working in her garden.

Leader-In-Training Director Tom Chmela, M.A., Ed.

Tom received his Bachelors of Science in Physical Education from Aurora College and his Masters of Education-Sports Administration from Eastern Illinois University. He taught Physical Education at Evanston Township High School for over thirty-three years, developing and implementing curriculum for Adaptive and Developmental Learning Programs, and instructing the Adventure Education Course, Junior Leadership and Senior Leader Programs. He holds a Certification in Adventure Education and has coached soccer for more than thirty-six years at the youth, high school, Elite Travel, and college levels. In addition to teaching, Tom has co-implemented workshops for children who stutter and their families incorporating a team building approach with his wife, Kristin.

STAFF

Click on photo to read full bios.

Kyle Pelkey

M.S., CCC-SLP

Virtual Programs Co-Coordinator

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Diane Morean

Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Camp Facilitator

Nicholas J Caruso III

M.S., CCC-SLP

Virtual Programs Co-Coordinator

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