About Us
Learning on the Log (LOTL) was founded in April 2001 as a LLC registered in DeKalb County, Georgia. We started out with weekend hike programs providing sensory-based activities with an emphasis on strengthening social skills using the DIR®/Floortime model. A summer camp was offered in the summer of 2001. In 2002, we recognized the need for similar programs during the school year and expanded our programs to meet the need. In August 2003, Learning on the Log converted to a nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable organization. With a supportive Board of Directors, Armann Fenger, MS, LAPC, the Executive Director, and Katie Fenger, MS, the Development Director, provide the leadership for our dynamic, energetic and passionate staff.
Learning on the Log continues to find new ways to provide innovative programming for the Atlanta community including programs such as Afterschool, Summer Camps, Weekend activities, and contracts with many local private institutions around the Atlanta area. In four of the schools, LOTL played an integral part in not only launching the school, but also developing the recreational curriculum for social growth. We also have several partnerships with mental health and OT clinics. LOTL has had the pleasure of working with children as young as two and young adults as old as 30, all with varying degrees of developmental ability within and outside of the Autism Spectrum.
Our mission is to emphasize inclusive, experiential social skills therapy within sensory-based recreational interactions. In all of our programming, our 3 core principles are: INTERACT- Creating motivation to form relationships, RELATE - Building self-confidence through communication, COMMUNICATE - Expressing emotions within natural interactions. We believe that the supported practice and development of meaningful social skills will enhance each child's confidence and self-worth. Ultimately, generalization of these new skills will lead to more success with other family and peer relationships.
Since 2001, Learning on the Log has served over 650 families each year in the state of Georgia and surrounding states. We have raised over $575,000, which we have used to purchase three vans, six canoes, six kayaks, two white water rafts, one boat trailer, rock climbing harnesses, ropes and helmets and countless other equipment needed for programming. In addition, we have been able to award $25,000 in scholarships.
Our programming is unique because we emphasize social skills building in a recreational/movement based environment. The programs we offer include:
- 36 weeks of Enrichment Preschool programming (12 hours weekly to supplement development within the school setting)
- 36 weeks of Afterschool programming (11 groups each week)
- 12 weeks of Summer Day Camps
- 8 weeks of Preschool Summer Camps
- Monthly Weekend programming activities
- Staff training and development seminars
- Family events at local sporting events, restaurants, cookouts and swim parties.
Some of our activities include:
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Gymnastics-tumbling
- Team Sports-Soccer/Hockey/Tennis/T-ball/Football
- Team building games
- Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
- Karate
- Rock-climbing
- Orienteering
- Obstacle courses
- High Ropes course
- Laser Tag
- Archery
- Bowling
Learning on the Log uses the sensory-recreational element of each of these activities as opportunities to engage in meaningful interactions and help the children develop social skills. Our development goals include: making new friends, being a good friend, conflict resolution, turn taking, empathy towards others, and how to communicate feelings of anger, excitement, nervousness, being afraid, and jealousy. All of movement activities help the children to organize their thoughts, which in turn, enhances their ability to communicate and relate to their peers.