Local News/Autism Camp

[lucigo]

I wanted to share this news story from our local autism camp that I am volunteering at this summer. It focuses on the teenagers volunteering as typical peers. My DS is only 5 and goes to the other campus but my DH teaches in this classroom. I love that one of the teens says what we keep hearing over and over - that we go into it thinking we will be teaching the kids and they end up teaching us!

http://www.weartv.com/players/news/angels/video.shtml

 

[1stluvispooh]

My DD goes to a Autism camp here as well. The first year that I sent her I was blown away by the teenage volunteers!! They are awesome and 3 years later there are several that are still doing it. This year actually the head of the camp was amazed at how many volunteers showed up at the before camp meeting.

 

[lucigo]

Isn't that just awesome! These kids are our future therapists, physicians, and maybe even the ones who will find a cause and a cure!

 

[KirstenB]

Luci, a little ot, but I love the photo of your son with Jo-Jo. He's a handsome little boy!

 

[lucigo]

Luci, a little ot, but I love the photo of your son with Jo-Jo. He's a handsome little boy!

Aww thank you!

We had an exciting week at camp, for the first time he was able to tell me something that happened during his day.. he told me he was the line leader - a very big deal for a 5yo boy apparently LOL

 

[worm761]

Can I ask how much this camp costs? What are the dates? Is there an age limit? My DS has aspergers, 12 yrs. Would this be a good thing for him? We are in pensacola. Are you a part of the local autism society? I met one of the ladies once and tried asking a few questions and she was very rude and nasty with me. I never went to a meeting because of her. Scared that the rest of the group would be just like her. Any info would really help. Thanks!

 

[lucigo]

Can I ask how much this camp costs? What are the dates? Is there an age limit? My DS has aspergers, 12 yrs. Would this be a good thing for him? We are in pensacola. Are you a part of the local autism society? I met one of the ladies once and tried asking a few questions and she was very rude and nasty with me. I never went to a meeting because of her. Scared that the rest of the group would be just like her. Any info would really help. Thanks!

The camp runs for 6 weeks from the middle of June to the end of July, from 9am-3pm. I'm sorry to hear you encountered someone who was rude, I assure you the Autism Society of the Panhandle is a great organization with lots of ways to meet other parents, get information, and join in on activities.

The PJC campus has children with Aspergers. It would be a great experience for your son. The key to getting your child into camp is to become a volunteer! There is a big waiting list, and although we increased the size this year from 50 to 75 kids, there is still a waiting list

Please PM me for information on cost.

 

[bookwormde]

Lucigo,

Sound like a great program, we had a local social skills camp but the sponsoring organization would never even come out and see the wonderful for the lady who set it up was doing so she finally got frustrated with the lack of support and gave it up. Now I wish I had been more assertive with making sure to drag the sponsoring organizations leaders down to see what amazing progress the children were making with minimal resourses.

Worm761 (another “worm” on the board)

I agree, do not let one person turn you off. Some people have very different experiences with their autistic children than we do as aspergers parents. Some do not even consider aspergers as being “true” autism. This extends into some of the Autism society chapters.
The good news is that awareness is getting better within the autism society. You will probably find your best information and support through a local aspergers support group.
Contact the aspergers coordinator for the local Autism society, if they do not have one just get on their email group and generally the aspergers support groups are included in the notices (along with some great seminars).

One thing I try to remember when working with parents of children on the spectrum is that there is a very good chance that at least half of them have at least 1 spectrum characteristic of their own.

bookwormde

 

[lucigo]

One thing I try to remember when working with parents of children on the spectrum is that there is a very good chance that at least half of them have at least 1 spectrum characteristic of their own.

bookwormde

This was my first thought RE the rude encounter LOL

Our camp includes the entire spectrum, from kids who need 1:1 care, to kids who are participating in the local jr. college programs for typical kids with the help of autism support counselors.

The camp wouldn't exist without the very generous donations from our community. ASP raises over $100K a year to make this camp happen, most of which comes from a black tie dinner and silent auction. Its amazing what a little effort brings, I was able to get several items donated for the auction just by sending out a few letters and getting the word out. My volunteer time with the camp is mostly spent taking pictures, making posters, trips to Wal-Mart for supplies, and hosting the weekly parents chats.

My job tonight is to make up a poster with success stories from camp, stories from parents about amazing progress they have seen in their kids over the last 3 weeks. Its SO COOL to see what a difference we can make if we all work together