Summer 2010 Programs
Monday, February 22, 2010 Summer programs for children with disabilities can be very difficult to find in Arkansas. Below are a list of known programs for disabled individuals. Many of the programs fill up fast or have waitlists.
If your local school district provides summer school programs to its students, then it must also provide summer school to disabled children.
I think the list below shows the incredibly limited summer opportunities for most children with autism. The lack of summer programs is a big force behind the demand for medicaid waiver or placement in an institution as desperate families seek respite care. Without recreational programs, disabled children sit at home with a parent or other caretaker all summer.
Arkansas Out of School Network (AOSN) is having a teleconference on providing recreational opportunities to disabled children on March 19th. Please contact Woodie Sue Herlein for more information, WHERLEIN@astate.edu
Little Rock Therapeutic Recreation: SIGNUP BEGINS APRIL 19TH. The City of Little Rock has a small but very inexpensive program for disabled children ages 8-18. Only 17 campers accepted. LINK
Community Connections is offering a one week Camp Connect for children with autism in Conway. The program will teach children appropriate social skills while having fun. Applications are available now.
Easter Seals Arkansas Outreach is looking for children on the autism spectrum to participate in their BASIC training, in collaboration with STAR, its autism education program this summer. Sixteen children in total are needed for the two programs, which will run for 4 weeks, June 14-18, June 21-25, August 2-6 and August 9-13. This is a 4 day a week program that runs from 8:30 to 12:00. The program will operate at the outreach center in West Little Rock. For more information on the program, contact Debbie Ware at 501-221-8414.
Arkansas Support Network is offering 2010 KidsClub, a summer half day program for children with disabilities. For youth ages 10 to 17 in Springdale, Fayetteville, Siloam Springs, and Rogers. For more information call the office at 479-927-4100 or email cprc@supports.org
Camp Aldersgate is offering two six-day programs this summer that would be open to children with autism, the Kota Camp. The camp is open to children 6 to 18 and a friend or sibling. Camp Aldersgate does have a large number of other summer camps for physical disabilities or diseases. APPLICATION HERE
A-Camp has a six-week day camp program at Camp Aldersgate. Applications are first come, first serve. APPLICATION HERE
SPARC in Jonesboro has traditionally offered summer programs for children with autism, such as social skills classes. Please call 870-931-4200 for more information.
Centers for Youth and Family Camp Believe also offers programs for children with autism. Centers also operates afterschool and holiday programs for children. For ages 4 to 12.
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UCA's Ready, Set, Go! Camp is not returning for 2010. A new camp for disabled children may be replacing it. I'll have news on their offering once it's available.
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Russellville: MiChild Enrichment Center is having one-day summer days for disabled children. Click here for more information.
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From Developmental Wings in Eastern Oklahoma:
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to share some information about an excellent opportunity for your family. Camp Many Mountains,a ministry of Faith United Methodist Church in Fort Smith, providies Day Camp and Respite Care to children with disabilities and their siblings. The following gives an overview with contact information at the bottom of the page. My son attended the Day Camp for the last two summers and had a great time. This is really an excellent program!
Respite Nights:
Our next respite night is scheduled for June 19th. There is no respite in July due to Day Camp. All events are held at Faith United Methodist Church, 2901 Massard Road. Reservations by telephone are required by the Monday prior to Respite night. Space is limited to 20 school aged children or CMM Graduates. We will have a waiting list if maximum enrollment is reached. If you are registered and cannot attend, you need to call and cancel so someone else can attend in your place.
In order to attend respite, you must complete a short application form and emergency release for each child. We must have your itinerary for the evening and/or a cell phone to reach you. Plan to arrive between 5:45 and 6:00 to complete the necessary paperwork. The church will be locked from 6:15 to 8:45. You will be expected to pick up your child by 9:00 P. M. Cost is $5.00 per child as well as non-perishable food item(s) for the church food pantry. Canned meats and fruits are always in short supply. Checks must be made out to Faith United Methodist Church with Camp Many Mountains on the memo line.
Day Camp:
Day Camp is scheduled for July 26-30th, from 9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. Registration is $50 for the 1st child, $40 for the 2nd and $30 for each additional child in the family. Day Camp requires a more extensive application. Registration will begin on June 3rd during our annual garage sale fundraiser.
Please call Sandi Anderson at 452-8213 or Linda Harper at 806-7297 to reserve a spot for respite or for more information about our programs.
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More summer camps and recreational programs:
Camp Mitchell: Week-long camps for disabled adults.
Easter Seals Outreach STAR program summer session: Students with autism and Down's enroll for half day camps for two weeks. Students help train teachers in the STAR program. Call the listed numbers to be evaluated for the program in West Little Rock.
EXCEL: Sport programs for disabled children in Cabot.
Geyer Springs First Baptist Church: One week VBS camp for Kindergarten through 5th grade. Call 501-351-2232 for more information.
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Community Connections Supporters,
Here is the flyer and the application form for the RUFL summer football camp. It is going to be Tuesday-Thursday July 6th -8th from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the UCA Pepsi Center in Conway. We’re very excited about this camp and hope you all can participate. You can return the application to me by email or by mailing it to Pediatrics Plus (address below). The deadline for applications is Friday, July 2nd and the cost is $40. If any of you have questions or concerns please email or call me anytime. Please forward this email to anyone you know that may be interested in participating. Thanks again and we hope to see you all out there!
Derek Moser
Community Connections
2740 College Avenue
Conway, AR 72034
Phone: (501) 329-5459
Fax: (501) 327-1738
Cell: (501) 472-9969
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Springdale, August 28th: All Day Painting Workshop for the Disabled. LINK HERE