SEPAC General Meeting Minutes

March 1, 2009  Topic:  Camp Fair for Kids with Special Needs

SEPACS does not sponsor or endorse the organizations listed below.  We are providing this information as a service to our families.  All families should conduct their own due diligence to determine if an organization is right for their child or family.

The information below is taken from the brochures and flyers provided by the groups themselves.  They are listed in no particular order.  Please contact the organizations directly for more information about them.

KEEN:  Kids Enjoy Exercise Now

P.O. Box 45186

Phoenix, AZ  85064

602-508-3939

Website:  www.keenphoenix.org

Email:  info@keenphoenix.org

KEEN provides free recreational and sports programs for children and young adults with more profound and severe mental and physical disabilities.

KEEN serves individuals with such diverse disabilities as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and various developmental and intellectual disabilities.  Because KEEN’s activities are noncompetitive and inclusive, we offer opportunities for athletes who have not been able to access or find happiness in other programs.

Lions Camp Tatiyee

P.O. Box 6910

Mesa, AZ  85216

480-380-4254

Website:  www.ArizonaLionsCamp.org

Email:  ArizonaLionsCamp@cox.net

The mission of Lions Camp Tatiyee is to provide a camping experience for challenged individuals among their peers that encourages independence and self confidence.

Camper age range is 7 years and up.  Our sessions are divided by age, with special sessions for physically challenged, mentally challenged, deaf and blind.  Disabilities have included but are not limited to spinal injury, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, amputees, deafness, blindness, and mildly mentally challenged.

Joni and Friends Family Retreats

Disability Empowerment Center

5025 E. Washington Street, Suite 106

Phoenix, AZ  85034

602-275-2568

Website:  www.joniandfriends.org

Email:  dcarr@joniandfriends.org  (Delinda Carr, Program Manager)

For families who shoulder the daily pressures of disability, Family Retreat is a jam-packed, joyous combination of incredible, fully accessible activities and accommodations, warm and wonderful friendships, empowering truth from the Word of God, heart-to-heart sharing, hilarious adventures, and the life-changing knowledge that in our Father’s arms is all the strength needed for the journey.  Everything under the Son is provided for the comfort and care of families affected by disability.

Grand Canyon State Fencing Foundation

480-288-7834, 480-227-6443

Website:  www.gcsff.org

Email:  info@gcsff.org

The Grand Canyon Fencing Foundation is bringing seated fencing to the valley.  Men, women, and children of all ages are welcome.  If you would like to play, compete, or redefine yourself as an athlete, not is your time to take advantage of this excellent opportunity.  Be a part of an exceptional team and a great community.

Baio Enterprises, Inc., Developmental Therapies

1745 S. Alma School Road, Suite 145

Mesa, AZ  85210

480-963-3634

Website:  www.baioenterprises.com

Baio Enterprises, Inc. is dedicated to providing Speech, Occupational, and Physical therapies, as well as Social Interaction Groups.  We respect the individuals and families that we provide service to.  Parents and care givers are a vital part of our therapy team.  We feel it is critical to provide ongoing support groups where parents can share their joys, sorrows, concerns and triumphs.

Baio Enterprises has a 6 week summer camp for 4 years to 9 years old.

Scottsdale Unified School District Special Needs Summer Camp

Scott Karcz, Head Teacher

skarcz@susd.org

Cell:  480-250-5561

Veronica Leiper, Camp Director

vleiper@susd.org

Cell:  480-600-0026

Contact them for a registration packet and get details about the camp dates and locations.

Scottsdale Bible Church

Website:  www.scottsdalebible.com

Steve:  480-824-7268, email slee@sbcaz.org

Special Ministries provides church services for children and adults with special needs.  They also have parent network groups, such as:

Autism Family Network

Dads 4 Special Kids

Mom 4 Special Kids

Civitan Foundation

3509 E. Shea Blvd, Suite #117

Phoenix, AZ  85028

602-953-2944

Website:  www.campcivitan.org

Civitan’s longest running and most beloved program offers week-long camp sessions throughout the summer, and weekend adventures one a month the balance of the year.  Camp Civitan is a 15-acre wheelchair accessible facility for developmentally disabled children and adults located in the cool pine country of Northern Arizona, in the town of Williams. This program offers campers a variety of enriching and fun experiences that promote positive self-esteem, teamwork, socialization, and healthy activities.

Arizona Autism United

Robert Ni, Community Representative

5025 E. Washington Street, #212

Phoenix, AZ  85034

602-773-5773

Website:  www.AZAunited.org

Email:  Robert@AZAunited.org

ASU Summer Program for Early Literacy and Language

ASU, Tempe Campus, Coor Building

ASU, West Campus, Calssroom Annex

480-965-2373

SPELL is a research and educational program designed to boost the oral language and early literacy of 4 and 5 year olds through fun and interesting teaching activities.  Classes are taught by certified teachers or speech-language pathologists and graduate students from the Department of Speech and Hearing Science at ASU.

SEEK-Specializing in the Education of Exceptional Kids

1830 S. Alma School Road, Suite 130

Mesa, AZ  85210

480-902-0771

Website:  www.SEEKArizona.com

Email:  info@SEEKArizona.org

SEEK is committed to providing superior therapies and direct care services to children with developmental disabilities, specializing in children with Autistic Spectrum Order (ASD).  Through developmentally appropriate interventions, tailored to the strengths and needs of each child, child-specific provider training, and a dedication to providing family support and resources; we will help each child reach their full potential in both their family and community.

Camp Runamuk-SEEK Arizona’s Family Camp

October 9-12, 2009, Prescott, AZ

Join us this Fall 2009 in beautiful Prescott, Arizona.  Families will get the total camp experience from bunk beds to campfires, for 4 days and 3 nights while they participate in family and individual activities, all geared for campers with special needs, their siblings, and parents.

Contact SEEK as listed above for additional information.

The Arizona Magic of Music and Dance

602-653-8702

Website:  www.azmagic.org

The Arizona Magic of Music and Dance Camp is a program for children and young adults with physical or mental disabilities that prepares them to stage a wonderful theater production that is written and choreographed especially for them.

Lindamood-Bell Learning Centers

480-922-5675

Website:  www.LindamoodBell.com

Email:  lblpscottsdale@lblp.com

Be our guest and learn about our researched-based programs for reading, comprehension, and math.  We will have presentations, refreshments, activities for children, and a chance to observe students in session. Call or email to reserve your space.

Thursday, March 26.  Presentation times:  10 a.m. and 6L30 p.m.

10617 N. Hayden Road, Building B, Suite 101

Scottsdale, AZ  85260

Arizona Camp Sunrise and Sunrise Sidekicks

American Cancer Society

1-800-ACS-2345

Website:  www.cancer.org

Arizona Camp Sunrise is the first one-week residential overnight camp in Arizona for children with cancer.  It is designed for children from ages 8 to 16, who have, or have had cancer.  Along with canoeing, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, archery, and swimming, campers might choose to build a birdhouse, participate in science experiments, learn to cook, or even write a newsletter.

Sunrise Sidekicks is the only camp for siblings in the state of Arizona.  In a camp environment, Sunrise Sidekicks gives brothers and sisters of cancer patients a chance to share friendship and laughter with others who are living with similar cancer-related experiences.

Camp AZDA-American Diabetes Association

Sarah Watson

602-861-4731 x7094

Website:  diabetes.org/adacampazda

Email:  swatson@diabetes.org

Camp AZDA, a program of the American Diabetes Association, is help in the beautiful Friendly Pines Camp Facility, located in the tall pines of Bradshaw Mountains.  As any camping experience, our camp will provided fun and adventure, companionship and opportunity to make new friends with diabetes and learn new skills in outdoor living.  The aim of Camp AZDA is to provide the children a memorable recreational and educational experience.  Age range is 8-16 years.

Scottsdale Parks and Recreation

7340 Scottsdale Mall

Scottsdale, AZ  85251

480-312-7957

Website:  www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov

Adapted Recreation Services:  480-312-2218

Many programs are available.  Contact them for a list of programs, locations, dates, and times.

Spectrum College Transition Program, Gateway Academy

7655 E. Gelding Drive, Suite A-3

Scottsdale, AZ  85260

480-443-7331

Website:  www.gatewayacademy.us

Spectrum 101, a residential summer program, is made up of two-4 week sessions, focusing on helping students learn how to prepare for their entry into college life.  Students must have an average to above verbal IQ.  Students face challenges in the areas of:  social integration, emotional control, communicative and social language development.

Camp Wamatochick, Arthritis Foundation

Camp Cruz

1313 E. Osborn Road, Suite 200

Phoenix, AZ  85014

Taryn Norley  602-212-9912

Email:  tnorley@arthrtis.org

Camp Fire USA

2345 East Thomas Road, Suite 400,  Phoenix, AZ  85016

602-954-7544

Website:  www.campfireaz.org

campwamatochick@campfireaz.org

Camp Wamatochick is located on 80 acres in the Prescott National Forest, just outside of Prescott, Arizona.  It focuses on a smaller samper community to create an unparalleled camping experience.  The program is designed to build caring, confident youth, and future leaders, along with having a lot of fun.

SARRC-Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center

300 N. 18^th Street

Phoenix, AZ  85006

602-340-8717

Website:  autismcenter.org

Email:  sarrc@autismcenter.org

SARRC’s Teen Camp at Whispering Hope Ranch

HC2, Box 162-V

Payson, AZ  85541

602-218-8173

Overnight teen camp for individuals with autism disorders (ASDs) and typical peers.  The ranch also serves as a home for animals born with physical differences or rescued from difficult circumstances.  Their interaction with special needs guests is nurturing and calming, and promotes well-being.

Dads 4 Special Kids

Scottsdale Bible Church (Room 102)

7601 E. Shea Blvd.

Scottsdale, AZ  85260

Website:  www.dads4specialkids.org

Mailing Address:  P.O. box 73182

Phoenix,, AZ  85050

602-909-5463

Dads 4 Special Kids is committed to men and their families who have a child with special health-care needs.  Established by fathers looking for peer support, we dedicate our time, talents, and resources to better the quality of life for other men through their unique journey of raising their child.

To accomplish this we host monthly meetings, offer workshops that provide knowledge and practical skills for cultivating healthy communication within the marriage and family, and provide information on resources within the valley of the sun.

Empowering our Children

Rhonda Cerny

913-485-8513

Eamil:  rpcerny@aol.com

Website:  www.empoweringourchildren.com

Empowering Our Children is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 educational foundation and radio program established to focus on the guidance of children and adolescents with physical, neurological, behavioral, and social issues.  National mental health experts provide education, guidance, and resources on topics such as:  anxiety, asperger syndrome, autism, adhd, bipolar disorder, bullying, depression, discipline, eating disorders, learning problems, nutrition, ocd, self-esteem, substance abuse, and tourettes.

Camp Not-A-Wheeze

American Lung Association of Arizona

102 W. McDowell Road

Phoenix, AZ  85003

602-258-7505, 1-800-586-4872

Arizona’s summer camp for children with asthma.  Exploring the great outdoors has never been easier with asthma.  At camp Not-A-Wheeze, 7-14 year old with moderate to severe asthma experience the same exciting activities found in a typical summer camp, but at a pace geared to their needs.  Volunteer medical professionals team up in cabins with 6-8 children.  They provide around-the-clock supervision for the campers during all activities and cabin time.

Reading Clinic Summer Program

1860 E. Warner Rd., Suite 101

Tempe, AZ  85284

480-456-0500

Website:  www.azreadingclinic.com

If your child doesn’t respond to reading programs at school, the Reading Clinic’s scientifically proven approach may be exactly what he or she needs.  The Reading Clinic’s valuable menu of services includes:  testing to diagnose reading problems, treatment of dyslexia and reading difficulties caused by attention deficit, AIMS test preparation, spelling programs, and writing instruction using highly effective Step-Up-to-Writing program based on the State’s six traits.

LEAP-Language Enrichment & Acquistion Program

8422 E. Shea Blvd, #103

Scottsdale, AZ  85260

480-636-1920

Email:  kari@listening-ears.com

The LEAP is a language program for children ages 3-6 years of age.  Speech-language pathologists develop programs and activities which integrate speech and language intervention with play and everyday activities.  LEP is for both typically developing children and children with speech and language impairments.

Updated: 10/24/09: 

The new reach info for LEAP is:

Lynn Carahaly, MA,CCC-SLP

Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist

Owner and Director of Foundations Developmental House, LLC. (FDH)

Phone: 480-219-3953

Fax: 480-219-4203

lynn@fdhkids.com

http://www.fdhkids.com

Foundations Developmental House, LLC is a Speech-Language Pathology Clinic and Learning Center for children birth through 18 years of age. Our Speech-Language Pathologists develop an individualized plan of care, tailored to each child’s speech therapy needs.

ASAP-Autistic Spectrum Addressing Pragmatics

8422 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 103

Scottsdale, AZ  85260

480-636-1920

Email:  kari@listening-ears.com

ASAP is an intensive summer program that addresses pragmatic language for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, and PDD between the ages of 3-8.  Each child’s needs are unique, therefore, delayed pragmatic skills need to be individually assessed and addressed.  The program is designed and run by Certified Speech-Language Pathologists and other specialists who tailor each child’s program to meet his/her unique needs.  ASAP is run in tandem with our LEAP program to ensure that opportunities to interact with typically developing children as peer models are created.

Updated: 10/24/09: 

The new reach info for this ASAPis:

Lynn Carahaly, MA,CCC-SLP

Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist

Owner and Director of Foundations Developmental House, LLC. (FDH)

Phone: 480-219-3953

Fax: 480-219-4203

lynn@fdhkids.com

http://www.fdhkids.com

Foundations Developmental House, LLC is a Speech-Language Pathology Clinic and Learning Center for children birth through 18 years of age. Our Speech-Language Pathologists develop an individualized plan of care, tailored to each child’s speech therapy needs.

Attention and Learning: Ask the Experts! TM
Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 7PM

Shabana Jessani, MD

ADHD: Diagnosis and Management with
  Multi-Dimensional Approaches to Treatment

Meet with Melmed Center experts in a relaxed, comfortable setting to learn about strategies that work for children with attention and learning challenges.

• Welcome parents, grandparents and educators
• Fourth Thursday of every month from 7:00-8:00 PM
• Facilitated by the professional staff at the center
• No charge
• Please remember to register early, space is limited!

Melmed Center
5020 E. Shea Blvd., Ste. 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
(480) 443-0050
www.melmedcenter.com

Children and Adults with Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) Meeting

With the new year, we will begin our new day, time and location for our support group meetings. We will be meeting at Robb and Stucky in the Community Room from 6-8 p.m. on the third Tuesday (the 15th) of the month. The Robb and Stucky store is located in Kierland on Scottsdale Road just south of Bell Road. The address is 15440 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. The phone number is (480) 922-0011.

For those of you who attended our last meeting, thank you! It was great seeing some of our long-time friends as well as many new faces. I think it was unanimous that our new meeting space is terrific! Thanks to Robb and Stucky for providing a lovely room for us to meet in and refreshments!

I am pleased to announce that Christopher Nicholls will be speaking at our January meeting. Dr. Nicholls is a neuropsychologist here in the Valley and will be speaking on evaluations. He will talk about the importance of obtaining a thorough evaluation, how to obtain the necessary pieces, what should be included and how to use the information gathered for the benefit of your child/spouse/self. Dr. Nicholls is very knowledgeable about AD/HD and CHADD and worked closely with Dr. Clare Jones, for whom our group is named. I know that you will find the information he has to share with us to be very valuable.

I hope that you will be able to join us. You will leave feeling empowered. I assure you!

As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Erica S. Schwartz, LCSW
Support Group Facilitator
CHADD Valley of the Sun in honor of Dr. Clare B. Jones
c. 480-209-9233

chaddvos@schwartzplace.com

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/CHADD_VOS/?yguid=309520585

www.chadd.org

ADD Resources, the first choice for quality ADHD information

Founded in 1993, Attention Deficit Disorder Resources (ADD Resources) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization run mostly by adult volunteers with ADHD. We are dedicated to supporting, educating and serving as a resource for people with ADHD.

The mission of Attention Deficit Disorder Resources is to help people with ADHD achieve their full potential through education, support and networking opportunities.

Attention Deficit Disorder Resources maintains an educational website, a bookstore, and a lending library with over 450 titles of ADHD books, audiotapes and videos.

We’ve added a link to this site from our SEPACS web resources pages, too.