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Family Life > Summer of
HOPE
Summer of H.O.P.E. 2nd Annual Autism Camp
by E. P. Wilson
Summer time and the livin’ is easy. School is out, weather is warm and children
everywhere are starting their summer camp adventures. There are camps to suit
almost every type of fancy. (You’ll find a fantastic list within the Camp
Directory of this issue of Families on-the-go.) Yet, there is one group of
children whose choices are extremely limited. They need special camp leaders who
are trained to communicate with them and who know how to interpret their sensory
needs and special interests. These are children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum
Disorder and they now have a camp made especially for them.
Summer of H.O.P.E. 2nd Annual Autism Summer Camp was created to bring fun
summertime experiences to children with autism, while continuing to strengthen
academic, social and independent skills through the long summer months that
school is not offered.
“H.O.P.E., Helping Our Precious Excel, is an organization birthed out of the
hearts of families and friends here at Highest Praise Family Church ”, explains
Joy Dolan, a co-creator for the camp and Creative Director of H.O.P.E. Autism
Programs. “We wanted our camp to be a time of learning AND fun!”
Opportunities for children with ASD and their families to participate in
community happenings can be very limited, leaving families feeling isolated.
Highest Praise Family Church heard their cry and gallantly stepped up to the
plate. First, answering the need of families within their congregation, Pastors
Ken and Susan Pippin opened their hearts to starting a full ministry to service
more families in the community touched by autism. There is a Sunday school
program that runs during service so that parents can attend church, knowing
their child or children will be well cared for by certified exceptional student
education teachers and taught a meaningful bible lesson. There are evenings for
Parent’s Night Out, to keep the moms and dads united. There are two summer camp
sessions and a training program to help other churches begin their own autism
operations in their communities to reach even more families.
Camp routine begins each day as the group is welcomed by the camp leaders,
certified exceptional student education teachers and aides. Morning activities
will support academics as fun mingles in with music, art, crafts, relays,
bouncing houses, and special visits from the community. Safari of Smiles
dentistry will come to give a puppet show on the importance of brushing, while
painters, musicians and dance teachers will share their crafts. Each week,
H.O.P.E. campers will visit the Aquatic Center in New Port Richey for swimming
and water safety. There will also be weekly fieldtrips ranging from museums,
zoo, bowling, horse farm and petting zoo, and more. If you would like more
information about the camp or how you can contribute your time or gifts, please
call Tom or Joy Scheu at 727-251-9946.
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