CAMP HEAR ME 2008
IS COMING SOON
WHEN: October 24, 25, & 26, 2008
WHERE: Camp For All in Burton, Texas
THEME: Transition (Birth - 26)
COST: $150.00 for a family of 4. There will be an additional charge of $25 for any additional camper.
$170.00 Flat fee for Professionals
Please remember that Camp Hear Me is a weekend camp for families who have children with disabilties. Space is limited to 250 attendees (first come first served).
Camp Hear Me is one of the many projects funded by the Hear Me Foundation to serve Parents and Children with Disabilities (including siblings). We welcome visitors and professionals. In fact, we encourage their attendance. Unfortunately, due to space constraints overnight lodging at Camp For All is not available to Professional Attendees. We are happy to provide local accommodations for those who will be travelling to camp who want to experience the unique programming offered at Camp Hear Me. Please know that we encourage professional participation and are happy to assist you in coordinating your stay near Camp should you desire.
All staff and volunteers stay on-site at Camp Hear Me, to meet the individualized needs of our children and their siblings. This is equally important, because it also allows our volunteers and counselors the opportunity to socialize with Parents in a relaxed atmosphere. Feedback to Parents, Counselor and Volunteers is encouraged and important to the overall Camp experience.
If you are interested in participating in Camp Hear Me, please feel free to contact the Hear Me Foundation at (281) 359-6725. Our fax number is: (281) 361-9109.
Please note that the cost of camp covers lodging, camp weekend programming for children, parent training, Exhibitor Resources and other Resources; 3 meals a day; weekend camp t-shirts; camp weekend training and programming; family support services and entertainment.
As a family camper it is important that you be involved in the specially designed programs offered during the weekend. This includes, full completion of all Camp Forms, Surveys and other relevant forms that may apply to an individual family. One of the important factors in parent traing is empowerment and ensuring we are meeting the positive outcomes for children and families. Therefore, it is very important that you particpate in the full camp experience and complete ALL necessary forms before and during Camp.
For those who are interested in Volunteering, we welcome you! You are a key stakeholder. Each year we have dedicated Counselors who travel from around the state of Texas to volunteer their time in working with our children. This is a HUGE responsibility. As always, we are looking for students presently enrolled in a Texas College or University who are actively participating in courses relating to children with disabilities. Examples of such programs are: Teachers (Regular and Special Education); Interpreters; CART/C-Print or Typewell Reporters; Psychologists; Audiologists; Speech and Language Pathologist; Occupational Therapy; Integration Therapy; Sensory Integration; etc.....
It is Hear Me's philosophy by training both family and professionals side-by-side, it is a training experience for all who participate in Camp Hear Me. Hear Me offers Counselors and Volunteers a bird's eye view of what it is truly like to raise a child with a disability from the families perspective. This is why sibling participation is important, because siblings often times have emotions not easily expressed in the day-to-day activities of a family who have a child with a disability. This is a grueling opportunity and your feedback is important to not just the Hear Me Foundation, but the families we serve and the service providers that many of us presently work with day-to-day. You are our future service providers and you will gain first hand knowledge and experience, not captured in a lecture hall or textbook. Counselor are assigned to cabins with children (14 per cabin) based on age and sex. We do NOT discriminate from one disability or another. Counselors are responsible for their group of children from morning until night. Each Counselor is supported by other Counselors assigned to the same cabin. You will attend meal time with your children, programming throughout the day, evening activities, and experience both the morning and evening bed time rituals experienced by families.
Cabin Assignments after registration has closed, is an important task where thoughtful placement is reviewed by our Volunteers. If you have a particular age group or disability you prefer to work with it is important that you indicate accordingly upon completing your applications.
Parents of small children are also encouraged to attend camp. Early intervention is key and we are prepared to serve the full range of children from birth to age 26.
Prior to camp, Volunteers and Counselors must complete a detailed application, health consent form and participate in all surveys endorsed by the Foundtation at Camp Hear Me. Your feedback and experience are important to us.
Hear Me will be offering Counselor and Volunteer Training prior to Camp. For those who may be interested in involving your College or University, please do not hesitate to contact the Hear Me Foundation.
Note: If you know of a particular family who could benefit from Camp Hear Me, please encourage their participation. We are particularly concerned about our military families, demographic and socio economic concerns of famillies who are isolated from other training programs for children and families. Our goals is to help those most in need.
Requirements for Camp Hear Me Participation:
1. Motivation and Empowerment
2. Register as a Hear Me Family or Professional Participant
3. Participate in all Camp Hear Me Programs and follow-up with the Hear Me Foundation as may be necessary
4. Self Motivation and Self Advocacy
5. Complete all necessary forms that must be completed and returned to Hear Me prior to Camp.
6. Register on time.
We understand the high demands placed on families who have children with disabilities. However, it is important to arrive to Camp on time, in order to not disrupt programming and other participants, volunteers and counselors who have registered to attend Camp Hear Me. In the past, we have had families arrive to camp after hours, sometimes as late as 11:00 p.m and 12:00 a.m. This is difficult on your entire family and those who are already in bed. It is also disruptive to our Counselors and Volunteers who will be working around the clock during the weekend. In order for families and other participants to meaningfully participate in camp, it is important that you are an active participant from the time that you register, become acquainted with our staff and volunteers, tour the camp facilties and ask questions to ensure your full involvement in the Camp Experience.
7. Cancellations. Please contact us as soon as possible if you have registered for Camp and you are unable to attend camp. There will be a $50 cancellation fee for those who contact us in advance of camp who for whatever reason will not be able to attend camp. If we do not hear from you 24 hours prior to camp, you will not be refunded your registration fee.
Enforcement of a cancellation fee has become necessary due to the quantity and qualify of work that goes into preparing for camp. Space is limited and often times, when families simply do not show for camp, you have effectively prevented another family from enjoying Camp Hear Me. Camp Enrollment is in high demand and we want to serve as many families as possible. It is through your participation and your involvement in Camp Hear Me that will allow Hear Me the opportunity to seek additional funding in the future to sponsor other extracurricular events for parents and children with disabilities. We are looking to monitor, measure and ensure positive outcomes for parents and children with disabilities.
We do not intend to be "rigid" but want you to meaningfully participate and enjoy this unique opportunity for your entire family. We assure you, you will not be disappointed.
Please visit our web site for additional details, registration forms and other relevant information as we begin to prepare for Camp Hear Me.