The Lakeland Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Society will be running its annual summer camp for kids this year throughout July and August.
The camp is specialized for youth who fall into the FASD spectrum and will run camps for ten kids per week with groups divided by age and gender.
“A lot of times this is the only chance care givers get to have a little bit of respite and sometimes the only chance these kids get to go off to camp or get to join into some of these activities,” said camp organizer Madelaine Longworth.
This will be the seventh year for the camp, which will feature activities that are age-group specific.
“Every year we look to see what can be improved upon,” said Longworth. “The kids let us know what they have enjoyed the most, what things they would like to see happen. So with each year we build upon it.”
This year the camp will feature beach visits, base tours, a visit to the fish hatchery, iron chef night, a science night a girl's beauty night and painting on horses, a form of art therapy, said Longworth.
“Each year we try to be a little bit more creative, and individualized to what the kids like,” explained Longworth, who is in her first year organizing the event. “We have kept the very best stuff and added some new things. I'm very excited to see what the kids think of it this year.”
All of the staff working at the camp are trained specifically to work in the area of FASD. Longworth said the staff have been trained in CPR, first aid and in dispensing medicine and overall the event is completely shaped around the kids needs.
“We try to do it so there is socializing but also the activities are there to help the kids grow, they are well supervised and they are having fun. They are learning new skills.
The FASD Society is a non-profit organization, which recently lost a large portion of its funding, explained Longworth. She and the rest of the staff are looking for the community to support the society and help fund the summer camp.
The MD of Bonnyville recently decided to support the FASD Society by donating $500.
“We rely on the community a lot, like any other non-profit organization. We are lucky the (region) is so generous.”
Longworth says this year they are looking for someone to offer up a large van that will allow them to transport the children to and from the camp.
For more information about the FASD Society or helping fund its summer camp contact 780-594-9905.
