Volunteers, Sponsors Needed for Special Needs Camp at Sly Park

SCOE Teams Up with Muscular Dystrophy Association to Host August 8 – 13 Camp 

For many children, summer means going away to camp where they can explore the great outdoors and enjoy nature. For children with special needs, summer camp is only a dream. However, fifty children with neuromuscular diseases will experience that dream at Sly Park Conservation and Environmental Education Center.

Each year, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) supports summer camps across the country where children with disabilities attend at no cost to their families. The week of August 8 – 13, 2010, fifty special needs children will attend the Summer Camp for Jerry's Kids at Sly Park. Sly Park is a residential outdoor education program located in the Eldorado National Forest and operated by the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE).

“The summer camp at Sly Park will be an amazing experience, for both the campers and the volunteers,” said Chastity Madison-Richardson, MDA Health Services Coordinator in the Sacramento region. "Our goal is to empower our young campers to get them to see how capable they are of being independent."

Campers, spending time away from their parents, will be teamed with volunteer counselors who are carefully screened and selected in advance to serve as caregivers, helpers and companions. Additional camp volunteers and sponsors are needed. Those interested are asked to contact Chastity Madison-Richardson at (916) 921-9518.

Wednesday, August 11, will be VIP Day, where sponsors and family members can interact with campers and participate in camp activities.

“We are proud to partner with MDA on this summer camp. It will be a great opportunity for children facing daily challenges to be themselves, connect with other children in similar situations, and just have fun,” said Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon.

The Sly Park Conservation and Environmental Education Center is approximately fifty miles east of Sacramento, located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The environmental education center provides programs teaching 5th and 6th grade students about the world in which they live. Students actively engage in field studies, learning about the forest ecosystem and the importance of conservation to our future. Credentialed teachers provide an instructional program to over 8,000 elementary students each year.

Dandelion: Sharing Stories Of Success

Sacramento Parent last year launched a new, specialty publication called Dandelion.

Unlike other parenting publications in the region, this biannual magazine focuses on the stories of families with special needs children.

The magazine has tons of great articles along with a list of resources geared toward families coping with all types of abilities and diagnoses.

We tend to see this publication as an opportunity for parents of these children to not only be better informed, but better connected to their community. It is available - for free! - on newsstands where you find Sacramento Parent.

There is also a Bay Area edition.

Open Eyes, Open Hearts

It seems the story of a Sacramento couple adopting Sofia, a child with Down's Syndrome from Eastern Europe, has opened the eyes and hearts of many.


Corryn and Ellieza are no exception. They followed the journey to bring Sofia home via the family's blog with their mom, a music therapist who works with special needs children.

The girls were beside themselves with excitement when they finally had a chance to meet Sofia in person along with other Down's Syndrome children. They brought Sofia carefully selected gifts, played with her and checked often to make sure she was OK.

Says their mom Bessie, "This has opened their eyes more to children with special needs and also to orphans and their needs as well."

Temple Grandin Biopic Emmy Worthy

A group of Natomas SoNG founding parents gathered in the spring to watch HBO's "Temple Grandin" biopic together - and there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

The writing, acting and filmmaking of this real-life story continues to gain attention from the mainstream with several Emmy award nominations.

From specialchildren.about.com:

The nominations for the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards were revealed this morning, and HBO’s biopic Temple Grandin cleaned up with 15 nominations, including one for Claire Danes’s portrayal of Grandin, two supporting-actress nods for Julia Ormond as Temple’s mother and Catherine O’Hara as Temple’s aunt, supporting-actor recognition for David Strathairn as a sympathetic teacher, and nominations for writing, directing, and best made-for-TV movie.

This film is highly recommended for parents of all children with special needs. Temple Grandin's story is not just about autism, it's about the parents - and others - who support children who are "different, not less."

Knotty Knitters Raise $$$ For Autism

A knitting group out of Tacoma, Wash. has created a not-so naughty, nude calendar to raise money and awareness for autism. The inspiration for this venture? The 7-year-old twin grandchildren of one of the group member who are autistic. To find out more about this warm and fuzzy project, click here.

Dreamnight at the Zoo

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For the 5th year, the Sac Zoo will host Dreamnight - a special evening for children chronic illnesses or disabilities and their families who may often feel isolated to come together and enjoy the Zoo.

Getting Our Feet Wet

The purpose of NATOMAS SoNG is to offer support to all parents and guardians of special needs kids.

To date, our networking in the North Area has benefited from word-of-mouth referrals and social networking on Facebook. 

Special Play Dates

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Fill Out CSS Survey

The Family Health Outcomes Project at the University of California is conducting a survey of the California Children’s Services (CCS) Program, under the Children’s Medical Services Branch.

CCS is a state program for children with certain diseases or health problems. Through this program, children up to 21 years old can get the health care and services they need. CCS will connect you with doctors and trained health care people who know how to care for your child with special health care needs. 

We're On Facebook

We've got lots to share, but in the meantime check out Natomas Song on Facebook by clicking here.

Parent Rights a.k.a. Procedural Safeguards

At the start of every IEP meeting, parents should be handed a copy of the Procedural Safeguards, also known as Parent's Rights.

Natomas SoNG Offers Parent Support

We've been talking about it long enough - we are pleased to announce the launch of a neighborhood support network for parents of children with special needs.