Jake and the Eyeball

Programs
Camp Lotsafun provides recreational, therapeutic, and educational opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities, while providing respite care for their families. Children, teens, and adults with disabilities are often excluded from social interactions and free play with peers due to their inability to verbally express themselves, short attention span, and lack of interaction with others. This often leads to social isolation and decreased physical activity. Camp Lotsafun provides respite care for the family, while providing recreational, therapeutic, and educational opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

60% of Camp Lotsafun participants have Autism; the other 40% consists of children with Down Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Bi-Polar Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, and many other disabilities. In addition, many of the participants have a secondary diagnosis such as: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Sensory Integration Disorder, and/or Post Traumatic Distress Syndrome. These disorders may negatively affect their ability to control impulses, interact and communicate appropriately with peers, identify social cues, and maintain personal care and hygiene.

Families with children, teens, and adults with disabilities are in desperate need of respite services to provide relief for the families and caregivers and to provide age appropriate recreational and social opportunities for the participants. Due to the additional requirements of a child with a disability, families identify respite care as a basic need. Parents of a child with a disability experience amplified levels of stress due to the increased demands a child with a disability places on the family. Siblings of a family member with a disability experience stress and often receive less attention due to the additional needs of their sibling.

During the past 5 years Camp Lotsafun has experienced rapid growth; increasing its participants from 184 participants per year to our current rate of more than 500 participants. Our rapid growth in services demands an increase in seasonal staff and an increase in operating funds to provide quality programming for our participants.

Respite care is short-term temporary care provided to individuals with disabilities to allow their families to take a break from the daily routine of care giving. Respite care can help prevent abuse and neglect while supporting the family by providing an opportunity to rest, relax, and regenerate to face the daily challenges of caring for their child. Local families with children, teens, and adults with disabilities are in desperate need of respite services to provide relief for the families and to provide age appropriate opportunities their child.

Unique Characteristics of Camp Lotsafun

Only Northern Nevada organization providing overnight respite services.
Specialize in serving individuals with Autism.
Provide year round services—Summer and Winter Camps.
Provide one to one supervision for participants with intensive needs.
Provide scholarships to participants with limited financial resources.

Camp Schedule and Fees
The 2008 Camp Schedule consists of 8 weeks Therapeutic Respite Camp. Fees are $624 for a 5 day session. Please call 775-827-3866 for more information.

Our curriculum is based on therapeutic benefits and focuses on social skills, including: independence, self esteem, leisure education, taking turns, sharing materials, staying on task, encouraging others, patience, following directions, and effective communication.

Children, teens, and adults with disabilities require consistent positive reinforcement to develop the social skills needed to effectively integrate into their peer group. Without an opportunity to practice their skills in a supportive environment, these individuals are often excluded from social and recreational activities.

Activities
Camp Lotsafun directly impacts the issues faced by families with disabilities by establishing programs to provide quality, reliable and affordable respite care that supports the entire family. Our curriculum is based on therapeutic benefits and focus on improving physical health, self esteem, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, cooperation, safety skills, self expression, and sensory integration.

Activities include: Swimming, kayaking, archery, hiking, teamwork, pet therapy, outdoor games, drama, music, ropes challenge course, arts & crafts, campfire, and guest speakers. Additional activities are scheduled at each session, and vary depending on availability, including: AT&T Hot Air Balloon, Care Flight, and the Tahoe Douglas Fire Department.

Campers
This year more than 300 campers will attend Camp Lotsafun. Our services provide respite care for local families while providing therapeutic benefits for their children. Camp sessions are provided for children and teens ages 7-17 and Adults over the age of 18.

Staff and Volunteers
Families with a child with a disability are understandably reluctant to allow others to care for their child, teen or adult with special needs. Due to the concern surrounding their specialized needs, our staff and volunteers participate in an intensive, mandatory week long camp training. Including but not limited to: first aid, CPR, disability awareness, child development, and behavior management, personal care, camp policy and procedures, and counselor responsibility.

Our staff consists of students from universities, colleges, and high schools who are pursuing a career in a field of study that will support individuals with disabilities. In addition, we actively recruit individuals who show and interest, motivation, and dedication to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities.

Camp Lotsafun staff and volunteers must be 18 years of age and are provided with extensive training in personal care, counselor responsibilities, disability awareness, behavior management, play therapy, sensory integration, anger management, positive reinforcement, first aide, and CPR.