| |
Retreat 2009 supported by:
Joe's Sports and Outdoor Foundation
The Downtown Eugene Lion's Club
KindTree Supporters like You. |
Camp
/ Retreat 2009
Side show
here
most photos by
Stephen Hansen
August
21-23, 2009
For the first time ever, we are
full before the end of July.
If you wish, you may send in a registration (with deposit) to
be put on a waiting list in case we get cancellations. Final
determination will be August 14.
2009 prices - same as 2008
(Friday 4 - 6pm check-in)
Person with autism
- $100
Family Member/ Caregiver -
$30 (each)
Group Maximum - $190
plus:
shared cabin fee - $10 / per person
no extra fee for tent dwellers
(bring your own or use the Scouts' tents)
|
Register Online with your Credit Card Here
(additional fees apply) CLOSED
2009
Registration form here in PDF
(print this form, fill out, and
mail with your payment) |
The
retreat is designed around the needs of those living with autism.
Parents and caregivers can bring their autistic charges and
relax with them over the weekend, knowing that they are in a
safe and nurturing environment.
The retreat is a time for rejuvenation
and solidarity. Autists are accepted and enjoyed for themselves,
not forced into a procrustean neuro-normal mold.
This
is some of the greatest autistic fun there is.
Boy
Scout Camp Baker, Siltcoos Lake
Registration deadline: forms must be received by August 11.
Call 541 521 7208.
EVENTS:
Swimming
Canoeing
Karaoke by CenterStage Karaoke
Talent Show
Fabric painting and fashion show
Model Railroad books and movies
Arts & Crafts
Participatory Music and Dancing
Movement with Benjamin Luskin
|
JenaGuru Marimba
Non-competitive games
Piñata
Reverse Hide-an'-Seek
Campfires and s’mores
Nature Walks / Hikes
Home Cooked Food
Gluten Free Deserts by Michelle Cheney
Family Networking
Structured Events All Day
Water games and much more...
|
Want
to be part of the fun and Volunteer? Call Michelle
at 541-285-5056
retreat@kindtree.org
[See
our SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM
for information
on how You can help someone enjoy
this special event]
Do you need a scholarship?
KindTree has a good scholarship program this year, thanks
to the Eugene Downtown Lions Club and donors at the "Lunch
with Harvey" fundraiser, and others. Please click
here(PDF), print out the form, fill it in and send
it to us. Application deadline is July 1, 2009 |
Click the image for Directions to Baker Boy Scout Camp. |
From Our Feedback Forms:
How was it at our 12th Autism
Camp/Retreat? Was it fun? Did it go well? Here is what
some of the guests and volunteers had to say:
"I had no idea what to expect from this camp and
it exceeded expectations. This was an amazing experience
and I feel blessed to experience such a beautiful community."
"It is so nice to have a place where all our children
can network that have similar needs and interests. Camping
is a lot of work and this allows us to enjoy being with
our family and not get so stressed out."
"I really enjoyed working here. I learned so much
and had a wonderful time. Thank you for giving me this
opportunity."
"I came here just for a short lifeguard gig, and
found this camp an amazing place to be and work with wonderful
kind people. I would love to come back next year."
|
|
"Gets better every year.
I can't wait to be back!"
"We love that there is no hierarchy / differentiation
between organizers, volunteers and guests. TR
Kelly rocks! This Retreat makes me so happy I could
cry!"
"Thank you for a great weekend - you're doing a
wonderful thing here."
We started a new tradition this year - an opening and
closing circle. People had a chance to see each other
and learn names at the opening, and at the closing folks
spoke about what was their favorite aspect of the Retreat.
Many people spoke about the sense of family - of community
that we felt there. This is what we at KindTree hope for.
We do everything we can to make it possible for people
to feel safe, feel loved, feel at ease. Like we're all
home now. Welcome home. |
*
What a magical weekend. Our son was more engaged with the world
for a longer period of time than ever before, and he's in his
30's!
*My friend with autism engaged in NO sibbing all
day.
* The food was excellent and Cedarhill is such
a very, very great place.
* The presentation was educational and useful
for me as a caregiver.
* All of us, people with autism and caregivers,
really enjoyed getting away from daily routine and being with
people who share our problems. The whole State should be here!
* People benefited because they were surrounded
by love and a lack of anxiety, with an absence of oppressive,
sometimes alienating professionalism - friendship as opposed
to "staffing". Thank you so much!
* We are gathered to be equal. I have a hard time
with labeling. I don't believe in "us" or "them". I believe
in humanity, and here, for one day at least, we really are all
"equal".
Reaction
to Kind Tree's Retreat
I
had many responses from people who attended our Retreat. Some
simply said how beautiful the scenery was. Others commented
about how they were glad to see a schedule of set events and
activities. Yet the most consistent feedback I received was
about the aura. It seems that there was a special sense of peacefulness
around that day.
While at the Retreat,
I watched some amazing things happen. I saw people who usually
have difficulty in crowded places being able to be themselves
in front of large groups of people. I heard many laughs and
screams of joy. Disruptions were nonexistent.
Most of all, this story captures the sense of
the day in the ability of our participants to relax and be themselves:
It was dinnertime and
about 15 of us had gathered around the table. We went around
the table, giving all the chance to comment on the retreat,
the food, anything. When it came to this one young autistic
man, he told the entire group that he had not had any "behaviors"
at his new group home and that he was going to try hard to keep
it that way. The look in his eyes was one of pride, and that
look was shared by all of us standing there that day. There
was a certain sense of knowing - knowing that we all respected
each other, not for anything special we had done, but just because
we are who we are.
Michelle Jones, Kind Tree VP
Nature
walks take you to the lake and beyond, to the ocean. Kind Tree
will have volunteers to help, so even the caregivers get a break
from regular duties (including cooking and cleanup!). Efforts
will be made to assist in finding transportation. We will accept
autistic children (with parent), adolescents and adults, but
space is limited, so please reserve early.
Very
few events like this are available to people with autism and
their loved ones. This is special. This is worth the effort.
You won't be disappointed.
541
521 7208
retreat@kindtree.org
[See
our SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM for
information
on how You can help someone enjoy this
special event]
THANK YOU 2007 TO
A significant donation from FreeLife
International helped pay for staff and new craft supplies.
The Oregon Trail Council of the Boy
Scouts of America gave us a price break on the camp rental.
We received scholarship donations from Monaco
Coach Company, Autism
Society of Oregon, Ruth Madsen Ross, Randy Gerlach, Eugene
Downtown Lions Club, and the
Springfield Rotary. We received in-kind donations from
BiMart,
Market
of Choice – all their stores, Albertsons,
Eugene
Freezing and Storage, Toby's Tofu Palace, Trader
Joe’s, Springfield
Creamery, Emerald
Valley Kitchen, Surata
Soy, Organically Grown Coop, Café
Mam, Lochmead
Dairy, the Bread Stop, Safeway,
Costco,
and Carlos Berrera.
