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Time For Us Summer Youth Camp One of the most rewarding programs we have is spending time with the youth of our families. As persons with "young onset" of cognitive challenges, we see how the dynamics of the family change. Youth left waiting for the ride home – forgotten for the moment by their mother; meals not quite fully prepared or left to the youth to seek out - as cooking becomes harder and harder and more frustrating; youth becoming navigators in the car well before they are ready for their drivers license – as their loved one forgets the route; loss of the companionship of a grandmother or grandfather – as their young faces are not recognized; a mother unable to respond to her youth's questions – as she is disabled by the pain of constant migraines. The need for understanding the how, what, and why of cognitive challenges is so strong in our youth – a generation most often forgotten. This is the philosophy behind Time For Us camp for youth with a loved on with cognitive challenges. We are able to bring an understanding to a world that is quickly changing, reduce their fears, bring hope, and a path for wellness starting now as a youth – perhaps a prevention. We learn so much from each other, youth to youth and youth to person with cognitive challenges. The curriculum is developed as a partnership with youth and adult. One of the first questions asked was "We hear the words 'early onset', what do they mean and how young is early onset? Can it be 16?" Wow, fears find the words… we reply that no, generally not 16, although one can develop cognitive challenges from an accident – so be sure to wear your helmets! Another question is what should you do when a loved one repeatedly asks the same question over and over. One youth suggests just answer it again. But a girl who's father repeats over and over says she goes outside where she can scream, feeling better, she is able to come back and spend time once again. The A Keeper of Memories programming is an activity driven program. We built Inukshuk to show how memories are stored in most unique ways. By using photography the youth find how we are able to recognize a person or object from its smallest pieces noting we are still here. And onto stress reduction, good foods – often new foods, nature and its healing forces, the strength music of music in building and drumming, conservation and giving back to the community. So many concepts… helping our youth. The beginning of camp we see the sadness in their eyes. The hesitation "why am I here"? Not far into the week, they are taking over the camp – a great burden has been lifted. These are our youth. We need to give them every opportunity for wellness, hope, prevention.
Time for Us:Summer camp for teensJuly 29 – August 3, 2012
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