Attached is a news release prepared about the ISAAC 2012 AAC Camp.  

 

We have 10 campers already from earlier announcements, and we’re closing registrations when we hit 25 campers.

 

Thanks!

 

Katya

 

Katya Hill, PhD, CCC-SLP

Associate Professor

Communication Science and Disorders

6017 Forbes Tower

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA 15260

T: 412-383-6659

F: 412-383-6555

E: xxxxxx@pitt.edu

 

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ISAAC 2012 NEWS RELEASE

ISAAC 2012 AAC Camp Registration Open!

AAC Campers Explore the Artist Within

By Debbie Witkowski

As ISAAC 2012 approaches, we are excitedly preparing for the affiliated AAC Summer Camp, a weekend “day” camp experience for non-speaking or severely speech impaired children from the ages of 5 -21 who use augmentative communication (AAC) strategies and tools to communicate.  Our campers will have the opportunity to interact with other children using AAC systems while increasing their ability to communicate and enhancing their language and basic literacy skills through a variety of engaging activities.  All activities will be conducted in English although we anticipate having international campers in our mix.  Each camper will be asked to have an accompanying parent to guardian who speaks English in order to maximize his or her participation in our activities. 

The mission of the ISAAC AAC Camp is to help children become more competent users of their AAC system, provide opportunities to develop relationships with other AAC users and provide a fun environment in which campers and families can interact and learn.

This year’s theme, The Artist Within, will provide the framework for all therapeutic activities.  We will begin with a Family Fun Night on Friday, July 27.  Families will gather at the Andy Warhol Museum, where they can take a tour and engage in hands on activities.  Sessions on Saturday and Sunday will be from 8:30 – 4:30 and will include large and small group activities that are designed to increase communicative competence, knowledge of core vocabulary and literacy skills through fun and functional activities.  We plan to have a series of science activities that are sure to get our kids using words such as “wow,” “yuck” and “cool.”  Campers will engage in computer-based activities such as writing a story and generating word-art using words to describe themselves.  Campers will become “Pizza Picassos” as they create their own pizza for lunch on Saturday, using core vocabulary to direct this activity.  A variety of art activities will round out the planned activities.  Camp will wrap up on Sunday afternoon with skits followed by a slide-show featuring all our wonderful campers engaged in camp activities. 

The cost of camp is $350 and will include breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday.  Friday night activities may involve additional costs.  To download an application, please visit www.ISAAC2012.org and click on AAC Camp link on the lower right side of the page.  The application can be found by clicking “here” under the Camper Registration heading.  Once the application has been received, applicants will be notified that they can proceed to registration.  Registration is limited to the first 25 campers.  All campers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

For more information, please contact Debbie Witkowski at xxxxxx@aacinstitute.org.  You can email your completed application to Debbie Witkowski at xxxxxx@aacinstitute.org or mail/fax it to

Debbie Witkowski

ISAAC 2012 AAC Camp

1000 Killarney Drive

Pittsburgh, PA  15234

FAX:  412-885-8548