Sailing for kids on the Spectrum
Posted by afghanstephenking@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 10 comments
I was looking for Summer activities and I found a company that has FREE sailing camps for kids on the spectrum.
All Spectrum Sailing programs are offered free of charge thanks to our generous donors, partners, and sponsors. We use a lottery-based application system to ensure fair and equitable access nationwide.
They are not in every state but check out the site! If anyone has taken their kid to one of these please share your experience!
Gilword@reddit
I’ve volunteered for Spectrum Sailing and it’s miraculous. Every kid learns to sail. They make friends and the smiles (on the kids) and joyful tears (on the parents) after the 3 days are incredibly rewarding. Consider supporting them - and ask your clubs to host them for a program - if you can so they can keep it up and expand.
afghanstephenking@reddit (OP)
that's so wonderful. Thank you for sharing!
the-montser@reddit
I know the founder of Spectrum Sailing personally. He’s a great guy.
He started the organization because he has a son on the spectrum and there were no local programs that could accommodate his needs.
Raneynickelfire@reddit
That's a good dad right there.
afghanstephenking@reddit (OP)
That's so beautiful. None of the locations are near me so I can't sign my son up but I love that so much.
the-montser@reddit
He is always open to add new locations if there is support. You should reach out.
afghanstephenking@reddit (OP)
I didn't know that! I will. Thank you.
Raneynickelfire@reddit
I used to work for the EASE program here on Lake Erie.
afghanstephenking@reddit (OP)
that's so amazing! Thank you for clarifying.
Raneynickelfire@reddit
Sure. It was a difficult job for me - somebody with zero education training (I'm a chemist, I have absolutely zero educator training) and I'm not the most personable of people, but I'm glad I did it. It made me more empathetic to other people's problems, and it REALLY made my problems seem insignificant. Some of the kids had cerebral palsy so where completely "there" mentally, just had physical problems. Autism - from mild aspergers type to non-verbal wheelchair autism, all of it.
I grew as a person from the experience.