age and the nscd, chapter 2

I wrote awhile back that the minimum age for participation at the NSCD activities is 5 years old. We were surprised to find out this month that this has now changed to 6 years old. We weren't notified of the change, and unfortunately, one family had to cancel their trip plans because of the new age minimum. We will try to check on age requirements for all the activities from now on, so that this doesn't happen again.

Colorado fun

Today our second group of rafters sets out for their overnight trip. The first group went last week, for the one day trip. Sounds like everyone had a great time, and took advantage of all the fun, family things Colorado has to offer while they were there. We heard about adapted hiking/wheelchair trails in Rocky Mountain National Park, adapted fishing trips, as well as all the activities at the base of the Winter Park resort. The alpine slide continues to be a favorite. Once again, all reports were that the staff at the National Sports Center for the Disabled are an awesome group to do things with. Thanks NSCD!

Wow, where has the summer gone? Since I last wrote, we have had a great bike camp, been to a baseball game, bowling and on one of the 2 raft trips! We had 9 campers at bike camp this year, and ALL of them learned to ride their bikes. It was a fun and busy 2 weeks. We had many more people asking about camp than we had room for, prompting us to think maybe we need 2 camps/summer. The issues with that are staffing and space for the camp. But, we are working with the Down Syndrome Association for Families about the possibility of an additional camp with more space and staff. Stay tuned for details!

Jen Meints was the Dreams Unlimited representative for the one day rafting trip lasts Friday. Her family also took a vacation in Colorado afterwards. When she gets back I'll write some about that trip, and also about the over night trip, which is this week. Larry Svec is our board member attending that one.

We were sad to say good bye this month to Amie Hanson, Dreams Unlimited board member and physical therapist. Amie was very involved in all of our activities and we will miss her. She has moved to Des Moines, where most of her family is, in order to be closer to them. We wish her well.
Amie leaving has left an opening on our board. If you are interested in what that might entail, please give me a call and I call tell you what we are looking for.

Finally, I want to acknowledge our great photographer for our recent Dreams Unlimited events, Nick Boney. If anyone is ever interested in contacting him to take some photos, let me know and I will tell you how to get in touch with him.