History
In
the fall and winter of 2000, Deborah Lamden, the mother of a teen with
cerebral palsy, started a two-week summer ‘pilot program’ called Partners
In Adventure (PIA). Over 20 community organizations were invited to
collaborate in the development of Partners In Adventure camp. Twelve organizations have continued this collaboration.
PIA
was
created in response to stated concerns heard through interviews with families
and professionals over a six-year period about the lack of joint summertime
social and recreational experiences for teens with and without disabilities
throughout northern Vermont. Parents and professionals saw a need for a
camp-style program specifically designed to give non-disabled and
disabled young people access to summertime activities in a completely inclusive
setting. Children with disabilities become increasingly isolated as they enter
their teens, a time when athletic and verbal skills become more essential to
building relationships with peers.
PIA is
the only summer program in Vermont providing fully accessible, adaptive,
inclusive and totally non-competitive programming for young people with a full
range of physical and developmental abilities.
Offering full inclusion by partnering young people with and without
disabilities, has grown into an 8-week camp.
Mission
|
The
mission of PIA is to provide a
fully inclusive and accessible social and recreational experience. The
camp is designed to honor diversity by partnering young people 12 to 22, with and without disabilities, to build partnerships in which each
person has the chance to safely explore, lend a helping hand and learn
more about the world.
|
Partners
In Adventure is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.
Programming
Our campers reflect the full range of abilities. So we
program adaptive activities that insure access and enjoyment for each and
every one. PIA staff and visiting instructors strive to provide camp
experiences geared to every campers abilities. All of our workshops are led by
skilled instructors with a proven sensitivity to wide-ranging learning styles.
Equipment and teaching techniques are chosen and even modified on site to
ensure the success of each camper.
PIA Advisory Board
All camp programming is inclusive, non competitive and
adapted to allow each and every camper full access to all the activities and
workshops.
PIA
has become accepted as a location for campers with special needs on IEPs to
receive their summer services. In 2005, we formed a
team of professionals, including parents of teens with disabilities, a special
education paraprofessional, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist
and a speech pathologist to help design programming that enhances appropriate
skill building through camp activities. By addressing the Vermont
Standards in Education, we now offer a guide to help parents and
professionals understand how PIA
can serve their camper’s special educational needs and IEP goals.
Community
Partners
Vermont
Adaptive Ski and Sports,
Shelburne
Farms
Burlington Parks and Recreation
Department
Colchester Recreation
Department
Lake
Champlain Community Sailing Center
South Burlington Recreation
Department
Essex Junction Recreation
Department
Essex Recreation
Department
Racquet’s Edge Health and Fitness
Center
Parent to Parent of
Vermont
City
Market
BPOE
916 Elks and Eldoes Club
Partners In Adventure
Staff
Deborah Lamden,
Executive Director,
Sue Minter, Administrative
Assistant
Board of Directors
Deborah Lamden
Founding Director, PIA
President
Liz Robitaille
Vice-President
Cathy Bergeron
Co-Secretary
George Tyler
Co-Secretary
Carla Mazza
Treasurer
Michael Gannon
Kathleen Boyce
Ann Schmidt
Contact
Information
Telephone
(802) 425-2638
FAX
(802) 425-2638 (call in advance)
Mailing
Address PO Box 867, Shelburne, VT 05482
Deborah
Lamden, Executive Director
E-mail
dlamden@gmavt.net
