Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund
http://www.aspsf.org/
Single Parent Scholarships (SPSF) are given to low-income single parents who are pursuing post-secondary education in preparation for skilled employment. Scholarship Funds are administered by affiliate organizations and volunteers in each county of Arkansas. Eligibility criteria and application requirements vary by county. To apply for a scholarship or to get involved, contact the affiliate SPSF serving the county you live in.
Camp Aldergate
http://www.campaldersgate.net/
Camp Aldersgate creates life-changing experiences for individuals with special needs, enabling them to expand their worlds and express their unique voices. Camp Aldersgate is an active champion for youth and adults with special needs. We maintain a high standard of excellence in all aspects of our programming, service, environment and operations. Our work is guided by the needs and potential of each person.
We offer camping experiences for people who have conditions such as cancer, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, epilepsy, kidney disorders, autism, Down syndrome, and intellectual disabilities. Hundreds of campers come each year from across Arkansas and from surrounding states to enjoy an experience of a lifetime.
Camp Aldersgate’s summer camps serve children with medical, physical, and developmental challenges. The camps offer most traditional summer camp activities such as campfires and singing, canoeing, fishing, arts and crafts, swimming, and nature hikes. Like all kids, the campers want to try new and exciting things. With this in mind, activities have been developed that focus on creating more of a personal challenge. Some of these activities include: an accessible challenge ropes course, hand and/or foot driven catamarans, adapted archery, and a big hit with older campers, SCUBA diving. A priority is placed on adapting activities so that children of ALL abilities can participate and most importantly succeed. It’s about creating opportunities for individual accomplishment in a positive and encouraging environment. Parents continually report increased independence, self-esteem, and social interactions following a week at camp.
During the Summer Camps program, campers stay overnight from Sunday to Friday and are provided complete care by Camp Aldersgate's highly trained counselors, staff, volunteers, nurses, and volunteer physicians. Come camp with us and meet new friends!
Med Camps
There are six sessions dedicated to children diagnosed with specific medical conditions including muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, diabetes, heart conditions, arthritis, kidney disorders, cancer, bleeding disorders, and asthma. The program works in partnership with local health agencies who recruit the campers and provide partial funding, as well as Med Camps of Arkansas, Inc., a not-for-profit project of the Arkansas Chapter of The American Academy of Pediatrics, who provide volunteer physicians for each week of camp, reviews all medical policies and procedures, and provides partial funding. Arkansas Children’s Hospital plays a large part in helping Camp Aldersgate’s campers. Arkansas Children’s Hospital encourages volunteerism among its nursing and medical staff to support the volunteer staffing needs of the Camp’s programs. Camp Aldersgate provides the site, the staff, the program design and funding.
Kota Camps
A camp program for campers with various disabilities (primarily those not covered by a Med Camps) and his or her non-disabled sibling or friend. These camps are named for the Quapaw Native American word for "friend." Campers with disabilities participate with a brother, sister or friend. Two six-day sessions are offered during the summer.
Camp Aldersgate’s Weekend Camps provide developmentally appropriate opportunities for our campers to participate in and experience activities that promote cognitive, physical, social and emotional growth in a fun, engaging, camp setting. Through successful experiences, campers are able to learn skills that can translate into productive, healthy and satisfying lives.
Weekend Camps are offered in three “Trails”: Adventure, Explore, and Discover, each with its own emphasis of skills and areas to work on. Trails are complementary, rather than progressive, with each one encompassing a complete camp experience. Some campers may follow one trail throughout their time at camp, others may switch trails in order to build on different skill areas; both will be successful experiences. The goal is not to experience all three trails, but rather to identify strengths and develop the skills that will be the most beneficial to the individual camper.
Campers on the Adventure Trail will focus on gaining independence through trying new things, being away from home, experiencing new people, and adapting to new settings. On this trail, campers will be encouraged to complete as much as they can, as independently as possible. The goal of the Adventure Trail is for campers to successfully gain skills that will help them enjoy themselves and become less dependent upon their typical caregivers.
The Explore Trail will focus on gaining self-esteem and confidence through navigating new experiences. On this trail, which is based on the proven link between positive self-esteem and the acquisition of new skills, campers reinforce what has already been accomplished, while developing new skills.
The goal of the Discover Trail is to foster self-discovery, leadership and teamwork in each of our campers. Campers on this trail will be asked to discover more about themselves, find their individual voices, recognize their strengths, and serve as leaders amongst their peers.
Activity planning for each weekend will include a mix of physical activities, art, outdoor activities, structured and free play.Program quality assurance is maintained through the use of intentional camper placement and consistent review. This process ensures that each camper is on the most appropriate trail and that activities remain beneficial and engaging.
Specialty Camps Camp Aldersgate collaborates with a variety health agencies and service organizations to offer specialty camps. These camps provide the opportunity to develop a program tailored to the objectives of the agency, as well as giving participants the opportunity to experience camp activities.
Past Specialty Camps Include:
Camp Sunshine – collaboration with Arkansas Children’s Hospital Burn Unit and Arkansas Professional Fire Fighters to provide a four day camp for burn survivors.
Camp Runamuck – collaboration with Arkansas Enterprises for the Developmentally Disabled (AEDD) to offer overnight camps to adults with Developmental Disabilities.
ACRTDC Resource & Camp Day – collaboration with Arkansas Center for Respiratory Technology Dependent Children (ACRTDC) to serve families of children who require respiratory assistance.
Camp Laughter – collaboration with Arkansas Children’s Hospital Division of Plastic Surgery to serve kids living with craniofacial abnormalities and their family members.
Camp Healing Hearts – collaboration with Methodist Family Health Kaleidoscope Kids to serve families who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
Seniors Day Out
Since its inception in the early 1970s, the Seniors Day Out program at Camp Aldersgate has been providing fun and fellowship, as well as the opportunity for senior adults to enjoy nutritious meals, educational activities, exercise, guest speakers, Bible study, singing, arts and crafts, board games, fishing derbies, holiday and birthday parties and the opportunity to interact with one another.
Our Seniors Day Out program meets every Thursday from August through May. This weekly program has over 55 participants from Central Arkansas. Participants begin arriving between 9:30a.m. and 10:00a.m. for socialization. Programming begins around 10:15 a.m. with a devotional, exercise and the choice of participating in various activities. Meals are provided by CareLink. After lunch, seniors enjoy programs that range from educational topics to entertainment. The Seniors Day Out program adjourns at 1 p.m. and transportation is provided to certain areas of the city.