Braille Monitor April 2008

NFB Camp: It�s More Than Child�s Play

Elizabeth Rousseau-Rooney (OR) leads a group of NFB Campers through an intersection during a camp field trip. Programs and Activities: During convention week children six weeks through ten years of age are invited to join in the fun and festivities of NFB Camp. NFB Camp offers more than just childcare; it is an opportunity for our blind and sighted children to meet and develop lifelong friendships. Our activity schedule is filled with games, crafts, and special performances designed to entertain, educate, and delight. If you are interested in this year�s program, please complete and return the registration form provided at the end of this article. Preregistration with payment on or before June 15, 2008, is required for staffing purposes. Space is limited, so get your registration in early.

This year our complete registration packet is available on our Website in Word format: <mainstreetmontessori.org>. Complete the entire packet and send it with payment by U.S. mail before June 15th and save time at convention.

About the Staff: NFB Camp is organized and supervised by Carla McQuillan, the executive director of Main Street Montessori Association, operating three schools, parent education courses, and a teacher-training program. Carla is the mother of two children and a longtime leader in the National Federation of the Blind.

Alison McQuillan�camp worker and teacher since 1998�will be our activities director again this year. Over the years we have recruited professional childcare workers from the local community to staff NFB Camp. Recently we have determined that recruiting from our Federation families results in workers with the proper philosophy and attitudes about our blind children. Carla and Alison will be supervising camp workers and all related activities.

Special Events: The children are divided into groups according to age: infants and toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children. Each room is equipped with a variety of age-appropriate toys, games, and books. In addition, school-aged children will have the opportunity to sign up for �Four Hours of Fun in the Stockyards.� Space for special events is limited. We are selling NFB Camp T-shirts this year for $10. Pre-order them to make sure we have your size (call or visit our Website for an order form). On the final day of NFB Camp we will conduct a big toy sale�brand new toys at bargain prices.

Banquet Night: NFB Camp will be open during banquet for an additional fee, which includes dinner as well as entertainment: the Creature Teacher is going to be bringing six exotic animals for a learning and touching experience. Our animal collection will include an African bull frog, a hairless guinea pig, and a giant black African millipede.

Plenty of teens are always available to babysit during evening and luncheon meetings. We will have a list of babysitters at the NFB Camp table at convention.

NFB Camp Registration Form
Completed form and fees must be received on or before June 15, 2008

Parent�s Name ____________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________

City _______________ State___________ Zip______ Phone _______________

Cell Phone _______________ Cell Phone _______________

Child(ren)�s Name(s)
________________________________ Age______ Date of Birth___________

________________________________ Age______ Date of Birth___________

Include description of any disabilities or allergies we should know about: _________

________________________________________________________________

Who, other than parents, is allowed to pick up your child(ren)? ______________

________________________________________________________________

Per Week: $90 first child, $60 siblings No. of children______ $_________
(Does not include banquet)

Per Day: $20 per child per day No. of days_____x$20 child $_________
(Does not include banquet)

Banquet: $15 per child No. of children ______ $_________
_____Hamburger _____Chicken nuggets

Field Trip: $35 per child No. of children_______ $_________

(includes NFB Camp T-shirt-child size: S M L XL)
Total due $_________

We understand that NFB Camp is being provided as a service to make our convention more enjoyable for both parents and children. We will pick up children immediately following sessions. We understand that if our child(ren) does not follow the rules or if for any reason staff is unable to care for our child(ren), further access to childcare will be denied.

Parent�s Signature ______________________________________ Date ______________

Make checks payable to NFB Camp. Return form to NFB Camp, 5005 Main Street, Springfield, Oregon 97478; (541) 726-6924; <mainstreetmontessori.org>

NFB Camp Schedule

NFB Camp will be open during general convention sessions, Division and Committee Meeting Day, and the evening of the banquet. The below scheduled hours for NFB Camp are tentative. The actual hours are based upon the beginning and ending of sessions, so that parents may drop off their child(ren) thirty minutes prior to the start of session and must pick up their child(ren) within thirty minutes from the end of session. On occasion, the end or beginning of session may be earlier or later than the agenda indicates. There is a $10 per quarter-hour per child late pick-up fee. NFB Camp provides morning and afternoon snacks. You are responsible to provide lunch for your children every day.

Date NFB Camp Hours

Sunday, June 29 8:30 a.m.�12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.�5:30 p.m.

Monday, June 30 Camp is closed

Tuesday, July 1 8:30 a.m.�12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.�5:30 p.m.

Field trip for elementary students

Wednesday, July 2 9:30 a.m.�12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.�5:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 3 8:30 a.m.�12:30 p.m.

Friday, July 4 8:30 a.m.�12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.�5:30 p.m.

Banquet 6:30 p.m.�30 minutes after closing

Saturday, July 5 8:30 a.m.�12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.�5:30 p.m.

You are required to provide lunch for your child(ren) each day. These times may vary, depending on the timing of the actual convention sessions. NFB Camp will open thirty minutes before the beginning gavel and close thirty minutes after sessions recess.

Field Trip: �Four Hours of Fun in the Stockyards�
What does four hours of fun mean? It means a historic walking tour of the famous Fort Worth Stockyards, Cowtown, USA; a front-row seat to a live cattle drive, including one-on-one discussion with the herders; a tour of The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame that has numerous restored covered wagons from different periods; and an amazing trip through the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze.

This trip leaves on Tuesday, July 1, and includes transportation to and from the hotel, lunch, an NFB Camp T-shirt and the �Four Hours of Fun.� Tour departs at 8:45 a.m. and returns at 3:00 p.m. Space is limited. We will fill spaces in the order received. Note: registration must be accompanied with payment for consideration, and priority will be given to children enrolled in NFB Camp. Children who are not enrolled for the entire week of NFB Camp are welcome for a fee of $40. Sorry, this trip is only for children 5-10 years of age.

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