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BIDDEFORD, Maine

City of Biddeford teams up with UNE to form summer camp for children with Autism

Caryn Husman, Cathy Dionne of the Autism Society of Maine, Councilor Robert Quattrone and Mayor Alan Casavant
UNE Director of Health, Wellness & Occupational Studies Caryn Husman, Cathy Dionne of the Autism Society of Maine, Councilor Robert Quattrone and Mayor Alan Casavant

On February 21, 2017, the City of Biddeford announced a new summer camp for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The University of New England Westbrook College of Health Professions developed an academic course for undergraduate students in the Health, Wellness and Occupational Studies program about Autism. Students are currently enrolled in the course and will serve as the camp counselors, providing 1:1 care and support for the children. The UNE students receive course credits as well as valuable hands on experience with the children. The camp concept was developed and is being implemented with the help of the UNE Occupational Therapy Department and Community Therapy Center.

This camp experience is modeled after Camp Summit at the University of Maine Farmington (UMF), a successful program that has been working with children with ASD for 14 years. It was developed with the UMF Department of Psychology and the Autism Society of Maine (ASM).

Biddeford Schools will provide the use of John F Kennedy Memorial School (JFK), the same place where the City holds its Safari Camp summer recreational programs. Safari Camp and Finding the Pieces will run concurrently, providing a chance for children to commingle in a safe, fun and inclusive setting. The City will also provide transportation for field trips, which will be extended to include some children from Dayton to attend, as an added benefit to the community.

The Sanford Elks will provide the majority of the funding for the camp. Its Autism Fundraising Committee works throughout the year to raise monies for Autism and has been looking for an appropriate beneficiary in York County. ASM is providing 501(c) 3 status for the camp. Donations earmarked for the Finding the Pieces summer program will go toward supplies, field trips and up to three paid camp employee positions.

The camp will be held August 7 – 18, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., during the two weeks immediately following the Extended School Year program.

Read more from the Portland Press Herald.   

Watch the story from WMTW.

Read more from the Courier.

To learn more about the University of New England’s Westbrook College of Health Professions visit www.une.edu/wchp

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.