WEBVTT
00:00:03.919 --> 00:00:08.640
So I have a niece who is now 12 years old and she has autism.
00:00:08.880 --> 00:00:16.160
Years ago, I saw the struggle that my sister had to find programs that met her needs and that worked with her well.
00:00:16.320 --> 00:00:18.640
I decided to start a program.
00:00:18.879 --> 00:00:24.960
So I call the program God Inspired because it didn't exactly start out where I just wanted to create a program.
00:00:25.359 --> 00:00:30.320
I was kind of complaining about the fact that there were a lack, there was a lack of programs available.
00:00:30.480 --> 00:00:33.920
And so sometimes when you start complaining, you are the solution.
00:00:34.240 --> 00:00:42.479
I was finishing up my doctoral degree in early childhood autism and got the idea, and that was in 2019, and here we are.
00:00:42.640 --> 00:00:49.759
Families often talk about how they see their children's social skills growing and the fact that they actually make friends in the program.
00:00:49.840 --> 00:00:56.560
And some of our children, they sometimes don't have a lot of friends, but coming into our program, they get to meet new friends.
00:00:56.880 --> 00:01:00.560
Some of the things they really appreciate, they love the staff.
00:01:00.960 --> 00:01:05.760
So I believe any good team has to have the right people on it.
00:01:05.920 --> 00:01:09.519
Some children will actually hide from their parents when it's time to go home.
00:01:09.760 --> 00:01:11.120
Yes, they hide from their parents.
00:01:11.200 --> 00:01:15.519
And it's kind of funny because that means they're having so much fun that they don't want to leave.
00:01:22.640 --> 00:01:23.760
My name is Jamine Delves.
00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:26.079
I am the founder of the organization.
00:01:26.159 --> 00:01:41.040
And what Infinite Spectrum is, is it's an organization that focuses heavily on the creative side, specifically podcasts, where we teach individuals on the spectrum about podcast production, all the way from pre-production to production to distribution, marketing, and design.
00:01:41.120 --> 00:01:45.599
That's kind of what we do because we are now living in the world, an age of podcasting.
00:01:45.680 --> 00:01:48.400
And this is a great way for individuals to get their voice out.
00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:52.400
What better way to teach podcasts and then not have one as well?
00:01:52.560 --> 00:01:54.560
We have a podcast called Autism Explain.
00:01:54.640 --> 00:02:22.319
And Autism Explain is designed for a place for voices, families, uh expertise, things of that nature to come out, speak about their life experiences and how they navigate through life so that you can help others in that same way while at the same time having subject matter experts on the podcast that will also be a resource to individuals with uh with two individuals with um children on the spectrum or family members on the spectrum as a resource available to you.
00:02:22.400 --> 00:02:25.680
And that podcast is now streaming on all major platforms.
00:02:25.919 --> 00:02:30.719
You can also get this information from our website at infinite spectrumfoundation.org.
00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:38.240
On top of our program skills, we also have our spectrum support that we host every second Thursday from 6 30 to 7 30.
00:02:38.400 --> 00:02:51.840
These formats come in both virtual and in-person, where we have interactive skills for individuals who are neurodivergent, who are parents, who are caregivers, who are college students, who are families or friends, or just individuals who want to learn more about the autism spectrums.
00:02:52.080 --> 00:02:59.599
Feel free to come out to any of our spectrum support groups and you can find out where we're hosting them at infant spectrum foundation.org slash events.
00:02:59.840 --> 00:03:04.159
Hi everyone, my name is Dacia Williams, and I'm the host for Autism Explain today.
00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:08.319
With me I have Iris Pendleton, owner and founder of Camp Summer Garden.
00:03:08.479 --> 00:03:08.719
Yes.
00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:09.039
Yes.
00:03:09.199 --> 00:03:10.879
Can you tell us a little bit about that program?
00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:16.960
Sure, Camp Summer Garden is an inclusive after school and summer camp for children with autism.
00:03:17.120 --> 00:03:20.879
It is built for and especially for children with autism.
00:03:21.039 --> 00:03:23.599
However, I always tell people we can serve any child.
00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:28.319
Some unique features of our program are our low staff to child ratios.
00:03:28.879 --> 00:03:34.800
We have generally one adult for every three to five children, and we keep a very small group.
00:03:34.960 --> 00:03:41.120
For instance, our after-school program will have 15 children and the summer camp around 25.
00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:45.120
So we're very small with a lot of support in our program.
00:03:45.360 --> 00:03:45.759
Nice.
00:03:45.919 --> 00:03:49.199
What led you to work with individuals who are neurodiversion?
00:03:49.520 --> 00:03:54.719
Okay, so I have a niece who is now 12 years old and she has autism.
00:03:55.199 --> 00:04:03.120
And years ago, I saw the struggle that my sister had to find programs that met her needs and that worked with her well.
00:04:03.280 --> 00:04:06.719
And so I decided to start a program.
00:04:06.960 --> 00:04:15.759
And in a lot of ways, I call the program God-inspired because it didn't exactly start out where I just wanted to create a program because I needed one for my needs.
00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:20.720
I was kind of complaining about the fact that there were a lack, there was a lack of programs available.
00:04:20.879 --> 00:04:25.439
And so sometimes when you start complaining, you are the solution to that complaining.
00:04:25.600 --> 00:04:33.759
I was finishing up my doctoral degree in early childhood autism and got the idea, and that was in 2019, and here we are.
00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:34.800
Oh, nice.
00:04:35.040 --> 00:04:38.879
What are some things that parents say about your program that keeps in coming back?
00:04:39.199 --> 00:04:43.600
So some of the things they really appreciate, they love the staff.
00:04:43.839 --> 00:04:48.720
So I believe any good team has to have the right people on it.
00:04:48.879 --> 00:04:59.199
And so we're very intentional about hiring people who have specific training, specific education, and who also just have a heart for working with the children with autism.
00:04:59.279 --> 00:05:02.160
And so our staff definitely keeps people coming back.
00:05:02.399 --> 00:05:06.480
The small group sizes and staff-to-child ratios that I told you about.
00:05:06.639 --> 00:05:08.639
And then the fun activities.
00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:16.480
So one of our things that we find to be fun is that some children will actually hide from their parents when it's time to go home.
00:05:16.720 --> 00:05:18.160
Yes, they hide from their parents.
00:05:18.240 --> 00:05:22.319
And it's kind of funny because that means they're having so much fun that they don't want to leave.
00:05:22.560 --> 00:05:30.160
And families often talk about how they see their children's social skills growing and the fact that they actually make friends in the program.
00:05:30.319 --> 00:05:37.199
And some of our children, they sometimes don't have a lot of friends, but coming into our program, they get to meet new friends.
00:05:37.439 --> 00:05:38.000
Nice.
00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:44.319
Our kids are allowed to re-enroll into that program to reconnect with the friendships that they established better before.
00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:46.879
So we have an active Facebook page.
00:05:47.040 --> 00:05:49.600
We also keep an email list of all of our families.
00:05:49.839 --> 00:05:52.720
And usually I don't have to ask them to come back.
00:05:52.879 --> 00:06:05.519
Um, like I have some children who have been with us ever since our first year that we did our in-person summer camp, and their families, they ask me before registration opens, when do we need to, when do we need to sign up?
00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:09.360
And so um which is always a good thing.
00:06:09.600 --> 00:06:10.079
Yeah.
00:06:10.399 --> 00:06:13.519
Can you tell the most outrageous story that has occurred?
00:06:13.920 --> 00:06:20.560
So I started out recently we, you know, we had the space capsule that landed and it was getting ready.
00:06:20.800 --> 00:06:29.040
Or actually, when they went on the mission for the Artemis, I had a child in the program who got off the van that day to come into after school.
00:06:29.199 --> 00:06:35.199
And he couldn't really give us a complete sentence, but he started telling us, hey, there's a spaceship going up, there's a shuttle.
00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:36.399
We need to watch.
00:06:36.639 --> 00:06:41.439
And so we turned on the countdown that day, and I didn't even realize it was happening.
00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:46.160
But because he told us, we were all watching and we watched it together.
00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:52.319
And then that evening, um, when it finally took off, his mom checked in and said, Hey, he asked if you were watching it.
00:06:52.480 --> 00:06:55.839
And then a few days ago, when it returned back to Earth, same thing.
00:06:56.000 --> 00:07:01.040
His mom checked in because he wanted to make sure that I was keeping up with this.
00:07:01.279 --> 00:07:05.120
Um and so there's there's just always things that the kids do.
00:07:05.199 --> 00:07:08.879
Like I had a cute moment a few days ago in the kitchen area.
00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:11.519
One of the little girls, she said, Hey, sit down.
00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:14.879
I'm gonna cook you some steak and some lobster and all of this.
00:07:14.959 --> 00:07:16.240
And I said, How much does it cost?
00:07:16.319 --> 00:07:17.199
Oh, it's a dollar.
00:07:17.920 --> 00:07:23.439
And I'm like, restaurants are really not treating me well because I've never had that kind of meal for a dollar.
00:07:23.759 --> 00:07:25.040
Five-star meal for a dollar.
00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:26.319
And I love it here.
00:07:26.879 --> 00:07:37.759
And um I think there are other things that happen, like when the kids are looking forward to seeing us, like when I go by the after school and they say, Hey, are you gonna you're gonna be here to play with me today?
00:07:37.839 --> 00:07:41.279
Or they come and give me a hug, or um, that kind of thing.
00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:42.399
So love that.
00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:42.639
Yeah.
00:07:42.879 --> 00:07:46.480
Can you tell the audience where we can find you and how we can keep up with Camp Summer Garden?
00:07:46.720 --> 00:07:48.079
Yeah, so we are online.
00:07:48.319 --> 00:07:58.399
We have a website, campsummergarden.org, and we also have an Instagram, which is Camp SummerGarden TLH, or CampsummerGarden underscore T L H.
00:07:58.560 --> 00:08:01.120
And then we have a Facebook page, Camp Summer Garden.
00:08:01.920 --> 00:08:03.920
Iris, thank you again for coming on the show.
00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:05.279
And thank you guys for tuning in.
00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:08.959
My name is Dacia Wales, and this is Autism Explained the Way We See It.
00:00:03.919 --> 00:00:08.640
So I have a niece who is now 12 years old and she has autism.
00:00:08.880 --> 00:00:16.160
Years ago, I saw the struggle that my sister had to find programs that met her needs and that worked with her well.
00:00:16.320 --> 00:00:18.640
I decided to start a program.
00:00:18.879 --> 00:00:24.960
So I call the program God Inspired because it didn't exactly start out where I just wanted to create a program.
00:00:25.359 --> 00:00:30.320
I was kind of complaining about the fact that there were a lack, there was a lack of programs available.
00:00:30.480 --> 00:00:33.920
And so sometimes when you start complaining, you are the solution.
00:00:34.240 --> 00:00:42.479
I was finishing up my doctoral degree in early childhood autism and got the idea, and that was in 2019, and here we are.
00:00:42.640 --> 00:00:49.759
Families often talk about how they see their children's social skills growing and the fact that they actually make friends in the program.
00:00:49.840 --> 00:00:56.560
And some of our children, they sometimes don't have a lot of friends, but coming into our program, they get to meet new friends.
00:00:56.880 --> 00:01:00.560
Some of the things they really appreciate, they love the staff.
00:01:00.960 --> 00:01:05.760
So I believe any good team has to have the right people on it.
00:01:05.920 --> 00:01:09.519
Some children will actually hide from their parents when it's time to go home.
00:01:09.760 --> 00:01:11.120
Yes, they hide from their parents.
00:01:11.200 --> 00:01:15.519
And it's kind of funny because that means they're having so much fun that they don't want to leave.
00:01:22.640 --> 00:01:23.760
My name is Jamine Delves.
00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:26.079
I am the founder of the organization.
00:01:26.159 --> 00:01:41.040
And what Infinite Spectrum is, is it's an organization that focuses heavily on the creative side, specifically podcasts, where we teach individuals on the spectrum about podcast production, all the way from pre-production to production to distribution, marketing, and design.
00:01:41.120 --> 00:01:45.599
That's kind of what we do because we are now living in the world, an age of podcasting.
00:01:45.680 --> 00:01:48.400
And this is a great way for individuals to get their voice out.
00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:52.400
What better way to teach podcasts and then not have one as well?
00:01:52.560 --> 00:01:54.560
We have a podcast called Autism Explain.
00:01:54.640 --> 00:02:22.319
And Autism Explain is designed for a place for voices, families, uh expertise, things of that nature to come out, speak about their life experiences and how they navigate through life so that you can help others in that same way while at the same time having subject matter experts on the podcast that will also be a resource to individuals with uh with two individuals with um children on the spectrum or family members on the spectrum as a resource available to you.
00:02:22.400 --> 00:02:25.680
And that podcast is now streaming on all major platforms.
00:02:25.919 --> 00:02:30.719
You can also get this information from our website at infinite spectrumfoundation.org.
00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:38.240
On top of our program skills, we also have our spectrum support that we host every second Thursday from 6 30 to 7 30.
00:02:38.400 --> 00:02:51.840
These formats come in both virtual and in-person, where we have interactive skills for individuals who are neurodivergent, who are parents, who are caregivers, who are college students, who are families or friends, or just individuals who want to learn more about the autism spectrums.
00:02:52.080 --> 00:02:59.599
Feel free to come out to any of our spectrum support groups and you can find out where we're hosting them at infant spectrum foundation.org slash events.
00:02:59.840 --> 00:03:04.159
Hi everyone, my name is Dacia Williams, and I'm the host for Autism Explain today.
00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:08.319
With me I have Iris Pendleton, owner and founder of Camp Summer Garden.
00:03:08.479 --> 00:03:08.719
Yes.
00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:09.039
Yes.
00:03:09.199 --> 00:03:10.879
Can you tell us a little bit about that program?
00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:16.960
Sure, Camp Summer Garden is an inclusive after school and summer camp for children with autism.
00:03:17.120 --> 00:03:20.879
It is built for and especially for children with autism.
00:03:21.039 --> 00:03:23.599
However, I always tell people we can serve any child.
00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:28.319
Some unique features of our program are our low staff to child ratios.
00:03:28.879 --> 00:03:34.800
We have generally one adult for every three to five children, and we keep a very small group.
00:03:34.960 --> 00:03:41.120
For instance, our after-school program will have 15 children and the summer camp around 25.
00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:45.120
So we're very small with a lot of support in our program.
00:03:45.360 --> 00:03:45.759
Nice.
00:03:45.919 --> 00:03:49.199
What led you to work with individuals who are neurodiversion?
00:03:49.520 --> 00:03:54.719
Okay, so I have a niece who is now 12 years old and she has autism.
00:03:55.199 --> 00:04:03.120
And years ago, I saw the struggle that my sister had to find programs that met her needs and that worked with her well.
00:04:03.280 --> 00:04:06.719
And so I decided to start a program.
00:04:06.960 --> 00:04:15.759
And in a lot of ways, I call the program God-inspired because it didn't exactly start out where I just wanted to create a program because I needed one for my needs.
00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:20.720
I was kind of complaining about the fact that there were a lack, there was a lack of programs available.
00:04:20.879 --> 00:04:25.439
And so sometimes when you start complaining, you are the solution to that complaining.
00:04:25.600 --> 00:04:33.759
I was finishing up my doctoral degree in early childhood autism and got the idea, and that was in 2019, and here we are.
00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:34.800
Oh, nice.
00:04:35.040 --> 00:04:38.879
What are some things that parents say about your program that keeps in coming back?
00:04:39.199 --> 00:04:43.600
So some of the things they really appreciate, they love the staff.
00:04:43.839 --> 00:04:48.720
So I believe any good team has to have the right people on it.
00:04:48.879 --> 00:04:59.199
And so we're very intentional about hiring people who have specific training, specific education, and who also just have a heart for working with the children with autism.
00:04:59.279 --> 00:05:02.160
And so our staff definitely keeps people coming back.
00:05:02.399 --> 00:05:06.480
The small group sizes and staff-to-child ratios that I told you about.
00:05:06.639 --> 00:05:08.639
And then the fun activities.
00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:16.480
So one of our things that we find to be fun is that some children will actually hide from their parents when it's time to go home.
00:05:16.720 --> 00:05:18.160
Yes, they hide from their parents.
00:05:18.240 --> 00:05:22.319
And it's kind of funny because that means they're having so much fun that they don't want to leave.
00:05:22.560 --> 00:05:30.160
And families often talk about how they see their children's social skills growing and the fact that they actually make friends in the program.
00:05:30.319 --> 00:05:37.199
And some of our children, they sometimes don't have a lot of friends, but coming into our program, they get to meet new friends.
00:05:37.439 --> 00:05:38.000
Nice.
00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:44.319
Our kids are allowed to re-enroll into that program to reconnect with the friendships that they established better before.
00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:46.879
So we have an active Facebook page.
00:05:47.040 --> 00:05:49.600
We also keep an email list of all of our families.
00:05:49.839 --> 00:05:52.720
And usually I don't have to ask them to come back.
00:05:52.879 --> 00:06:05.519
Um, like I have some children who have been with us ever since our first year that we did our in-person summer camp, and their families, they ask me before registration opens, when do we need to, when do we need to sign up?
00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:09.360
And so um which is always a good thing.
00:06:09.600 --> 00:06:10.079
Yeah.
00:06:10.399 --> 00:06:13.519
Can you tell the most outrageous story that has occurred?
00:06:13.920 --> 00:06:20.560
So I started out recently we, you know, we had the space capsule that landed and it was getting ready.
00:06:20.800 --> 00:06:29.040
Or actually, when they went on the mission for the Artemis, I had a child in the program who got off the van that day to come into after school.
00:06:29.199 --> 00:06:35.199
And he couldn't really give us a complete sentence, but he started telling us, hey, there's a spaceship going up, there's a shuttle.
00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:36.399
We need to watch.
00:06:36.639 --> 00:06:41.439
And so we turned on the countdown that day, and I didn't even realize it was happening.
00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:46.160
But because he told us, we were all watching and we watched it together.
00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:52.319
And then that evening, um, when it finally took off, his mom checked in and said, Hey, he asked if you were watching it.
00:06:52.480 --> 00:06:55.839
And then a few days ago, when it returned back to Earth, same thing.
00:06:56.000 --> 00:07:01.040
His mom checked in because he wanted to make sure that I was keeping up with this.
00:07:01.279 --> 00:07:05.120
Um and so there's there's just always things that the kids do.
00:07:05.199 --> 00:07:08.879
Like I had a cute moment a few days ago in the kitchen area.
00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:11.519
One of the little girls, she said, Hey, sit down.
00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:14.879
I'm gonna cook you some steak and some lobster and all of this.
00:07:14.959 --> 00:07:16.240
And I said, How much does it cost?
00:07:16.319 --> 00:07:17.199
Oh, it's a dollar.
00:07:17.920 --> 00:07:23.439
And I'm like, restaurants are really not treating me well because I've never had that kind of meal for a dollar.
00:07:23.759 --> 00:07:25.040
Five-star meal for a dollar.
00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:26.319
And I love it here.
00:07:26.879 --> 00:07:37.759
And um I think there are other things that happen, like when the kids are looking forward to seeing us, like when I go by the after school and they say, Hey, are you gonna you're gonna be here to play with me today?
00:07:37.839 --> 00:07:41.279
Or they come and give me a hug, or um, that kind of thing.
00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:42.399
So love that.
00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:42.639
Yeah.
00:07:42.879 --> 00:07:46.480
Can you tell the audience where we can find you and how we can keep up with Camp Summer Garden?
00:07:46.720 --> 00:07:48.079
Yeah, so we are online.
00:07:48.319 --> 00:07:58.399
We have a website, campsummergarden.org, and we also have an Instagram, which is Camp SummerGarden TLH, or CampsummerGarden underscore T L H.
00:07:58.560 --> 00:08:01.120
And then we have a Facebook page, Camp Summer Garden.
00:08:01.920 --> 00:08:03.920
Iris, thank you again for coming on the show.
00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:05.279
And thank you guys for tuning in.
00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:08.959
My name is Dacia Wales, and this is Autism Explained the Way We See It.
