Home and Gone Again

I feel like we just got home and now we pack up to leave again.

This time for a different adventure, in Girdwood, our little ski town 45 minutes south of Anchorage.

(And I still have more to write and say about our two weeks in Seward. And there are so many gardens to tend to and friends to see...but yes, I'm excited to go.)

We signed both kids up to participate in the Alaska chapter of Adam's Camp, a therapeutic recreational program for children with special needs, that even includes a sibling program so Olive can connect with other children growing up with a brother or sister who doesn't look or act like a typical kid.

Our hope for Elias is that he will increase his independence skills while making friends. Not grown-up friends, not kind kids who include him every now and again but an honest to god friend.

A kid like him maybe. Or who gets him and enjoys him, quirks and all.

And if not, at least he will be forced to interact as part of a group, led by experts, informed by us, out of sight, on his own.

Adam's Camp started in Colorado and offers all kinds of tailored programs at their home base. The Alaska one just started last summer and focuses on kids on the Autism spectrum. In Elias's Trailblazer program he will be one of five kids, with a team of four therapists and two volunteers who will take them rafting, swimming, hiking, and rock climbing among other activities. 

Olive will do similar adventures with her group for half the day, away from both her brother and her Mom and Dad.

The camp also offers parent meetings for us to connect with other families riding this spectrum of life outside the lines. Something we dont always take the time to do in person, with actual face to face conversation. (Damn internet.)

And best of all, Adams Camp gives Nick and I time to explore the mountain. Together. Without children.

 

View from the upper mountain taken in January, it will be a little different in July.

And there are even sperate overnights for both kids on Tuesday, Elias in a cabin, Olive tenting it with her group, so someone else will put our children to bed while we enjoy a date night and an evening alone in the trailer.

(Which we will need after three nights in a small box with our kids.)

And did I mention that camp begins tonight with a wine and cheese meet and greet for the parents and therapists at a retreat cabin, while all our children remain supervised off site...?

Ok, so I can leave my gardens again for the week.

When we return, my parents arrive and we have a three day turnaround till our big yearly camping/fishing trip on the Kenai, so if you don't hear from me again for two weeks that's why.

Ah, summer in Alaska.

Comments

[Ginna]

Sounds like an awesome week ahead for all!

[Liz the PT]

A couple I work with suggested a wine and cheese night for parents to socialize. :) Too bad state-funded programs don't get to put those kinds of things on! Sounds like a great time ahead for all.

[Tabatha]

Two thumbs up!!

[Valerie Demming]

Wonderful that you are able to do this with the whole family...I went to Seward this weekend and tried to visualize where your property is...valerie

[Noel Dennehy]

Just wanted to touch base to tell you again how much I love your writings- please never stop. Loved hearing your love story again with Nick- you two are so blessed! One of these days we are going up to Alaska and can't wait to meet you all. Have a wonderful time with your parents.
Lots of love always from your cousin Noël