Transitions Mini Camp
December 28 - 30, 2016 

Join us at Transitions for a camp that focuses on transitioning from school and home to independent living and building an exceptional life for young adults with learning differences. High school students and young adults are welcome to attend for a weekend of informative seminars and fun with peers in our state-of-the-art Adirondack facility.


WHAT TO EXPECT

This camp will seek to answer important questions about the challenging journey into adulthood for young adults with learning differences of all kinds. Attendees will experience a wide variety of engaging programming, including:

• Seminars in leadership, social skills, wellness, advocacy and independent living, each featuring practical experiences and applications.
• A keynote speech from Priya Winston, a graduate of the University at Albany – SUNY. Drawing from her personal experiences as a successful individual with learning differences, she will discuss advocacy and success beyond disability.
• The development of basic personalized plans for each attendee’s extraordinary future.
• An informational interview to assess support needs for attendees who are new to Transitions.
• Enrichment classes in music, theater, art and more.
• Meeting Transitions instructors, mentors, alumni and current Apprentices.
• Fun social activities, including outdoor Adirondack wintertime outings.

ABOUT TRANSITIONS

Transitions is a supportive Apprenticeship for young men and women with autism spectrum disorders and other learning differences who want to attend college and/or prepare for a career, but may require academic, social, medical and/or emotional support. The Transitions program focuses on building academic skills, life skills and general independence for high school graduates and young adults with learning differences. Its specialty isn’t just in teaching students how to study or learn a trade – it’s in showing its students that they can live a life that even they never dreamed of.

TRANSITIONS ACCEPTS STUDENTS WHO ARE:
• Recent high school graduates up to age 27
• Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders including Asperger’s syndrome, ADHD, dyslexia, nonverbal        learning disorders, visual and hearing impairments, medical conditions and other learning differences.
• Emotionally, behaviorally and psychologically stable, motivated to participate and succeed, have the potential to graduate college, hold a job and/or live independently.

TRANSITIONS CURRICULUM
• The core curriculum of Transitions covers the essential areas of social skills, health and wellness, independent life, self-management, and self-advocacy and leadership.
• Apprentices who attend college receive support with studying, managing course work, following course
syllabi, time management and handling social interactions in classrooms.
• Apprentices also receive support as they prepare for a career. They learn how to prepare a resume, dress and act professionally, interview, write and communicate.
• All Apprentices complete internships at local businesses and take a one-credit college course in career success.

KEYNOTE PRESENTER

Priya Winston is one of the program developers at Transitions and an individual with a disability. She was diagnosed with nonverbal learning differences at age fourteen and ever since, she has had to contend with people telling her she would not accomplish her goals. Even expert psychologists assured Priya that she would have difficulty in high school and that some things would be simply out of her reach. But through a lot of hard work and the support of a parent who has built a distinguished career supporting individuals with differences, Priya has gone far above and beyond the expectations people set before her. Now, she is a recent graduate of SUNY Albany’s Honors College. She maintained a full academic-based scholarship and was able to work, volunteer at her church and complete two internships while going to school. Priya is living proof that a diagnosis of a learning difference does not in any way mean that someone can’t accomplish the goals they set for themselves.

SCHEDULE

Day ONE

4:30PM | Arrival, registration, introductions and tour
5:30 to 6:30PM | Keynote Address
6:30 to 7:30PM | Dinner 
7:30 to 9PM | Mixer with karaoke and photo booths

DAY TWO

8 to 9AM | Breakfast buffet
9 to 10AM | Wellness seminar presented by a Mayo Clinic certified Wellness Coach
10 to 11AM | Art in the Adirondacks at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts with local artist Brenda Dwyer
11 to 12:30PM | Culinary class with Chef Salvatore Mannino: making old world style pasta with marina              sauce and meatballs
12:30 to 1:30PM | Lunch
1:30 to 3PM | Theater class with actress and director Roberta Esposito
3 to 4:30PM | Leadership and advocacy seminar
4:30 to 5PM | Free time to enjoy the site
5 to 6PM | Career preparation seminar
6 to 7PM | Dinner
7 to 9PM | Team sports or music class with DiAnne Mott, a Grammy Award-winning local music teacher          

DAY THREE

8 to 9AM | Breakfast
9 to 10AM | Social skills seminar
10 to 11AM | Independent living seminar
11 to 11:30AM | Distribution of certificates and checkout

For detailed course descriptions, visit www.transitionsusa.org. 

PARENT TRACK
TAKES PLACE ON DAY TWO OF EACH CAMP

10 to 11:30AM | Transitions tour and curriculum overview
11:30 to 12:30PM | Lunch
12:30 to 2:30PM | 10 Things You Need to Know Before Your Son or Daughter Leaves Home (and How to Learn Them)

ACCOMODATIONS

Students in high school will stay in dormitory-style housing while students beyond high school will experience group apartment living. Peer mentors will be available onsite and can provide verbal prompting for daily living skills such as waking up on time and managing medications.

ROOM RATES
    Single: $80 per night
    Double: $50 per night
    Four to a room: $35 per night

Students and families may also choose to stay in local hotels. Please ask for the “Lexington” room rate at the following hotels:

    Holiday Inn
    January/February - $98.95, May/October - $99.95, December - $98.95 per night*
    308 N. Comrie Ave.
    Johnstown, NY 12095
    (518) 762-4686
   
    Microtel
    $79 +tax per night*
    136 N. Comrie Ave.
    Johnstown, NY 12095
    (518) 762-5425

    *Rates subject to change.

MEALS

Meals are included in the registration fee. Please contact us if you have any dietary restrictions.

WHAT TO BRING

• Favorite pillows or items
• Toiletries
• Outside gear appropriate for the weather
• Sneakers

Register Now!