Autistry Newsletter June 24, 2014
Janet Lawson, MFT | June 25, 2014
Summer is heating up! We celebrated the end of the Autistry Spring semester and applauded our high school graduates with a dance party on June 7th. This is the third time that we have had Greg Nett bring his karaoke equipment and DJ the dance floor. He got us all singing and dancing! Greg has become an Autistry tradition and we will bring him back as often as we can. And – who knew? – our Autistry gang can really belt out songs. Even some of our shyer students found their voices. Perhaps we should start a new organization: Autism Sings!
Ashley, Dayna, and Brook
Next Monday (June 30th) is the first day of our first Autistry 2014 Summer Camp – City Explorers I. Led by Ashley Gries, Brook Leone and Dayna Camden this camp will feature trips to the Marin Headlands, the Aquarium by the Bay, a hike along the Larkspur coast, and a ferry trip to explore the San Francisco Ferry Building shops! Something for everybody. We’ll be posting photos on our Facebook page so check in often.
While the campers are exploring the city, the Autistry Model Employment Program folks will be busy creating an inventory of wonderful things to offer for sale in the fall. They are making wooden banker boxes, pirate ship kits, Gear-Heart kits, and even a clever tilted board to stretch the calf muscles! Many of these will be ready to purchase at the next Autistry Faire on Sunday, October 19.
Speaking of which….we are in full faire preparation now. This year’s theme is Eco-Tech: Using our Powers for Good! The staff and students of Autistry chose this theme as they feel it reflects their concerns for the environment and their desire to help create a sustainable world. We are very proud of their commitment! On display will be student projects like a lightweight teardrop trailer, planter box gardens, models of ecologically savvy small-footprint houses, and more. And, the very popular recycled cardboard racetrack will return – bigger and better!
The fall faire is our annual fundraising event. The revenue raised supports our Opportunity Fund which allows us to offer sliding scale and scholarships to families who would not otherwise be able to access our programs. You can help by spreading the word! Download our sponsorship forms:
Event Sponsorship – a range of sponsorship levels. At the Patron and Inventor Levels we will build you a custom radio controlled car! Event sponsors will also be invited to a VIP Racetrack Social the night before the Faire where they can enjoy cocktails as they race their cars on the custom cardboard raceway. Last year’s Social was awesome with cars whirling around the track at speeds of more than 20 miles an hour. And yes, crashes did happen!
Booth Sponsorship – put your name on a Fair Booth! Our favorite fun booths are returning – Ring Toss, the Fishing Wall, Creation Station, Shooting Gallery – and we have added a couple new games as well. You can support Autistry with a Booth Sponsorship and help us create an event that is fun for the whole family!
