Children whose parents are deployed in Iraq with the Minnesota National Guard are invited to a weeklong faith-based camp called "Camp Noah: A Soldier's Coming Home."
The free camp, which was developed by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, is designed to help children identify the talents they have to help make it a successful reunion when their parents return from war, and to build on the resilience they already have shown while their parents were away, according to a news release.
Camps take place at five sites across the state. The Duluth camp will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 9-13 at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1325 N. 45th Ave. E. The other camps are in Baxter/Brainerd (June 25-29), Moorhead (June 25-29), the Twin Cities (July 16-20), and Rochester (July 16-20).
The camps are for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Transportation assistance may be available.
The camps are full of fun activities, but have broader goals to build on children's strength, rely on their faith and help them prepare for their parent's return home, James Gambone, camp developer for LSS, said in the release.
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"What we want to do is to show these children that they have gifts and talents that can be used when the reunions happen and the parent returns home and tries to reintegrate back into the family," Gambone said. "We want kids to understand that their roles may have changed, and now, it may change again. We want them to have a chance to talk about that. Our goal is to prepare these children for the work that's going to be ahead as they, and their parents, create a 'new normal' in their families."
During the camp, children will encounter biblical and other characters who have resiliency that children need, the release said.
LSS has 10 years of experience in offering Camp Noah to children who have suffered trauma and loss in natural disasters.
To register a child, call Judith Becker at (800) 987-0061 or (651) 969-2257.
Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER) Center will offer a free workshop June 21 on "What Parents and Professionals Need to Know About Technology for Children with Disabilities." The workshop is 6-9 p.m. at Edgewater Resort and Waterpark, 2400 London Road. Advance registration is requested.
Parents will learn about assistive technology and legal requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004). The session includes tips on choosing appropriate assistive technology devices and information on theMinnesota Assistive Technology Manual.
To register, call PACER at (800) 537-2237 or go to www.pacer.org .
Suggestions of items for Family Matters can be mailed to Linda Hanson, Duluth News Tribune, 424 W. First St. Duluth MN 55802; e-mailed to lhanson@duluthnews.com ; or faxed to (218) 720-4120. Deadline is 12 days before publication.
