SUMMER CAMP AT SOAR ACADEMY AT SOAR GAP YEAR AT SOAR
NEWSLETTER
WINTER 2021
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A LIFE TURNED AROUND A Success Story from a SOAR Alumni Zachary was only 11 years old when his mom, Stacey, was told “there is no way you can raise him, you won’t be able to, he has too many problems and difficulties”. But Stacey could not give up on her son, she could not lose him, so she kept searching for answers. Her relentless search brought her into contact with SOAR in the year 2000. Stacey was cautious and researched SOAR thoroughly, checked references, and traveled across the country together with Zach for their first visit and tour of SOAR. Zach loved it! His parents signed him up for two courses that summer. While one month away from her 11-year-old son seemed like a very long time, Stacey and her husband knew Zach needed that much time to receive the full benefit from participating at SOAR and learning the strategies, motivation, and tools taught.
Zach says that the first summer being around other kids, who like himself lived with ADHD, he began to have a new perspective. Because of this, he was able to accept himself and others who are intelligent yet also learn differently. He didn’t just survive at SOAR, as he puts it, he THRIVED! He says he learned how to harness his brain activity in a positive way and even as he states it, bring it into “hyper-focus”. To this day (now 32 years old), he still uses the skills and strategies learned during his summers at SOAR. When Zach returned to school after his first summer at SOAR, he found that he really cared about himself and others, and his school work. He also found that the methods learned at SOAR really did help him with school work. He returned to SOAR four more summers, spending the following summer also in North Carolina, the next in the Florida Keys course, the following with the Wyoming horse packing course, and the final in Colorado where he was able to climb Long’s Peak. While climbing Long’s Peak, a pivotal event occurred in his life. One of his teammates was having a hard time on the climb and fell behind. A SOAR staff instructor stayed back with that teammate -- and Zach asked to stay back and help too! Though adding an additional 6 hours to the climb and forcing them to trail behind the rest of their group, the three of them completed the climb! Zach says for the first time in his life he became a leader and encourager to someone who, like himself, just needed extra time and help! Zach still feels pride today that as a result of the character and commitment he developed, in his final summer with SOAR he was invited into “ILS” (Intensive Leadership Seminar). ILS is SOAR’s program for recognizing good stewardship, dedication, and leadership. Now an adult, Zach believes that participating in SOAR during the crucial years of his young teen life, molded him into the man he has become today: a hard worker, able to focus “1,000%”, accepting of himself for having a mind that works differently and accepting of others who have limitations or challenges. He knows his life could have turned out tragically if his mother had not found SOAR “just in time”. He has a great job, loves where he lives, is happily married, and is expecting his first child. Both Zach and his mom are such believers in SOAR they wanted to reach out and share their story. They’ve worked hard, got help along the way, and overcame barriers. Theysoarnc.org could not have done it alone or without SOAR’s help.
COUNTDOWN TO CAMP! Navigating the Trail Through COVID-19
Updated February 1st, 2021 SOAR’s structure of small groups lends itself to allowing our campers to learn, grow and have fun while navigating our way through COVID -19. Our campers are resilient. Many have demonstrated this throughout the multitude of changes in our lives, but the need for the community, social interaction, self-challenge, and independence that our programs provide has only grown exponentially. Our passion is to provide experiences through our GAP, Academy, or Summer Camp programs that are as safe as possible during a pandemic. Our programs bring friendships, immersion in the outdoors and time away from screens, increased personal responsibility, and so much more.
Using The Experts So much has changed over the last year, such as additional guidelines, learning from the few camps that did open, our better understanding of the virus, etc. In addition, our small boarding school (32 students max) as well as our GAP program (12 participants max) are currently operational and having great success. We are regularly meeting with our internal COVID Task Force to make sure all of our plans and protocols are as safe as possible, as well as in continued compliance with federal, state, and local health officials, the CDC, and the American Camping Association. Here are some of the resources that we are using to create the safest camp experience possible: CDC, ACA, and ACN.
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The following information will refer mainly to our summer camp as we are preparing to operate beginning May 2021. However, much of this information applies to our GAP and Academy programs that are currently in operation. If you would like more program-specific information regarding the Academy or Gap please review our Academy and GAP COVID Updates document or reach out to our Admissions department at 828-456-3435 or admissions@soarnc.org. As we detail our considerations and plans below and in our Navigating the Trail to Summer 2021 document, we consider the following: • • • • •
As an outdoor program, we are well-positioned to operate with appropriate COVID modifications and protocols. Small-Group Cohorts – SOAR’s model has always been centered around the use of small group cohorts. We will continue to operate in those cohorts as much as possible. Utilizing as many NPI’s (non-pharmaceutical interventions) as possible , such as mask, hand washing, social distancing, etc. The previous year of mitigation practice that all campers and counselors will have experienced. The continued positive news regarding vaccines.
SOAR’s Current Plans, Procedures, & Considerations We have detailed our initial plans in the Navigating the Trail to Summer 2021 document, we consider the following: Please understand this is a working document. All of these considerations are subject to change. This document is not our final operations procedures for 2021. Rather it is a snapshot of our thinking if we were to open camp next month, based on what we know now from science and best practices today. While we hope that by Summer 2021 the world is closer to some kind of normal again, we are nevertheless preparing to operate camp in a world where COVID is still with us. Camp will look and feel different this year. But the value of being in an outdoor setting, among friends old and new, and participating in fun camp activities is needed more than ever during this challenging year. If you have any questions about next summer, please reach out. We are here to talk through any questions or concerns you have. Give us a call at 828-456-3435 or email us at admissions@soarnc.org.
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Join Us for Our FREE Webinar Series!
For March join Big John and guest speaker Randy Kulman as they discuss “Does My Child Spend Too Much Time on the Computer Gaming? What Can I Do About It?” Guidelines for healthy screen time after COVID-19. • • •
Screen time for kids and teens- Pros and cons, prior to, during, and post COVID-19 What can kids learn from screen time? Balancing screen time with other activities- Why a healthy Play Diet should always be a goal
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How to integrate the new rules for screen time into the post-COVID-19 world
Missed a webinar? You can catch up on our website any time at www.soarnc.org/webinars
A BIG THANK YOU FROM SOAR Thank you to all the donors that helped SOAR during our first-ever Capital Campaign! We were able to raise $2.2 million thanks to YOU. Facility improvements were made at both Balsam Base and Eagle View Ranch and $800,000 went into our Scholarship Endowment Fund! We look forward to all of the lives we will be able to impact because of your generosity.
Do you shop with AmazonSmile? Choose SOAR, Inc as your charity! AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones.
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Notes from Big John This morning I was woken by my daughter giving me a hug before heading off to school. Today, you see, was a very special day in her life. Today, she drove herself to school with a newly minted license she received only yesterday tucked into her wallet. Someone asked me if I felt melancholy, and after a moment of thoughtful reflection I could definitively answer “No, not at all”. I chose instead to bask in this moment of joy and transition for her. Transitions are coming, and we can either fear them or welcome them with the opportunities they present. SOAR is in the midst of such a transition. We recently dedicated the new kitchen that was funded by dear friends of SOAR who were so deeply thankful for the impact programs here had with their son. I was delighted to hear the facility exceeded their expectations and looked “As if it was always here in the way it blends into the facility.” As we conclude our first Capital Campaign I can’t wait to have the kitchen being used to feed groups this summer and breathe life back into this campus. Balsam base has been dormant long enough, and we will emerge better equipped to serve our amazing campers. I encourage you to embrace the changes on the horizon and set a course towards success. Recently, an alumni, who is highlighted in this Newsletter, reached out to let us know how important SOAR had been in his life. “I was molded into the man I have become today: a hard worker, able to focus “1,000%”, accepting myself for having a mind that works differently, and accepting of others who have limitations or challenges.” Transitions create opportunities, and when we embrace them remarkable outcomes can be on the horizon.
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P.O. Box 388 Balsam, NC 28707 828-456-3435 Fax: 801-820-3050
www.soarnc.org
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