Evening Under the Stars supports day camp

An Evening Under the Stars on July 10 will help support KidsClub day camp and other programs at Arkansas Support Network.

KidsClub provides an opportunity for children with disabilities to experience summer day camp and the activities that go with it. The camp operates at four sites, with 10 to 15 campers ages 10 to 17 at each site, at the Donald W. Reynolds Fayetteville Boys and Girls Club, The Jones Center in Springdale, the Boys and Girls Club of Western Benton County in Siloam Springs and the Rogers Activity Center.

Having the program at these sites is beneficial to KidsClub participants, says Keith Vire, Arkansas Support Network executive director. "Our goal for those kids is to be included with typical kids their own age. We want our kids to be part of everything else that's going on." Vire says the group also employs high school age (16 or older) interns, who are close to the age of campers.

Camp activities include swimming, bowling and several field trips, among them visiting Eureka Pizza and learning about making pizzas, the Wild Wilderness Drive-Thru Safari in Gentry, picnics and cookouts.

Vire says the nonprofit organization was awarded a grant recently that allowed ASN to increase staff salaries for site supervisors experienced with children with autism. He says that additional training helps give parents confidence in registering their children in the program.

The benefit at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks in Fayetteville will include heavy hors d'oeuvres and live and silent auctions. A VIP reception at 6 p.m. will feature Maxine's Tap Room, special hors d'oeuvres and a private garden tour.

-- CARIN SCHOPPMEYER

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NAN Our Town on 07/02/2015