Autism Empowerment

Happy New Year Autism Empowerment friends!

We are looking forward to an amazing 2012 and I will soon be writing a blog to let you know what we accomplished in 2011 as well as what we are proposing to do in 2012. 

In the interim, I want to place a request out for adult volunteers in the Vancouver / Camas, WA area who are willing to volunteer about 1 - 2 hours a week to assist boys from 7 - 12 who have sensory needs.

Autism Empowerment is currently helping to support the funding and founding of Cub Scout Pack 2 in Vancouver, WA, a Sensory Friendly Pack which serves boys in the Vancouver area in the 1st - 5th grade. This Sensory Friendly Pack is the first of its kind EVER in Vancouver and one of the only ones that we are aware of in the United States.  

Cub Scout Pack 2 is happy to accept all boys in this age range in the pack with or without sensory needs. Diagnosis (not required) includes but is not limited to those with or suspected with autism, Asperger's, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, cerebral palsy, down syndrome.

We are looking for adult volunteers that have experience with children with sensory needs and/or adults that have Scouting experience that can meet on Thursdays from 6 - 7 p.m. and occasional Saturdays. We are in the process of getting chartered and are looking for Den Leaders, Assistant Den Leaders, Committee members and adult mentors. Please contact John Krejcha at autismandscouting@gmail.com or Deanna Pehrson at cubscoutpack2@hotmail.com.

Space for the meetings has been generously donated by River Rock Church. Weekly meetings will take place on Thursdays starting on January 5th, 2012 at River Rock Church, 709 NE 136th Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98684 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

In order to volunteer, you will be required to go through free online Youth Protection Training which takes about a half hour to do.

We need volunteers as soon as possible. We are also actively accepting new Cub Scouts in the 1st - 5th grade. 

Thank you for your consideration!  Please feel free to forward this along to anyone you know who might be interested in volunteering, scouting or financially supporting the pack. 

Karen Krejcha, Executive Director