Executive Functions (EF) are mental processes that help to connect past experience with present action to guide goal-directed behaviour. These functions underlie activities such as planning, organizing, strategizing, paying attention to and remembering details, and managing time and space.
We all have strengths and weaknesses in our executive functions. However, when students struggle in these areas, it can result in behaviours that are often labelled as “attention seeking”, “defiant”, “showing off”, “unmotivated” or “lazy”, “emotional overreactions”, and “inflexible”, just to name a few.
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#MyYoungerSelf
Have you seen all the posts that have been part of the #MyYoungerSelf campaign? Throughout the month of May and early June, www.Childmind.org from the US has enlisted the help of famous and prominent people - celebrities, politicians, astronauts and other role model - who have had learning and attention or mental health challenges. They have recorded short videos of advice that they would give to their younger self. We applaud their efforts to break the stigma and get people talking.
Check out all of the posts here.
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Don't Delay!
We have limited spaces still available in our Day Camps and our new teen leadership camp POLARIS. Click on the images below to find out more details about each of our camp options.
For new campers, an intake process must take place before registration. To learn more about our intake process, click here.
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Check Us Out on Facebook and Instagram!
Camp Amicus has launched its own social media channels on Facebook and Instagram! On our social media pages, we are going to be sharing program information, camp updates, photos and videos from camp as well as resources about ADHD, Learning Disabilities, social skills and more! We invite you to visit our pages to like or follow us so that we can connect!
We also maintain a blog that you can follow to learn more about all our adventures throughout the summer and beyond.
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Camp Amicus Day Camp offers a unique day camp experience where children and teens with Learning Disabilities/ADHD can develop social skills while having fun and building friendships. For children/youth ages 8 – 15, campers will have opportunities to learn and practice age appropriate social skills, peer relations & problem solving. Mature, caring counsellors plan activities to ensure that campers build confidence and self-esteem, while having a great time!
Based out of Foothills Academy in Calgary, our days are spent developing social skills with direct instruction in the morning and supporting this learning through real world experiences on field trips and through choice programs.
Activities Offered: Swimming, Field Trip, Sports, Arts and Crafts, Cooking, Social Skills and More!
* Before and After Care: Before and After Care is offered for half an hour on each end of camp at no cost.
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Aug. 14 - 25
16 -
18 Year Olds
Our new teen leadership program is centred on the development of independence, post-secondary and job readiness skills. The first week of this program is spent working on group dynamics and teaching skills in preparation of a 2 night/3 day hiking trip. The goal of the hiking trip is to develop independence skills within program participants. The second week of programs is based out of Foothills Academy. Morning sessions focus on personal development and job preparedness. The afternoons are spent volunteering as a group at different facilities (i.e., the Calgary Food Bank).
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Help Us Win a $10,000 Donation this June and Help Struggling Readers
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During the month of June, we will be participating in the Great Canadian Giving Challenge. For every donation received in June, we will be entered to win a $10,000 donation. $10,000 could help at least two children significantly improve their reading and writing skills this summer through one-to-one instruction in our Read/Write program.
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Thank You for Supporting Us at the Calgary Marathon!
Thank you to everyone who supported our fundraising efforts at the Calgary Marathon this year. We had 288 registered runners and walkers and we met our goal by raising over $100,000 for our Bursary Fund to support kids with Learning Disabilities. We couldn't have done it without everyone's support.
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Additional Ongoing Programs & Services
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Foothills Academy Professional Development Workshops
Did you know that Foothills Academy Society offers professional development workshops that can be booked for your school, conference or another occasion?
Our Professional Development Workshops and Training focus on strategies and programs that have been proven successful within our school. Although our focus is assisting individuals with Learning Disabilities, the ultimate goal is to assist and support staff in meeting the diverse needs of all learners. For more information, check out all the workshops that are available.
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The Right to Read Online Workshop
Developed by psychologists and specialists in reading, the Right To Read Program helps identify and support children who have reading difficulties in their earliest school years and children whose first language is not English. Even the best students may have reading weaknesses, and this program will help to pinpoint those weaknesses in underlying phonological skills and other reading readiness skills.
Our online workshop is the perfect refresher of the developmental reading continuum. Learn how to screen your students and discover which students would benefit from more reading support and in which particular areas. A manual specifically designed with activities to support these students is included along with a guide to share with parents as well. A new session will begin in Fall 2017. Check the website for dates.
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND LINKS
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Workshops & Educational Opportunities
CADDAC online ADHD webinars
Topics include Emotional Regulation and the use of the ABC Chart, ADHD in the home, Parenting and Behavioural Strategies
and more. Webinars are $10 each or free with a CADDAC membership.
Information Resource Links
Support Groups
- ADDults Calgary Support Group: A Support group for adults in Calgary with ADHD and/or their spouses. Meets the last Wednesday of the month (excl. July & August
- Cochrane Parent Support Group - FOCUS for Attention
- ADHD Links Calgary - Jamie Gelfand (ggelfand@shaw.ca or 403-253-2988) or Katie McCumm (kmccunn@shaw.ca or 403-278-5182)
- FOCUS for Attention: May 9 and June 13 from 7 - 9 pm Free support group offered through North Central Family Support Program held at the Huntington Hills Community Centre. Registration is required. Call 403.275-6668 ext. 232. For more information, contact Lorraine at lorraine@weconnectyou.ca.
Research Studies
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Community Services| Foothills Academy Society| 403.270.9400 | info@foothillsacademy.org | www.foothillsacademy.org
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