The third annual Camp ALEC literacy camp for students who use augmentative communication (AAC) and professionals who work serve them is set for Aug.14-20, 2016 at Indian Trails Camp near Grand Rapids, MI.  This camp provides a unique opportunity for children and adolescents who use AAC to enjoy an amazing week at camp (including flying through the trees in a harness, toilet papering Gina and Tina's cabin, starring in a music video and talent show, going to a very cool dance, and doing lots of reading and writing that kids may not have realized could be so personal, so interesting, so fun!  The camp enables professionals (teachers, SLP's, AT specialists, OT's), who have participated in one of Karen Erickson's and my week-long Level 1 literacy courses to engage in advanced work in assessment and instruction, to practice with very cool kids all week, and the get coaching from folks who care. Applications are available at the Camp ALEC website.  You can learn about what camp is like at Carol Zangari's wonderful blog,PrAACtical AAC, or by reading this adult participant's post about last summer, at the Camp ALEC Facebook page, or Jordan Carson's tv news story and video.

Hey, Michigan folks, post your independent reading and writing success stories here.  Ask questions if something is not working.  If you think what you're doing is a complete waste of time, don't quit, talk about the problems and challenges here.  If you don't believe in your kids, who will?  Remember, you're not expecting immediate readers or conventional writers.  You're building environments where kids, who historically no one has believed in, get to behave like readers and writers, and you get to observe, model, interact, encourage and learn what you need to teach them in mini-lessons or predictable chart writing, or shared reading experiences.  Here's a link to the Jan. 26 webinar handout.

Barb Wollak has updated the website with information regarding the 12th Annual Literacy Camp at Camp Friendship near Annandale, MN June 19-24.  12th?!?!  Hard to believe Karen Erickson, Barb, and I have now conducted this camp for professionals and adolescents with disabilities for 12 years now.  Camp is great opportunity for MN educators and related services providers to learn about literacy education for students with disabilities, practice what you're learning in a fun environment, and for kids with disabilities to have a fun week and go home with a report of literacy recommendations.  Hope to see you there.