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Bridge Center

New summer programs offered at The Bridge Center in Bridgewater, Mass.

BRIDGEWATER, MASS.

The Bridge Center, a non-profit (501)(c)( 3) recreation center that serves children with developmental, physical and emotional disabilities, recently announced its new portfolio of camp programs for Summer 2010. Camp is offered to children and adolescents aged 4-22.

That new portfolio includes:

Camp Connect – Designed for children and teens with Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, and related challenges, Camp Connect offers programming and supports designed to support social skills and thinking development and practice.  Camp Connect offers three- and six-week sessions with 2:6 counselor:camper ratios. First , six-week session begins Monday, June 28 and ends August 6; second Lite session (three weeks) begins August 9 and ends August 27.

Camp Summit – Designed for campers who struggle with behavioral control and benefit from significant behavioral supports and structures, Camp Summit provides an environment focused on success using a behavioral level system for the whole camp and individualized behavior plans as appropriate.  Camp Summit offers one- and three-week sessions with 2:6 counselor:camper ratios. First weeklong session begins June 28. The more intensive Summit session lasts three weeks and runs August 9 through August 27.

Camp Endeavor – Designed for campers with learning, intellectual, and developmental disabilities who benefit from intermittent or limited support, Camp Endeavor helps campers try new activities, meet new people, and feel successful.  Camp Endeavor offers one-week sessions throughout the summer with 1:3 or 1:2 counselor:camper ratios in order to assure that every camper has the appropriate accommodations so they may fully participate in all activities. One-week sessions start June 28 through week of August 23.

Camp Discovery – Designed for campers with intellectual and developmental disabilities who benefit from extensive or pervasive support, Camp Discovery provides campers full access to all activities with its 1:1 or 1:2 counselor:campers ratios that assure appropriate modifications are in place throughout camp.  Camp Discovery staff support campers with ADLs (activities of daily living) as needed and offers one1-week sessions throughout the summer. One-week sessions start June 28 through week of August 23.

Horse Camp – Designed for campers aged 8+ who love horses, Horse Camp offers riding center activities every morning, including one mounted riding lesson each day.  In the afternoons, campers join Camp Endeavor and participate in a variety of camp activities.  We offer four 1-week sessions of Horse Camp during the summer, typically with 1:3 counselor:camper ratios. Sessions take place the weeks of: July 6, July 19, August 2 and August 16.

“Structured recreational activities are key ingredients for children’s social, emotional and physical development,” said Jennifer Harber, executive director of The Bridge Center.  “Our specialized camps offer children maximum opportunities to grow from their summer experiences.”

For more information on The Bridge Center’s camp schedule, including fees, please visit http://www.TheBridgeCtr.org. The Bridge Center strives to achieve a “no child is turned away” policy. Financial assistance and assistance with transportation are available.

About The Bridge Center

The Bridge Center, which is the new name for Handi Kids, was founded by the Knights of Pythias in 1963. The Bridge Center’s beautiful 20-acre campus is located in Bridgewater, MA and provides accessible play and skill-building activities for all children regardless of the nature or severity of their disability. Year-round activities include nine weeks of summer camp, therapeutic horseback riding, school vacation camps, holiday parties, Saturday programs, teen programs, vocational training, after-school activities and family support groups. 

The Bridge Center also offers carefully designed summer programs and social skills groups designed to meet the social and behavioral needs of children with Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and related challenges. 

If you’d like to learn more about The Bridge Center’s programs or are interested in becoming a supporter, please call (508) 697-7557 or send an e-mail to info@TheBridgeCtr.org.

New summer programs offered at The Bridge Center in Bridgewater, Mass.Read More

Jennifer Harber tabbed as executive director of The Bridge Center

BRIDGEWATER, MASS.

The Bridge Center, a non-profit (501)(c)( 3) recreation center that serves children with developmental, physical and emotional disabilities, has recently named Jennifer Harber as its Executive Director.

As Executive Director, Harber oversees all aspects of The Bridge Center’s operations, including fundraising, program, personnel and marketing strategy. Part of that strategy included renaming and branding of The Bridge Center from its former name Handi Kids. The new name was chosen to better reflect the expansion of programs they offer to children and families throughout the South Shore and Greater Boston areas.

“The Bridge Center has so much to offer the families of the South Shore. I’m thrilled to help bring all that the Bridge Center offers to a larger audience,” said Harber. “A big part of that has been developing relationships with other South Shore non-profits.  Groups like the United Way of Plymouth County have been very receptive to what we’re working to accomplish at The Bridge Center.”

Throughout her career, Harber has developed, managed, and coordinated programs in camp, residential, and community settings.  She comes to The Bridge Center after serving as Program Director for Massachusetts General Hospital’s YouthCare program where she managed and developed camp and teen programs, and developed and implemented training and consultation services for children, classrooms and programs. 

Harber holds an undergraduate degree from Cornell University with majors in psychology and math and a Master’s in Education from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. She also earned a post-graduate certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders and will complete her MBA from Babson College in 2010. A Norwood resident, Harber likes to read, bake and snowboard in her spare time.

About The Bridge Center

The Bridge Center’s beautiful 20-acre campus is located in Bridgewater, MA and provides accessible play and skill-building activities for all children regardless of the nature or severity of their disability. Year-round activities include nine weeks of summer camp, therapeutic horseback riding, school vacation camps, holiday parties, Saturday programs, teen programs, vocational training, after-school activities and family support groups. 

The Bridge Center also offers carefully designed summer programs and social skills groups designed to meet the social and behavioral needs of children with Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and related challenges.

If you’d like to learn more about The Bridge Center’s programs or are interested in becoming a supporter, please call (508) 697-7557 or send an e-mail to info@TheBridgeCtr.org.

Jennifer Harber tabbed as executive director of The Bridge CenterRead More

New name. Same outreach to children in need. Bridgewater-based Handi Kids becomes The Bridge Center.

BRIDGEWATER, MASS.

Handi Kids, a non-profit (501)(c)( 3) recreation center that serves children with developmental, physical and emotional challenges, is pleased to announce that it will now be known as The Bridge Center (www.TheBridgeCtr.org). This new name was chosen to better reflect the expansion of programs they offer to children and families throughout the South Shore and Greater Boston areas.

Founded in 1963 by the Knights of Pythias, The Bridge Center’s mission is to support families by providing children with opportunities to build social, emotional and physical skills so they may participate fully in their communities. 

The Bridge Center’s beautiful 20-acre campus is located in Bridgewater, MA and provides accessible play and skill-building activities for all children regardless of the nature or severity of their challenge. Year-round activities include nine weeks of summer camp, therapeutic horseback riding, school vacation camps, holiday parties, Saturday programs, teen programs, vocational training, after-school activities and family support groups. 

The Bridge Center also offers carefully designed summer programs and social skills groups designed to meet the social and behavioral needs of children with Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and related challenges.

New Executive Director Jenn Harber explains:  “To those families and supporters who have long been a part of the Handi Kids family, we want you to know that you are still an integral part of who we are and what we do.  To those of you who may be hearing about us for the first time please contact us to learn more.  These are exciting times and we would love for you to join us.”

If you’d like to learn more about The Bridge Center’s programs or are interested in becoming a supporter, please call (508) 697-7557 or send an e-mail to info@TheBridgeCtr.org.

 

 

New name. Same outreach to children in need. Bridgewater-based Handi Kids becomes The Bridge Center.Read More