Social Hangout
RCOC Vendor: pm6237
About Building Futures and Friends Social Hangout
Overview:
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Established: 2018 (Starting 7th year in 2024)
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Original Name: myFAVE camp
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New Name: Building Futures and Friends (as of 2023)
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Founders: A dedicated parent and Nicole Fusaro, a special education teacher with 29+ years of experience.
History: Building Futures and Friends Camps was created out of necessity and love by a parent seeking a suitable summer camp for her son with special needs. Collaborating with Nicole Fusaro, they established a camp that initially focused on children with special needs to help promote vital life skills. Over the years, the camp has evolved into a full inclusion camp, welcoming both typical peers, siblings, neighborhood friends, and those with special needs.
Purpose: The camp aims to foster social skills, independence, money management, cooking skills, age-appropriate social outings, and positive peer relationships in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Key Features:
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Inclusive Environment: Welcomes both typical peers and those with special needs.
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Low Staff-to-Camper Ratio: 1:4 ratio ensures personalized attention.
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Experienced Staff: Staff with experience in working with both typical and special needs students.
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Volunteer Support: Numerous volunteers help with fostering peer relationships and social skills.
Camp Activities:
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Social skills
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Cooking classes
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Money management activities
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Age-appropriate social outings
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Peer relationship building
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Inclusive play and activities
Why Choose Us? Peers come to Building Futures and Friends because they genuinely enjoy the inclusive and supportive environment, making it a natural and joyful place for all children to grow, learn, and build friendships.
Contact Us: For more information, registration details, or any other inquiries, please contact us at Nicole@futuresandfriends.org
Join us at Building Futures and Friends for a summer of growth, friendship, and unforgettable experiences!
Nicole Fusaro
Camp Owner/Director/CEO
With over 29 years of dedicated experience in special education, Nicole has cultivated a rich career focused on supporting and advocating for children with diverse learning needs. She began her academic journey at Seton Hall University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Driven by a passion for education, she went on to obtain two Master's degrees: one in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix, and another in Special Education from the University of Arizona.
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Nicole holds credentials that qualify her to teach a wide range of students, from those with mild to severe disabilities to early childhood education and children with Autism. She is extensively trained in TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication Handicapped Children) and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), methodologies that enhance her effectiveness in the classroom.
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Fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), Nicole has a unique ability to connect with and teach deaf students. She previously taught at the Phoenix School for the Deaf, enriching her practice with a deep understanding of ASL and Deaf culture. Her career journey took her from Arizona to California, where she spent 18 rewarding years teaching in the Newport Mesa School District.
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Currently, Nicole channels her expertise and passion into her non-profit organization, which serves as a crucial resource for families with children who have special needs. In addition to her advocacy work, she continues to impart her knowledge by teaching ASL classes, empowering more individuals to communicate effectively with the Deaf community.
Nicole's lifelong dedication to special education and her continuous efforts to support and empower families and children underscore her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the world of education.