NDSS Athlete Team to Run 250+ Miles for Down Syndrome Advocacy

The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome, proudly announces its official Athlete Team and Run Route for the Run for 3.21, a 250+ mile run from Washington D.C. to New York City. The run will serve as a major fundraiser for NDSS in 2018 and recognition of World Down Syndrome Day on March 21.

The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome, proudly announces its official Athlete Team and Run Route for the Run for 3.21, a 250+ mile run from Washington D.C. to New York City. The run will serve as a major fundraiser for NDSS in 2018 and recognition of World Down Syndrome Day on March 21.

This multi-day adventure kicks off at 6:00 a.m. on March 19 and travels from the steps of the nation's capitol, arriving at United Nations at 10:00 a.m. on March 21. Runners will be in motion for more than 50 hours to complete the course, which winds its way through rolling countryside, quaint downtowns and the heart of D.C., Wilmington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Princeton and New York.

The National Down Syndrome Society is a human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome. NDSS provides state-ofthe-art, comprehensive programming to all individuals with Down syndrome and their families with four main areas of programming which include: the National Advocacy & Policy Center, the Inclusive Health and Sports Programs, including the National Buddy Walk ® Program, Community Outreach and Resources and Public Awareness.

CALLING ALL INNOVATORS FOR THE "CAREGIVERS SHARK TANK"

The National Caregivers Conference is inviting innovators, inventors, researchers and thought leaders to share their new ideas, products, technology's, or therapeutic concepts that aim to transform the health and role of family caregivers.

The National Caregivers Conference is returning to New Jersey since Superstorm Sandy forced its cancellation in October 2012. This annual conference is renowned for its National level speakers, workshops and exhibitors who address both individual and national issues facing the caregiver community. The 2018 National Caregivers Conference, "Health, Technology, and the Family Caregiver", will bring innovative solutions to the increasing demand on the 40 million family caregivers across the nation while showcasing exciting projects that use technology to improve the health and quality of life of caregivers and their loved ones.

We are aware that innovators throughout the nation are developing new programs and products that aim to empower and positively impact activities of daily living for people with the greatest health needs and their caregivers. The Caregivers Shark Tank will present a platform to share these ideas with the "Sharks" who have the capacity to bring new models to the forefront of caregiving practice.

All finalists will be invited to present their new ideas, products, technology's, or therapeutic concepts at the National Caregivers Conference on October 11, 2018 in front of the panel of judges (Sharks), venture capitalists, leading industry investors, healthcare providers and caregivers.

The deadline for submitting an application to the Caregivers Shark Tank is April 30, 2018. For more information on the National Caregivers Conference and to submit an application to the Caregivers Shark Tank please visit nationalcaregiversconference.org

For over 40 years, we have helped thousands of New Jersey families with a variety of disabilities connect with resources and support services they need to live full and happy lives. The Family Resource Network (FRN) is a comprehensive, family-focused, organization designed to meet the growing need for community-based programs and services to this rising population. FRN's network agencies are: Autism Family Services of NJ, Caregivers of NJ, Epilepsy Foundation of NJ and the Family Support Center of NJ. Please visit familyresourcenetwork.org for more information or call (800) 376-2345.

INNOVATION IS EVERYWHERE: The National Caregivers Conference is inviting innovators, inventors, researchers and thought leaders to share their new ideas, products, technologies, or therapeutic concepts that aim to transform the health and role of family caregivers.

PA Summer Camp Hosts 100 Grieving Boys & Girls

WHAT: This summer, August 13 - 18, at Camps Equinunk and Blue Ridge in Equinunk, PA, boys and girls will come together to spend a week at "Experience Camp." Experience Camps provide free, oneweek camps for children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or primary caregiver. Along with swimming, arts and crafts, and team sports, the kids take part in bereavement activities including sharing circles where they are encouraged to talk about their grief.

Currently accepting referrals and applications for boys entering grades 4-11 and girls entering grades 4-9 in the 18/19 school year. WHY: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 1.5 million children are living in a single-family household because of the death of one parent.

Grieving children are at higher risk than their non-grieving peers for depression, anxiety, poor school attendance or dropping out, isolation, behavior problems, lowered academic achievement, drug and/or alcohol abuse, incarceration or suicide. Experience Camps Help.

WHEN: August 13 - 18, 2018 WHERE: Camps Equinunk and Blue Ridge in Equinunk, PA. Experience Camps help grieving children feel "normal" and supported through friendship, teamwork, camp activities, and the common bond of loss. It is a safe environment where kids can explore their grief, break the isolation they may feel with their non-camp peers, and have a whole lot of fun. They have the opportunity to meet and connect with kids who are going through similar challenges, while getting all of the benefits of the traditional summer camp experience. In 2018, Experience Camps will have more than 500 campers at camps in Maine, California, Georgia, and New York. For more information about Experience Camps, visit experience.camp

THE KAUFMAN MUSIC CENTER'S SUMMER MUSICAL THEATER WORKSHOP

At Kaufman Music Center's five-week Summer Musical Theater Workshop, kids participate in all aspects of producing a show, which culminates in a full-scale production in Merkin Concert Hall. Professional theater directors, writers and composers work with groups of kids age 5-15 on seven brand new, original musicals inspired by a theme.

The children, who represent a diverse and enthusiastic group of NYC's youngest theater fans, will star in the musicals in three performances at Kaufman Music Center's Merkin Concert Hall. Broadway theater is a powerful educational tool. Musical theater can be a potent form of expression because it combines so many elements – visual, music, dance and song. It's a way of telling a story and captivating for children. It is important for children to be acquainted with a vibrant part of their heritage, and also to inspire them to participate in an art form they themselves can be part of, by acting, singing, dancing or writing. It is important for children to get away from their computers and video games and see live theater, he emphasizes. Introducing children to the arts is especially cru cial at a time when education is increasingly narrowed down to testable functions. Theater gets kids interested and helps them understand life in a different way than, say, learning math and reading skills. Kids can be literate, but their imaginations can be starving.

ON WITH THE SHOW: "Spaceballs" (Above left) and "The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy" (Above right) were performed as part of "Far Out: 7 Original Science Fiction Musicals" on Aug 1, 2017 during the 2017 Summer Musical Theater Workshop at the Lucy Moses School at Kaufman Music Center. Campers work together with small groups based on their current grade. In the morning they take classes in acting, singing and movement. During the afternoon each group works with its director and interns to create its own musical play.

The 2018 Summer Musical Theater Workshop at Kaufman Music Center's Lucy Moses School runs from July 2 through August 2, 2018, Mon-Thu, 10 am-4 pm. Final performances in Merkin Concert Hall: Tue, July 31, 6:30 pm & Wed, Aug 1, 10:30 am & 6:30 pm. – Sean Hartley, Summer Musical Theater Workshop and Broadway Playhouse