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Description
Eagle’s Nest is a social skills program designed for children ages 8 - 15 with Asperger’s Syndrome/High Functioning Autism.  The goals of each group are to provide socialization, learn and practice age appropriate social and sensory skills, and to increase self-advocacy.  Groups meet for two hours a week.  Each meeting consists of an hour of skill time, relaxation time and friendship.  The principal teaching methods, in a kid-friendly atmosphere, incorporate positive behavior supports, direct teaching, role playing, visual schedules and support, games, books, and videos. The goals of the group are to provide socialization, and to increase independence through direct teaching of life skills.

Parents of Eaglets and Birdwatchers meet at the same time with Sandy Dolce, AuSM Parent Advocate.  They share information on what is happening in class each session, positive behavior supports, follow-up at home, and information on financial support and other services available in the community, etc.

Eagle's Nest Boat Fundraiser

Buy a beautiful boat and help raise money for the Autism Society of MN!

Through a partnership with the Autism Society of Minnesota and Urban Boatbuilders, five teens with Asperger's Syndrome spent numerous hours this summer building this beautiful 11' skiff along with a pair of 7' spoon-bladed oars.

The skiff is made of a variety of hardwoods and finished to be durable and waterproof. It is 11 feet long, the beam is 4 feet wide and it weighs 100 lbs. White pine was used for the side planks and oars. All seats are made of fir. The bottom deck is marine grade plywood. The transom and knees are black cherry, and the keel and rub rails are white oak. Red oak was used for the cleats, and black locust for the stem. The skiff has stainless steel fastenings and quality marine enamel and tung oil finish. It's perfect for rowing, fishing or cuddling on the lake with your sweetheart!

The project required the teens to learn and practice social skills such as persistence, responsibility, teamwork and commitment. Their self-esteem and confidence increased throughout the project. The teens had a great summer, and successfully launched the skiff in August!

The Autism Society of Minnesota provides social skills programs for children with Asperger's Syndrome and High Functioning Autism through the Eagle's Nest program. Urban Boatbuilders is a youth service agency that uses wooden boatbuilding as a means to support positive youth development, academic achievement, and the development of a variety of hard and soft skills that
help young people find and keep jobs.

The sale of the skiff will help fund future sessions of Eagle's Nest, allowing more children and teens with Asperger's Syndrome and High Functioning Autism to learn social skills. For more information about these organizations, visit www.ausm.org and www.urbanboatbuilders.org.

If you are interested in purchasing the skiff, please contact Marsha at mbaer@ausm.org or at 651-647-1083 ext. 20.

Eagle’s Nest Summer 2009 Sessions

download the full brochure and registration form here (PDF)

Eagle's Nest Back-to-School

Focus on social behavior mapping (expected versus unexpected behaviors), initiating play with others, attitude in class, classroom participation, managing a planner, homework issues, self-advocacy and organizational skills.

Eaglets (ages 8 - 10 years)

August 4 - 20, 2009

1:30 - 3:30 Tuesday & Thursday **Please note time change**

Birdwatchers (ages 11 - 12 years)

August 4 - 20, 2009

4:00 - 6:00 pm Tuesday & Thursday

Cost: $200.00

Registration deadline is June 20, 2009.  Processing fee of $50 for all cancellations; no cancellations accepted after registration deadline.  Must be a current AuSM member to enroll.  A confirmation email will be sent after registration is processed.  Maximum of 6 students per session.

Eagle's Nest & Upstream Arts Day Camp

Spend time creating with your peers in an environment where you can rehearse real-life scenarios and push your creative boundaries.  We will use the arts to explore how we can express ourselves socially and how we can communicate through movement, dance, pooetry, theater and the visual arts.

Location:

Pillsbury House Community Center

3501 Chicago Ave. S

Minneapolis

Session I (ages 8 - 12 years) - Cancelled

June 15 - June 19, 2009

10:00 - 3:00

Session II (ages 12 - 15 years)

August 24 - August 28, 2009

10:00 - 3:00

An Open House will be held at Pillsbury House

Thursday, May 21, 2009

6:30 - 7:30 pm

Cost: $475.00

Registration deadline is June 8 for Session I and August 10 for Session II.  Processing fee of $100 for all cancellations; no cancellations accepted after registration deadline.  Must be a current AuSM member to enroll.  A confirmation email will be sent after registration is processed. Maximum of 12 students per session.