Friday Knights II Recreation and Family Support Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders or Difficulties in Relating
Participants: Children and youth-ages 4-19
Parent group meets at the same time (facilitated by Monique Clement)
Time: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Fridays
Location: Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN), 250 Victory Lane, Conway, SC 29526
Phone: (843) 347-3010
Dates: Download the Child Application below for the fall 2012 & 2013 schedule
Cost: Free!
Program Description
• Friday Knights began in upstate NY in 2005. It grew from 30 children to its most recent…200! We are launching its sister program, Friday Knights II, in Horry County. We too are starting out small, but have a big vision!
• The Recreation Program is a structured and supportive recreational environment for children and adolescents who need opportunities for social interaction beyond what is available through school settings or community recreation programs.
• The participants include children and adolescents who have difficulties relating to their peers and may need extra support or more opportunities to use the skills they have learned in social skills groups. Children with autism spectrum disorders or other social challenges are welcome in the program. In addition, siblings and peers without difficulties in social relating are invited to join us and to enjoy the activities while serving as role models.
• Paid staff and volunteers from various professional and community organizations within Horry County are the counselors, activity leaders, and adult supports. Program staff are on site to provide guidance and supervision.
• Activities may vary by the age of the group but possibilities include structured board games, Wii games, movement, drama, yoga, history, science, music and arts and crafts.
• Parent meetings with special topics and speakers occur concurrent with the children’s program. Participation in the parent group is free of charge to parents and family members.
• Childcare is available to children under 4 who are not yet eligible to participate in the recreation program.
• Contact Shannon Peterson at shannonpeterson84@gmail.com or Sarah Pope at sosed@sc.rr.com for further information regarding the Friday Knights II Recreation Program, or to request an application.
ACTIVITY #1 (If you finish this activity, move to ACTIVITY #2)
Science
Group A
Oobleck
Materials:
Bartholomew and the Oobleck, Dr. Seuss
Corn Starch – 3 Boxes
Food Coloring or Paint
Water
Mixing Bowls
Measuring Cups
Smocks
Gloves
Table Cloth
Process:
1. Read the story Bartholomew and the Oobleck, by Dr. Seuss. Talk about the oobleck in the story, and tell the kids that they will be making their own oobleck tonight!
2. Mix 1 part water to 2 parts corn starch, and add in food coloring or paint as necessary. Kids can make one batch as a group and counselors encourage social skills in working on making the ingredients as a group. Ensure that the kids play with the oobleck on the table, as it gets messy (liquid when picked up and solid on the table). Have them talk about what they are doing with their oobleck and what they can make with it to their friends.
*Watch for latex allergies*
ACTIVITY #2
Science
Group A
Discovery Bag
Materials:
Plastic Baggies
Duct Tape
Cheap Hair Gel – lots of it!
Sequins, glitter, goodies to put inside the discovery bags
Table Cloth
Process:
Have the kids choose items to go inside their discovery bags. Once they have chosen items, have them place these in their plastic baggie, and staff will help to pour hair gel into the bags and seal them (with tape as well). Have the kids lay the bags on the table and spread the items throughout their bags to “discover” what they have put in their bags. This is a great sensory activity (squishy, cool to the touch, tactile, etc.)
ACTIVITY #1 (If you finish this activity, move to ACTIVITY #2)
Art
Group B
Marble Painting
Materials:
File Folders
Paint
Quart Size Zip log brand bags
Duct Tape
Baby Oil
Table cloths
Gloves
Process:
1. Have the kids decorate the outside front and back of their file folder with markers, stickers, etc.
2. Help them to add baby oil and a choice of 2 colors of paint in about a 1:1 ratio.
3. Have glitter available if they would like to add glitter.
4. Gently let as much air out as possible, then seal up the bag very well. Use packaging tape/duct tape along the top of the bag to seal it up completely.
5. Tape the bag inside the file folder to secure further.
6. Allow the kids to play with their marble painting bags by using their fingers to push the paint around to mix the colors and glitter.
ACTIVITY #2
Science (Same room)
Group B
Lava Lamp
Materials:
Small Plastic Water Bottles
Cooking Oil
Water
Cup/Measuring Cup
Food Coloring
Alka Seltzer Tablets
Table Cloth
Funnels
Process:
1. Talk to the kids about density and how water and oil separate due to their weight and differences in makeup/characteristics
2. Tell the kids that they are going to make “lava lamps” and give each kid a small water bottle
3. Have each child pour ¼ water into the bottle, and fill the rest with oil
4. Once all kids have filled their bottles with liquids, ask for predictions as to what will happen when they add the food coloring. Have each child add a choice color of food coloring (about 5-6 drops). Note the reaction – none
5. Ask the kids for predictions once the alka seltzer will be added. Add the alka seltzer tabs to each bottle, and note the reaction – fizzing, color and bubbles
6. Talk to the kids about the reaction – fizz from alka seltzer pushes color bubbles up and down
7. Make sure the tops are on the bottles and names before the kids take them home
Art
High School
Restaurant Invitations/Menus
Materials:
Cardstock
Pencils/Markers
Decorations – Stamps, Lace, etc.
Process:
1. The kids have brainstormed a name for their restaurant as a group and have been practicing being waiters and waitresses at a restaurant
2. Have the kids make invitations to their restaurant where they will serve the parents homemade pizza and salad (unless they want to make something else), and maybe a dessert? On either the 4/20 session or the 5/4 session. They can design the invitations, but they should include the name of their restaurant, the time (7:15), the date (TBA on 3/30), and any other pertinent information.
3. They should also design the menu for their restaurant (keep it simple, they only have 1 hour to prepare the food and the restaurant!) The menu should include the name of the restaurant, the food being served, and any other pertinent information. If they would like to include prices for fun, they can . This would help them to think about the value of money…
4. They do not have to make too many multiples of each, as we will make copies for the parents, but they are encouraged to participate by making their own unique invitations and menus. Just make sure the information matches, and that is something that they can work on as a group as far as communicating among each other.
Special Activity
Group C
Focus: Employment
Making Dessert – Restaurant
Ultimate Goal – Serve parents as waiters/waitresses in a few weeks at a “pizza restaurant”
Materials:
1/2 cup butter, softened (Shannon has)
4 cups powdered sugar
3-4 tablespoons light cream
1 teaspoon vanilla (Shannon has)
pinch salt
1/2 cup peanut butter, if desired (Shannon has)
graham crackers
Gloves
Plates
Napkins
Dish soap/sponge to clean the area
Paper and Pen
Process:
1. The counselors will talk to the kids about working in a restaurant or having another job or responsibility (walking a dog, babysitting, junior counselor, etc.) and the responsibility that comes with this. In a restaurant they have to remain clean (gloves), work together, follow directions, be a leader/independent, be social with others, know what the expectations are, etc.
2. Today they kids will prepare a dessert.
3. After their dessert is ready, they will practice taking each others’ orders at the table to give it out to each other (counselors help out with being at a restaurant and greeting, seating, drink orders, food orders, etiquette, etc.). Use paper and pen if needed to write down orders.
4. Counselors and kids will decide on roles for the kids for the night that they have their restaurant. They will need a greeter to greet the parents as they walk in the door, waiters/waitresses, bussers, manager, and any other pertinent roles. Kids can have more than one role.
Download Staff Application
