March 2021
Donors & Granters - RMGS, Inc.
Generous corporate sponsors help provide the crucial funds necessary for FACT to hold social and recreational programs where children with autism develop and grow their social and communication skills and become more integrated within our community. This year, RMGS, Inc. became the newest corporate donor to make a huge difference in the lives of the FACT community. RMGS is a government contractor based in Virginia Beach and a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business.

Phill Primeaux works for RMGS and nominated FACT to receive a generous gift from the corporation. Phill has a strong personal connection to FACT’s mission and previously volunteered his time at our Trunk-or-Treat event where he decorated his vehicle and passed out candy to the FACT families via an innovative pulley system which minimized person to person contact. Most corporate donations FACT receives come from amazing individuals like Phill who nominate FACT to receive donations from their work. FACT is so appreciative of the generosity and support of Phill and RMGS! 

If you or anyone you know is interested in nominating FACT to receive a donation from your work, contact us at info@camp4autism.com or call us at 757-422-2040.
Mover & Shaker - Jessie Pitts
FACT programs would not be what they are without our wonderful and dedicated part-time staff. FACT relies on many local educators and individuals working within the school system to fill these roles. These individuals have experience with children with autism and understand the needs of the unique individuals who come to our programs. Jessie Pitts is one of those dedicated individuals who has been working for FACT for 14 years.

Mr. Jessie, as our kids like to call him, started working at Camp Gonnawannagoagin’ back in 2007. He has dedicated weeknights, weekends, and his days off during the summer to entertaining and mentoring the individuals with autism FACT serves. Mr. Jessie always brings his smile and positive attitude (not to mention his great DJ sound system) to the various programs he runs throughout the year. Mr. Jessie is so well love by our individuals with autism we usually get at least one call a week at the office asking to speak to him. Not only is Mr. Jessie an amazing leader at FACT, but he also excels at his day job and won Teacher’s Assistant of the Year at his school this year. FACT could not be more proud to have such a dedicated and awesome leader in Mr. Jessie!
Gotta Love this Kid - Micaiah Wilson Jr.
Micaiah and his family are some of the newest members of the FACT community. At 7 years old, Micaiah is one of our youngest participants. Micaiah’s parents were looking for a social outlet for Micaiah this past summer after the social isolation created by virtual school, the lockdown, and being at home all the time. Camp Gonnawannagoagin’ was just the social outlet Micaiah needed. Micaiah got to meet new friends and socialize with his peers in a safe and fun environment. He got to go fishing, tubing on the lake, play sports, create art, learn about science, swim, and have adventures with his peers. Micaiah's parents are happy he found a safe and accepting environment where he is allowed to be himself.

Micaiah has continued to attend FACT's year-round programs and just finished his first season of basketball. We at FACT are so happy Micaiah has become part of our community and we can't wait to see his growth and giant smile at FACT's programs in the future.
Upcoming Programs and Events
Spring Programs are LIVE!

FACT's Spring Programs are live on our Active Registration! This Spring we are once again offering our FREE GonnawannaWALK&TALKagin' program! Check out where we will be hiking each Wednesday and come out for whichever ones work best for you here. Call us at 757-422-2040 or email us at info@camp4autism.com if you are interested in more details on our programs.

Leisure Programs:
Camping [NEW PROGRAM]- This is a brand new program focused on teaching camping and outdoor skills including how to put up a tent, building a fire, etc. This program is scheduled to run for eight weeks at Friends School with an optional camping trip with FACT afterwards somewhere in the area (this optional camping trip will not be included in the price of the program and at least one parent or chaperone will be required to attend). Thursday, Mar. 4th to Apr. 29th, eight weeks at Friends School from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Optional Camping Trip is TBD.
Karaoke Club - Karaoke was so much fun this winter we are bringing it back for Spring! Tuesday, Mar. 2nd to Apr. 27th, eight weeks at Friends School gym from 6:00-7:30 p.m.
GonnawannaWALK&TALKagin' - FACT is bringing back our FREE hiking program this Spring. Wednesday, Mar. 3rd to Apr. 28th, eight weeks at various locations in the area from 4:00-5:00 p.m. Click here or more details.

Sports Programs:
Soccer - Saturday, Mar. 6th to May 1st, eight weeks at Friends School gym. Sessions offered at 9:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Open Sports Clinic - This is our new once a month program we are starting at Friends School gym. This program will be an open gym concept with various sports activities and fun games in a safe, socially distanced environment. These programs will generally be held on Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Come drop off your child or young adult with autism for three hours and enjoy a date night or just some relaxation time. The dates for the next three open sports clinics are March 13th, April 17th, and May 15th.

Unfortunately, because of the ongoing pandemic, we have decided to cancel Spring Break Camp this year. Sadly it is not feasible at this time given limitations due to COVID-19 to hold Spring Break Camp and we are shifting our attention to making sure Camp Gonnawannagoagin' will be safe and as fun as ever this summer. We appreciate you adapting with us during these trying times.
Autism Research Opportunities
The University of Notre Dame Center for Children and Families is offering a virtual program through their center that may be of interest to you and your family. The program is called Supporting Parent-Adolescent Relationships and Communication (SPARC, for short).

The following is a message from one of the individuals running the program:

"We know that parents and typically developing siblings of kids with disabilities face additional stress and conflict, but there are very few research-based programs to support them. With that in mind, the SPARC program was developed to help parents and typically developing siblings improve communication and increase conflict resolution, which can reduce stress and strengthen relationships in the whole family. 

We are looking for families who have at least one child with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) of any age and one child without a disability who is between the ages of 10 and 18. Families participate by answering survey questions online, doing activities as a family via video conferencing with our team, and receive research-based information to review on their own. Plus, families can earn up to $370 over the course of a year for being involved."

See below for more information.