Autistic Angels - Center Ridge Outpost

News Articles

TEAAM begins work on Center Ridge Outpost

Image 1 of 2

CENTER RIDGE OUTPOST-The corner of Highway 37 and SCR 80 at Center Ridge has undergone an awesome change. This is the before picture. As the result of dirtwork in preparation of the construction of the Center Ridge Outpost, a camp for autistic children. The camp will include lakes for swimming and fishing, horseback riding, camping, hiking trails, and an area for games. The base of operations for Together Enhancing Autism Awareness Mississippi, (TEAAM) a non-profit organization founded by Dr. Mark Yeager, Director, will also be housed on the site.

Smith County Citizens traveling Highway 37 between Taylorsville and Raleigh might have noticed some development work going on in the Center Ridge Community. The project is an exciting new and unique camp, The Center Ridge Outpost. TEAAM (Together Enhancing Autism Awareness in Mississippi) has broken ground on this project. The Outpost will be the home for TEAAM and its ‘one- of-a-kind’ inclusive adventure-based programs for individuals with and autism spectrum disorder and other related developmental disabilities. TEAAM’s programs are like none other in the United States. Emphasizing such activities as camping, hiking, wildlife and forestry management, confidence building, social skills training and just plain ole outdoor fun. All of the programs are conducted with an inclusive group of individuals with and without autism. Programs will include summer groups, weekend retreats, and seasonal events.

The Outpost will have a variety of facilities that include: Treehouse Villages, bunkhouses, support building, primitive camping sites, RV sites, an activity pavilion and a large activity field. Future plans include a multi-purpose building and a zero-entry swimming pool. Hiking and horseback trails will be developed as well as food plots for wildlife enhancement projects. Once the Outpost is complete it will have the capacity to host up to 150 individuals. It will include both lodging and dining services, all in a rustic environment that will provide an escape from daily hassles.

“TEAAM needs your help to make the Center Ridge Outpost a reality.” Dr. Mark Yeager, TEAAM’s Executive Director says, “We want the Smith County community to pull together to help us make this program possible. It is a wonderful opportunity for Smith County to have something that does not exist anywhere else in the United States. We can’t do this without a lot of help from the people, businesses and friends of Smith County and surrounding areas. We need everything from equipment to building materials to volunteers to help construct the Outpost.”

In addition to the programs that focus on individuals with autism, the Center Ridge Outpost will also provide opportunities for the young people without disabilities from the surrounding areas to volunteer and even have summer jobs. The programs will draw students from universities and colleges that wish to learn about autism. In addition to this, the facilities will be available for bookings for family reunions, birthday parties and events, church groups, business meetings and trainings during times that no autism camps are being held.

TEAAM has conducted a summer camp program known as Kamp Kaleidoscope for the past eight years. This program is very popular and hosts 140 campers each summer.

The camp draws about 100 volunteers each summer and has had counselors from 6 different countries come to learn about autism. Yeager further states, “we are currently limited to the number of campers we can host. Each summer we have 50+ camper applications that must go on a waiting list. The Outpost will allow us to serve more campers all summer long and on many weekends throughout the year.”

Autism spectrum disorders currently effect 1 in every 110 children and presents a devastating set of challenges to families. Recognized as a neuro-developmental disability, individuals with autism spectrum disorders require a very specific set of programming strategies to assist them toward success. Most children are not allowed to participate in many traditional camp programs and many require intensive supervision. “Children and adults with autism can achieve amazing things if they are understood and supported. The Center Ridge Outpost will be a place where their uniqueness will be celebrated and they will be allowed to express themselves without being judged,” Yeager says about the programs plans at the Outpost.

If you would like to make contributions to assist in the construction of The Center Ridge Outpost you can contact TEAAM at 601-733-0090. You can also find out about TEAAM and The Center Ridge Outpost at www.TEAAM.org and www.AutismCamps.org. TEAAM has prepared a “wish list” that is available. Dr. Suzie Lassiter, Board Chair of TEAAM and a new resident of Smith County stated, “We need the community’s help. We feel confident that the good people of Smith County will help us get the Outpost built. As a community we have an opportunity to help a wonderful group of individuals that, by no choice of their own, are often not able to help themselves. They desperately need our help.”

TEAAM Announces Plans to Build Adventure Base Camp for Autism Programs

TEAAM is about to take a huge step toward one of its long time dreams, building a site dedicated to conducting our camps and adventure-based programs. The site will be called The Center Ridge Outpost and it will be located in Center Ridge, Mississippi located in Smith County. This site’s location will place it central to all Mississippians. Though adventurers and campers will come from all over the United States to participate in this one of a kind program, TEAAM’s focus remains clearly set on supporting Mississippians and their families.

The Center Ridge Outpost will help fulﬁll the overall mission of TEAAM by providing inclusive adventure-based programs that provide supports for individuals on the autism spectrum, their friends and their families. These programs will provide fun, socialization, and respite in a safe, accepting and understanding environment. The programs that will be oﬀered through The Center Ridge Outpost are a one-of-a-kind program concept for individuals on the autism spectrum. Nowhere else in the United States are there programs with the same unique design and success of our programs.

The services that will be provided through The Center Ridge Outpost represent a unique approach to providing needed services while creating new opportunities for individuals with and without autism spectrum disorders and related developmental disabilities. As mentioned, The CRO Base Camp will be located in the rural setting of Center Ridge in Smith County, Mississippi. This setting will give the program many advantages that may go unnoticed by the typical observer. The location will provide the rustic, rural setting that makes these types of programs work in the manner they are designed. All programs and events will be supervised under individuals trained by Dr. Mark H. Yeager. This will include TEAAM staﬀ as well as high school and university student volunteers. Our staﬀ to camper/adventurer ratio will typically be maintained no less than 1 to 2. In some programs a higher ratio will be used due to skill level of the campers/adventurers. Featured programs will include:

SUMMER PROGRAMS

KAMP KALEIDOSCOPE ~Summer Camp sessions for youth on the autism spectrum and their neuro-typical peers ages 7 to 17. Designed to meet the challenging needs of this group while having camp fun.

CAMP WALAPEI ~Summer Camp sessions for adults on the autism spectrum, ages 18 and up. Designed to be fun in an age appropriate environment. All campers have a mentor work with them during their camp sessions.

BOTH PROGRAMS WILL INVOLVE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SWIMMING, HIKING, CRAFTS, SPORTS, MUSIC, FISHING, CAMPING, DANCING, AND A LIST OF OTHER ACTIVITIES SPECIFIC TO THE PARTICULAR SESSION.

WEEKEND PROGRAMS

ARAY (Adventures in Recreation for All Youth) ~Weekend, theme-driven retreats aimed at introducing Adventurers to new skills and friends. Designed for all ages up to 18 years of age, each session is tailored with an interest and age group in mind. Adventurers are grouped by age and interest.

ADVENTURES WITHOUT BOUNDARIES ~Weekend, theme-driven retreats that are much like the ARAY programs except with an adult ﬂair. Designed for ages 18 and up, each session is developed to not only address areas of interest but to facilitate new interests.

IN SOME CASES THE PROGRAMS WILL BE OUTWARDBOUND IN DESIGN. THIS MEANS THE ADVENTURERS WILL LEAVE CRO TO GO ON AN ADVENTURE IN THE COMMUNITY. ALL PROGRAMS FOCUS ON SOCIALIZATION FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING PERSPECTIVE.

FAMILY TRAINING RETREATS ~These programs will provide much needed training and planning for parents who have a newly diagnosed child.

The Center Ridge Outpost will host many features. The planned facilities include:

Multi-Purpose Pavilion
~Central to The Center Ridge Outpost will be the Multi-Purpose Pavilion. This building will serve as THE HEART OF ALL PROGRAMS. Everything from movies to dances, stage plays to talent performances, the Pavilion will serve as the heart of CRO. The Pavilion will also be where the Outpost Country Store, the nurse’s station and the Outpost Oﬃces will be located.

The spectacular Outpost Entry will set the tone for the fun and adventure ahead.

Mess Hall
~Though it will be playfully referred to as the Mess Hall, the CRO dining facility will be very popular with all campers and adventurers. By providing meals in a rustic setting, it will be far from a mess. MEALS HERE WILL NOT JUST BE YOUR REGULAR CAMP FOOD! Also housed in the Mess Hall will be the bunkhouse for CRO staﬀ.

Activity Center
~The busiest place on the Outpost will be the Activity Center. Here you will ﬁnd the Arts & Crafts area as well as an open-air pavilion for special activities. Many activities will be conducted here, often simultaneously.

Travel through the Activity Center and you will ﬁnd the Center Ridge Outposts "CONCRETEPOND", A POOL THAT IS LIKE NO OTHER, with a sprinkler tower at its entrance, campers and adventurers will forge forward to the zero-edge entry pool. Once in the pool all will enjoy a comfortable and safe water depth for games and activities.

Bunk Houses
~No day would be complete at the Outpost without a comfortable bunk to lay down your head and DREAM THOSE AMAZING DREAMS that only a night in the great outdoors brings. CRO’s Bunk Houses will be furnished with bunk beds and a personal locker. Each Bunk House will sleep 16 people and will be complete with private toilet and shower/bathing areas. For each of the 4 Bunk Houses, a Staﬀ Bunk-room will be provided for additional supervision of campers and adventurers.

Campfire Plaza
~Just outside the Bunk Houses, each camper and adventurer will have direct access to the Campﬁre Plaza. No outdoor experience is complete without a campﬁre. The fun and laughter will never stop as CRO staﬀ and counselors will get everyone involved in the excitement of CAMPFIRE SONGS, STORIES AND SKITS.

Pathways
~All buildings and activity areas in the main area of The Center Ridge Outpost will be connected with LEVEL CONCRETE PATHWAYS to provide a safe and accessible environment for all.

Other Areas Planned at The Center Ridge Outpost:

Nature trails
Equestrian trails
Wildlife food plots
Archery range
Hiking trails
Primitive camping sites
Fishing lake
Bird nesting sites
Horseshoe ring
Astromony viewing area
Camper slips
Challenge courses
Insect emporium
Reptile study area
Fork lore center

TEAAM’s Adventure-Based Program Field Guide

TEAAM’s programmatic focus is to develop and conduct Adventure-Based program opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum and related developmental disabilities of all ages. These programs are designed to provide opportunities that otherwise are not available in the appropriate environment along with their neuro-typical peers. Each program provides experiences that are not only fun but also an opportunity for social learning, engaging a new experience and making friends.

TEAAM makes every attempt to offer these programs at a minimal cost to families. In order to do this your help is needed. TEAAM, as a non-profit organization, conducts numerous fund raising events to help families. Tax deductible monetary donations, both individual and corporate, are most welcomed. TEAAM also welcomes in-kind donations. In order for programs to be conducted in both a fun and safe environment TEAAM includes many volunteers to provide extensive supervision for all participants. This means that funding is needed not just for the participant but for their counselor as well. For in-kind donations, visit our “wish list” for ideas.

A place for those with autism to have fun

July 25, 2010

A place for those with autism to have fun

Center Ridge Outpost will be located in Smith Co.

Anonymous Laurel Leader-Call The Laurel Leader-Call Sun Jul 25, 2010, 11:30 AM CDT

LAUREL — A group of concerned medical professionals and parents of individuals with autism are working to build a “one-of-a-kind” inclusive adventure-based program for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other related developmental disabilities.

Together Enhancing Autism Awareness in Mississippi, better known as TEAAM, is seeking to construct a new and exciting camp in the Center Ridge Community of Smith County. The group has already broken ground for the camp that will be located off Highway 37 between Taylorsville and Raleigh.

“We’re calling it Center Ridge Outpost,” explained Dr. Mark Yeager, TEAAM’s executive director. “In western movies, the outpost was the place people came in to kick off their boots and have fun.

“We want Center Ridge to be a place where people can relax and have fun,” explained Yeager. “We’ll provide inclusive adventure-based programs that provide support for individuals on the autism spectrum, as well as their families and friends.”

Autism spectrum disorders currently effect 1 in every 110 children and presents a devastating set of challenges to families. Recognized as a neuro-developmental disability, individuals with autism spectrum disorders require a very specific set of programming strategies to assist them toward success.

Yeager noted that most children are not allowed to participate in many traditional camp programs and many require intensive supervision.

CRO will give these children and their families an opportunity to experience camp. “The programs offered will provide fun, socialization, and respite in a safe, accepting and understanding environment,” said Yeager.

In addition to providing programs for those with autism, CRO will allow young people who do not have the illness an opportunity to volunteer and perhaps apply for summer jobs.

“The program will draw students from universities and colleges from across the country, as well as foreign countries,” said Yeager. “We host Kamp Kaleidoscope each summer and we have camp counselors coming in from everywhere.”

For the past four years, the 8-year-old camp located in Homwood, a community between Forest and Raleigh, has had counselors from six different countries, including South Africa.

“They find out about us from our Web site,” said Yeager, who is also a professor at the University of Southern Mississippi. “Many international students are looking to do internships or summer practicums. They want to learn how to work with children with autism.”

About 140 students attend Kamp Kaleidoscope each year. Also each year, 50 or more applicants are placed on a waiting list because of the lack of space.

“We lease a facility for our camp each year, but CRO will give us our own place,” said Yeager. “The Outpost will allow us to serve more campers all summer long and on many weekends throughout the year.”

Yeager said the community’s support is needed to help make CRO a reality for those with autism. He added that TEAAM, a non-profit, volunteer organization comprised of parents, family members, educators and service providers interested in the field of Autism, is currently accepting donations and volunteer help.

Those interested in making donations to assist in the construction of the Center Ridge Outpost, may contact TEAAM at 601-733-0090. For additional information, you may visit the group’s Web sites at www.TEAAM.org and www.AutismCamps.org.

“Children and adults with autism can achieve amazing things if they are understood and supported,” said Yeager. “The Center Ridge Outpost will be a place where their uniqueness will be celebrated and they will be allowed to express themselves without being judged.”

Page navigation

News Articles

A place for those with autism to have fun

A place for those with autism to have fun

Center Ridge Outpost will be located in Smith Co.

Advertisements