The OPEN FORUM of the Finger Lakes Chapter of the American Dowser's Association is a non profit group looking to further the education of everyone interested in energy and healing and sponsors speakers from all walks of life. The OPEN FORUM has amazing education events and classes. Celebrate Today's Children is excited to share with you that Jamie Burke will be speaking at the next OPEN FORUM event in Central New York. Please join us at this wonderful event.

When you see the word, "autism" what do you assume? Do you think "tuned out" and "lost" individuals, or, do you assume those who have autism are gifted in a closer identity to the spiritual life? Do you think of them as individuals with the possibility of leading full lives, even those who are unable to communicate through verbal speech? What do you really know? Jamie Burke is a 21 year-old young man who was diagnosed with autism at age 3, and introduced to a method of typed communication when he was 4 years old. He began to speak at age 12. Assisted by his mother, Sheree Burke, he will share his views on his 'gift'.

Jamie Burke

He is currently a 21 year-old junior at Syracuse University in the College of Human Ecology. Jamie has used facilitated communication since age five, and has progressed from supported typing to independent typing, and typing with two hands. In recent years, he has become able to read his typing out loud as well as unfamiliar text. Jamie has been able to begin to develop useful and reliable speech. He is frequent presenter at Syracuse University School of Education and is a presenter at conferences throughout the United States. He has traveled to England, Wales, and Germany, speaking about inclusion, and what it has meant to his life.

August 21,2008 Thursday 6pm – 8pm
Hazard Library, 1620 W Genesee St, Syracuse, NY

Please contact Wil Alaura with any questions by email or phone at 315-696-6497

        

Families and friends will join us at the opening night ceremony and fire. Return at 8 pm and join us around the sacred fire for an hour of ceremony, songs, and togetherness. Having the family and friends join the camper for the last hour allows for the integration of what was learned at camp to flow from the children into the adults. It also facilitates camp conversation on the ride home and during the following weeks.

It is important that the children have time to be with other children. To just be children.

Between drop-off and pickup, here are some ideas, places and activities in the nearby area.

Camp starts on Tuesday the 8th! Tell your friends and family! We still have a few spaces open for more children to join us for Fantasy Fun Camp 2008. The theme of the night goes to the animals! Run into your room and look at your stuffed animals. Which ones are your favorite and why? What traits do you like? What ones do you find to be useful in your life.

Last week, turtles were everywhere for me. I saw them in magazines, on television commercials, on t-shirts of people walking by me, as earrings, necklaces and rings and in the Erie Canal. Huge turtles, talking turtles, gold turtles, babies turtles. One was even dead on the side of the road. What did this mean for me? My friend Sue asked me, "Do you feel like hiding out? Are you carrying the weight of the world on your back? Do you want to bury your head in the sand?" Wow. I felt so much better after talking out loud to someone about why I was seeing turtles everywhere. How about you? Are you ready to learn more about animals and more about yourself while having fun with new friends and playing outside in nature. We, the teachers at Fantasy Fun Camp, are so excited for you to come and play with us! See you Tuesday at 6 pm. Fill the car up with your friends and head over to Fantasy Fun Camp 2008!

Listen here to a brief segment of one of Sheila's 2007 classes.

Our Children, Our Teachers
The children of today are a culmination of beautiful and gifted souls. They come to this world with insight and memories beyond our understanding. The key as loving adults in their lives is to honor this gifts while still giving them the guidance, love and boundaries they need in childhood. This class will use channel, meditation, and Sheila's personal experience (raising an indigo child and a crystal star child) to help parents, teachers, aunts, uncles, etc. understand how to both learn from and teach the children of today.

Throughout the Fantasy Fun Camp, Sheila Applegate will offer a series of classes about today's children. These classes are for adults interested in better understanding the spirit of our children and how to develop a nurturing environment conducive of their developing gifts. These classes are perfect for anyone who loves a child or wants to help heal the child within. Classes are $50 per individual session or $120 for all three.

Register for the 2008 adult education classes!

Reiki II for Children
With Sheila Applegate and Jennifer Johnston
June 1^st, 10 am - 2 pm
Fee: $50

Children ages 7-16 who have taken level 1 reiki are encouraged to join us on the next step. You will learn to send the energy long distance to friends and families. You will also learn the ancient symbols and an emotional balancing. Receive your second atunement and of course have fun! To register, please send us a message on the Contact page with the category "Children's Reiki".

For more information about our Reiki offerings, please see the Reiki page.

We will be kicking our camp off on July 8^th with an Opening Ceremony and explorations of Animal Totems. We will be starting at 6 pm going until 9 pm, and we invite your child's family and caregivers to join us at 8 pm.

July 8^th: Animal Totems, 6 pm - 9 pm
July 15^th: Frolicking with the Fairies, 6 pm - 8:15 pm
July 22^nd: The Truth about Magic, 6 pm - 8:15 pm
July 29^th: Celebrate Your Gifts Camp, 6 pm - 8:15 pm

2008's Fantasy Fun Camp is one evening per week for four weeks. You can attend all four weeks or just an individual session. Cost of all four Tuesday evenings is $90, or $25 for each individual class. Additional children in the same family are $65 for all four sessions, or $25 per class.

We will also be having the Celebrate Today's Children Adult Education Camp with Sheila Applegate on Thursday evenings from 6 pm to 8 pm. These classes are for adults interested in better understanding the spirit of our children and how to develop a nurturing environment conducive to their developing gifts. These classes are perfect for anyone who loves a child or wants to help heal the child within themselves. Classes are $50 per session, or $120 for the series of three.

July 10^th: Celebrating the Spirit of our Children
July 17^th: Honoring the Child Within
July 24^th: The Spirit of the Child in our Schools

More information about Fantasy Fun Camp 2008 will follow in the upcoming days. Click back soon.

Reiki I with Jennifer Johnston
Saturday May 31^st, 11 am - 3 pm
Fee: $50

Children ages 7-16 are encouraged to learn this ancient art of healing through hands-on experience and a lot of laughter. Participants will learn the history and method of Reiki, recieve their first atunement and leave the class prepared to use this healing gift on themselves and others. To register, please send us a message on the Contact page with the category "Children's Reiki".

For more information about our Reiki classes, please see the Reiki page.

Join us Saturday January 26th 2008 11am - 3pm

Reiki is a natural healing that works with energies to bring a state of balance and well being to mind, body, and spirit. We believe that all children posses an innate sense of curiosity, wonder, imagination and innocence that flows from their heart and through their hands.

Reiki teaches how to touch each other and ourselves with gentle, loving, and healing hands. Learning to use Reiki helps children connect to nature and reconnects them to the awareness from where they came. As a participant you will learn how to give and receive Reiki. You will explore the magic of energy and color. Most importantly, you will learn how to use Reiki in your daily life: doing homework, interacting with your sibling(s), quieting the mind, falling asleep, organizing your room and many other beneficial ways.

Please note: This class is fun! Children may be exposed to art, moving, dancing, play, meditation and yoga.

Our Goal: is to inspire and motivate each child's creative forces from within, giving each child a practical way to live in today's world.

Important Information
This class is appropriate for children ages 7-16 years old.
Saturday January 26, 2008: 11am - 3pm
Class to be held in LaFayette, New York
Cost: $50 per person. Payment can be made via cash or check payable to Jennifer Johnston

Jennifer will be teaching Children's Reiki I. To have your child or children attend this class, please RSVP today with " Children 's Reiki" in the subject line or call
(315) 663-4171.

Celebrate Today's Children is Teaching Reiki I to Kids!
Join us October 14th 11 am - 3 pm

Reiki is a form of healing that works with nonphysical energies to bring a state of balance and well being to mind, body, and spirit. We believe that all children posses an innate sense of curiosity, wonder, imagination and innocence that flows from their heads to their heart and through their hands. Learning to use Reiki helps children connect to nature and the world. Our goal is to inspire and motivate each child's creative forces from within, giving each child a practical way to live in today's world.

Sheila and Jennifer will be teaching Children's Reiki I together. If you would like your child or children to attend this class, please RSVP today with "Children's Reiki" in the subject.

$50 per child, ages 8 - 16.

It has been a week since the start of Fantasy Fun Camp. I believe my elf shoes are finally dry (Sammy, the dog, put me in the stream after camp on Monday afternoon). We walked over to check on all the fairy boats the children made out of peppers which carried gifts of gratitude for all the fairies, little people, elves, gnomes, and others.

We have posted more pictures from camp in the gallery! We have also added and changed some pages around on the website. Please take a look!