Surfs-Up-Spring-Break-Camp-for-Children-with-Autism-is-Back1
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City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
OFFICE OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, Tel: 305.673.7575 PRESS RELEASE
Tonya Daniels, E-mail: tonyadaniels@miamibeachfl.gov
Melissa Berthier, E-mail: melissaberthier@miamibeachfl.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2018
Surfs Up! Spring Break Camp for Children with Autism is Back
— City of Miami Beach and UM-CARD Partner for 10th Annual Surf Camp —
Miami Beach, FL— The University of Miami – Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism
and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD) is teaming up with the City of Miami Beach Parks
and Recreation Department to host the 10th annual spring break surf camp for children with
autism spectrum disorders (ASD) on Sunday, March 25 through Friday, March 30, 2018.
Participating children will spend the week focusing on swimming skills, basic oceanography,
meteorology, open water surfing and most importantly, their own abilities. The educational
component of camp will be held at South Pointe Park, One Washington Avenue, Miami Beach,
and the actual surfing component will be held on the beach adjacent to the park.
“We are thrilled to be offering this camp again for the tenth year,” said John Rebar, director of
Miami Beach Parks and Recreation. “It’s a great opportunity to build self-esteem, and provides
a once in a lifetime experience for many participants.”
Twelve campers, from 8-12 years of age, will participate in this year’s CARD Surf Camp, free of
charge; funding is provided by donor support to CARD. This year the Lustbader family will be
sponsoring the camper’s meals. For more information on CARD, please call 1.800.9.AUTISM
(x1) or visit www.umcard.org.
“Thanks to the support from the City of Miami Beach, we have been able to offer this amazing
program to our families right here in our community,” said Dr. Michael Alessandri, executive
director of UM-NSU CARD and professor of psychology at the UM College of Arts & Sciences.
“Surf Camp is one of our most popular programs, and we are looking forward to seeing those
big smiles once again!”
On-site interviews and daily surf camp schedule are available for media upon request. Contact
Michelle Costa at mke@miami.edu if interested.
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