5p- Society
Annual Conference and Get-Together
July 25-28,
2013, Long Island, New York
Start Spreading the
News is not just the opening line of Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York, it is also the theme of this year’s conference
and reflects the 5p- Society’s desire to spread awareness and updated
information regarding Cri Du Chat. This
conference promises to do just that in a packed weekend of events that balances
informational workshops, entertainment, and opportunities to just relax with other
families that “get it.”
Our conference is being held at the Huntington Hilton in Long
Island, NY. It is conveniently located
on Route 110 (Broad Hollow Road), which borders the two counties of Long Island
(Nassau and Suffolk). This enables us to
still be within 30 miles of Manhattan, offer a Family Fun Event at the beach on
Long Island and secure a relatively affordable rate of $159 per night. This pet friendly hotel also allows attendees
to extend their stay before or after the conference to visit all that NYC has
to offer, play some golf on Bethpage State Park’s Black course (home to the
2002 and 2009 US Open tournament), visit Long Island’s East End wineries, take
a day trip to the Hamptons or just relax by the hotel pools. The Hilton provides free shuttle service
along the Route 110 corridor to restaurants, shops and the Long Island Railroad,
but unfortunately, does not provide
airport shuttle service. As in past
years, attendees may submit conference registration forms online or through the
mail. Overnight accommodations must be booked
directly thought the hotel by mentioning Group Code: FPM (1-800-HILTONS or http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/new-york/hilton-long-island-huntington-ISPHHHF/index.html).
This year’s conference workshops include popular
favorites of Behavior Strategies, Financial Planning and iPad Applications for
Language Development, while introducing new presenters, workshops topics, and
essential skills like CPR Training, a Get
Walking workshop with various assistive walkers and a certified orthotist, a
communication device workshop with Adelphi University’s SGD lab, and a workshop
on reading programs.
We are very happy to announce that Rachel Coleman of
Signing Time will be singing and signing for us at this year’s conference. Signing Time is featured on Nick Jr., but has
also appeared on PBS and Rachel has performed at various community events like
Buddy Walk. Rachel Coleman and her
talented family developed Signing Time as a way to help all families communicate
through ASL after finding out that her daughter, Leah, was deaf – you can find
out more about Rachel and her amazing family at www.rachelcoleman.com. She will be available for a “meet and greet”
after the concert.
We could not bring you to Long Island without bringing
you to the beach. This year, our Family
Fun Event will be at Lido Beach Town Park, on Long Beach. The site was chosen because it is in tandem
with Camp Anchor – a special needs camp on Long Island (www.campanchor.org). Although Sandy caused some severe damage to
Long Beach (even knocking out the nearby boardwalk), Lido Beach and Camp Anchor’s
facilities sustained only minor damage which should be fully repaired by
July. The afternoon picnic will be held
at “The Mushrooms,” so nick-named because of the large mushroom shaped
structures that provide shelter from the sun and rain between the parking lot
and the dunes. After lunch, families can
choose to stay in the shade, venture over the dunes to the beach or explore all
of the other facilities at Lido and Camp Anchor – age appropriate children’s
play areas, a baby fountain pool area, volleyball, horseshoe pitching,
shuffleboard, bocci, and basketball are all available on site. Sand accessible wheelchairs are even
available upon request.
This year’s Sibling Outing will be held at 300 Long
Island, a state of the art bowling alley with floor to ceiling video screens. The kids will have their own private bowling
room where lunch will be provided. After
their outing, the siblings will return to the hotel for an afternoon pool
party. In addition to the Sibling Outing,
we also have many other activities planned for both siblings and our CdC
children. One of the big initiatives
this year is a redesign of Childcare – we have created a 5p- Fun Camp complete
with age appropriate activities like yoga, dance lessons, scrap-booking and
even a photo booth station. Every room
will be staffed with adults who are familiar with CdC children and at least one
staff member at all times who is competent in ASL. Our goal is to ensure that everyone in the
family gets to relax and have some fun.
The culmination of the conference is, of course, our
Family Banquet on Saturday night – a chance for everyone to celebrate together. This event will put a smile on your face as
we dance the night away with both new and old friends. The Hilton’s attentive wait staff and
delicious food will surely complement the entertainment and fellowship. We would like to also note that the Hilton is
working with us on possible dietary concerns – please note any special requests
on the conference registration form.
For more information about the conference, please visit: www.fivepminus.org/annconfX.htm
and join us on facebook at www.facebook.com/events/257824834293106/. We can’t wait for your arrival! Be sure to register soon!
