Camp Capability - New Horizons

JOIN OUR INTEREST LIST

New Horizons has partnered with the CA Department of Rehabilitation to offer a unique summer camp experience for students with disabilities. The goals of Camp CapAbility are as follows:

College and Career Readiness: Students learn about a variety of career options, and the many pathways that exist to help them reach their long-term employment goals.
Real–World Experience: Students will visit local employers and postsecondary learning institutions. They will speak with actual employees about their training and career path. They will meet with counselors and disability support professionals about programs, accommodations, and supports available on local campuses. They will hear from guest speakers about self-advocacy. This isn’t a typical classroom learning experience.

Fun: Learning can and should be fun. In addition to learning, community exploration, and campus visits, students will make friends, and have the fun of a traditional summer camp experience.

Qualified students will be able to attend camp at no cost to their families. We have a limited number of spaces, so join our interest list today!

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Camp CapAbility – The Summer 2024

A very successful season!

On Friday, July 26, 2024, the Youth Services team celebrated the end of our inaugural Camp CapAbility! This was an intense 4-week program where students learned:

Job Counseling: Students learned about a wide variety of potential jobs by visiting multiple job sites, including Costco, Peet’s Coffee, Tilly’s, the Apple Store, Trader Joe’s, Lowe’s and many more.
Postsecondary: Campers visited 5 different college campuses, including Mission, Valley, Pierce, CSUN, and Santa Monica to learn about accommodations and supports available on campus, programs, admission processes, and more.
Workplace Readiness: Students learned about the skills necessary to succeed in the workplace. They worked in Go4Grocery, and started their own coffee cart company (the 4 C’s). Thank you to all who supported them and purchased any items!
Self-Advocacy: This week they focused on learning to advocate for themselves, and heard from Guiness World Record Holder, Tom Iland, on the importance of being your own superhero.

We thank all who supported the students, and to the staff members who made this a reality!

Until next time…

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

The Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) “seeks to ensure that students and youth with disabilities have meaningful opportunities to receive the services needed to achieve quality competitive integrated employment outcomes.” Eligibility for students:

Between 16 and 21 years of age.
Enrolled in a recognized education program.
One or more of the following:
Eligible for & receiving special education or related services
Eligible for & receiving accommodations with a 504 plan or IEP.
Physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.*

Note: Currently we are working with the Van Nuys/ Foothill District of the California Department of Rehabilitation. We aim to add additional districts in the future.

WHAT HAPPENS AT CAMP CAPABILITY?

Focus of Instruction

Exploration of information about the job market, in-demand jobs and industries, and non-traditional employment options.
Discussions about in-demand jobs, career pathways, and matching interests and skills to possible jobs.

Activities

Ice Breakers
Tours of local employers
Guest Speakers from local employers
Communication skill building
Field Trips

Focus of Instruction

Reviewing information about college, vocational, or trade school admissions processes, courses, and resources available to support student success.
Advising students and parents on academic curricula and the type of academic and occupational training needed to succeed in the workplace.
Support in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Visit college campuses.

Activities

Team Builders
Visit local colleges and universities
Learn about available supports on campus
Learn about activities on campus
Learn about various professional learning programs

Focus of Instruction

Opportunities to acquire and apply work-appropriate communication and interpersonal skills.
Development of independent living skills such as financial literacy, mobility, and job-seeking skills.
Learning about employer expectations for punctuality, performance, and other “soft” skills necessary for employment.

Activities

Mock interviews
Workplace training at local businesses
Setting a budget
Visit local businesses from a variety of industries
Guest speakers from the workforce

Focus of Instruction

Learning about rights and responsibilities, and how to request accommodations or services and supports. Practice communicating thoughts, concerns, and needs.
Participation in youth leadership activities, peer mentoring, or mentoring with educational staff.