ASP Sibs Camp Cavite 2016: Give Us More!

The ASP Siblings Camp Cavite, a yearly activity aimed at instilling camaraderie, role acceptance and leadership among siblings of persons with autism, kicked off its fifth season last May 26 and finished off touchingly with a bang on May 28. It was held at the Andrea’s Hidden Villa (a PWD- accessible private resort owned by Mr. Jing D. Caringal, the Head of PDAO of Tagaytay City) in Patutong Malaki North, Tagaytay City. Joined by fourteen ASP brothers and sisters from Carmona, Bacoor, Dasmariñas, Silang, Mendez and Gen. Trias, this year’s Sibs Camp in Cavite also welcomed five other enthusiastic sibs from Manila and Muntinlupa ASP chapters.

The nineteen Sib Campers, 10-23 years old, were quick to lay down the barriers within the hour of signing in. They felt comfortable amidst their peers even before the breaking of ice— they sat in groups, exchanged wits and banter, played and ran around. As one of the Kuya’s declared, he sees ASP Siblings Camp Cavite as his chance to “escape from reality,” a time to put his “responsibilities” in the backburner and have relaxing time with old and new friends. ASP Siblings Camp affords time for both fun and serious matters, with lots of bonding, relationship-building, and playful moments with fellow sibs, as well as time for self-recollection and expression, coming to terms, and looking ahead.

Writing Suggestions to make Sibs Camp More Interesting

Among the siblings’ favourite activities were the “SIB-er Games,” where the sibs were submerged in two hours of physically intoxicating and vocal-chord-wrecking water games, and the “Amazing Sibs Race,” which was not merely a feat of treasure hunting to be enjoyed, but an exploit that challenged the analytic, communication, decision-making and caring skills of the team players. The Race significantly brought home some very valuable lessons on trust, leadership and teamwork and was pegged as the most-liked activity in camp.

Line up with blindfold

Even as they enjoyed the playful hours, the siblings became very dedicated during the more serious and reflective moments, where they were guided to define and process their thoughts and emotions regarding their life’s journey as siblings of PWAs. Being siblings of PWAs, the campers were able to openly share one’s highs and lows in living with someone on the spectrum. It is much like what parents do when they engage in the Family Support Group meetings of ASP.

Sibs Group sharing discussions

One of the siblings remarked later that over all, the camp had a re-charging effect. It was obvious during the closing ceremony that everybody felt an unusual kind of revival, a readiness to face the greater challenges that lie ahead as they “return to reality” once again.

ASP Siblings Camp Cavite hopes to be instrumental in shaping a positive and healthy perspective by which both parents and siblings of persons with autism can manage and balance their roles and responsibilities as care-sharers in the family. As the sibs campers ostensibly voiced out their wish to have “More!” of everything that they experienced in camp, ASP Siblings Camp Cavite will exert every possible effort to sustain a responsive siblings support group to help improve the overall quality of life of our dear families living with autism.

ASP Cavite Chapters would like to thank all the good-hearted organizers of this very successful Camp: Teacher My Sorongon, ever committed and hardworking ASP Sibs Camp Facilitator, together with a dedicated and efficient team of Co-Facilitators – Teacher Eve Perey (Mendez, Cavite), Ate Thea Peña (Dasmariñas), Kuya Paul Valencia (Trece Martires) and Tita Jan Peña (Dasmariñas), Camp Director. Likewise, we are endlessly thankful to our partners who generously supported Sibs Camp 2016: Mr. Jing D. Caringal of Tagaytay City PDAO Office, owner of Andrea’s Hidden Villa; Mrs. Romana Bough of Sacramento, USA; Mr. Marvin Tiania of Jollibee Mendez Crossing –Tagaytay; and PWA Muneer Peña for the sweet cupcake tokens!

Thank you most especially to all the nineteen cooperating siblings from Cavite, Manila and Muntinlupa for whom the ASP Siblings Camp Cavite 2016 is sincerely dedicated, and to their parents and guardians who put their full trust and support in allowing the siblings to partake of this extraordinary experience! God bless you all and Mabuhay!

Cavite Sibs Camp group

The last day was inevitable. The siblings did not want to part, and they constantly joked about extending the camp, or having five times of it a year, or joining the subsequent camps of other chapters. They exchanged numbers, names on Facebook, and promised to keep in touch. They also had plans of reunion and future activities which hopefully would materialize soon.

All in all, the ASP Siblings Camp Cavite was a worthwhile endeavor which perfectly fits into the vacation days, and is a combination of fun and “recollection” moments, it was also a chance to meet new people with similar stories, and reunite with old buddies to catch up and bond. As expected, they were already looking forward to ASP Siblings Camp 2017!

About the contributor: Thea Peña is the elder sister of 20-year old PWA Muneer Peña of Dasmariñas City, Cavite. She is a fresh graduate (Salutatorian) of BS Occupational Therapy from the De La Salle Health Sciences Institute, Dasmariñas, Cavite. Ate Thea is a long-time sibling participant in various Sibs Camps in Laguna and Cavite, consequently developing her skills as a co-faciliator in the recent Sibs Camps held in Cavite. Tita Jan Peña is the mother of Ate Thea Peña, the current President of ASP Dasmariñas Chapter and the untiring steward or “Gobernadora” of ASP chapters in Cavite. She served as the Camp Director and house parent in this year’s Siblings Camp Cavite.

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Cavite Braces for 5th ASP Sibs Camp

All systems GO! for ASP Siblings Camp Cavite on May 26-28, 2016. ASP families are thrilled to escort the participants to Andrea’s Hidden Villa, a wondrous and PWD-accommodating and friendly resort in Patutong Malaki North, Tagaytay City, Cavite. This year’s twenty campers promise to be an exciting mixture of impassioned Ate’s and Kuya’s from Cavite cities and towns of Carmona, Bacoor, Dasmariñas, Molino, Gen. Trias, Silang and Mendez, plus hi-energy sibs from Manila and Muntinlupa Chapters.

Sibs Camp Cavite is a yearly coming together of siblings of PWA’s of different ages whose families are active ASP members. Since 2010, the summer activity has served as a venue for siblings bonding, self-expression, enriching perspectives and directions, and inculcating compassion, advocacy and leadership.

ASP Cavite Sibs Camp

We thank all the parents who promptly responded to this invitation and did not think twice to motivate their children to engage in the Siblings Camp. We hope to continue making Sibs Camp a must-join activity for every sibling every summer, for it educates, transforms and empowers siblings in their life’s journey with a brother or sister with autism.

We are also heartily grateful for the support of steadfast partners and friends who helped to kick-off the 2016 Sibs Camp (5th in Cavite): Teacher My Sorongon, ASP’s Siblings Camp Facilitator; Mr. Jing Caringal, Head of PDAO, Tagaytay City; Mrs. Romana Bough, long-time ASP angel; and JOLLIBEE - Mendez Crossing Tagaytay! Your spirit behind Sibs Camp Cavite is our strength! From the organizing team of 2016 Sibs Camp Cavite, Salamat and Mabuhay!

About the contributor: Mary Janette Infantado-Peña is a former President and Executive Director of the National Autism Society Philippines. She is also a former President of the Autism Society Philippines Bacoor and Dasmariñas Chapters (Cavite). Ms. Janette is a Graduate of AB Psychology from the University of the Phil, Dil. QC. She worked as a Teacher, Trainer and Supervisor in multi-instructional settings. Ms. Janette is a very active autism advocate, being a mother of a 22-year old young man with autism (Muneer). In 2015, her family was conferred the prestigious 2015 Jollibee Family Values Award for its exceptional contribution to the empowerment of Filipinos with Autism.

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Siblings’ Circle Summer Camp 2016

The ASP Laguna Siblings Circle Summer Camp 2016 (SCSC), with the theme “PWA Siblings, Proud and Aware,” was held on 22-23 April 2016 at Word of Life, a Christian recreational center located in Brgy. Perez, Calauan, Laguna. Ms. Marivic Ramos served as camp director, Ms. Deborah Klaudine Sanchez as lead facilitator, Ms. Inah Cathes Lopez and Sir Reymart Encarnacion as assistant facilitators at SCSC 2016.

The camp encouraged siblings and cousins of children with autism to be outspoken about their special relatives, brothers and sisters. Three constant E’s are the main objectives of the camp: empower, express and enjoy. All were given the opportunity to express their awareness of the condition of their relatives, brothers and sisters and to discover more of its implications in their daily lives. It also gave them the opportunity to think back to the moments that they felt proud of them. The camp also allowed them to develop camaraderie and share learning experiences among themselves. Participants came from Laguna (San Pablo, Sta. Rosa, Pakil), Cavite (Carmona), Quezon (Infanta) and Pampanga (San Fernando).

Siblings Circle Summer Camp group

The program started at 9:00 am with a prayer led by Ms. Debs Sanchez. A welcome followed given by Ms. Marivic Ramos. She also introduced the camp team to the participants. Together with Ms. Jessica, a staff from the Word of Life Camp, Ms. Marivic discussed the camp rules and regulations.

Fun started with “getting-to-know” activities namely “candy colors,” “inside the box” and the “toilet roll.” Participants were asked to introduce themselves by giving their name, age and the place where they came from and other things about themselves. The campers were amazing as they blended immediately well.

After the getting-to- know activities boodle fight lunch followed. The campers put together their lunch packs on banana leaves spread on the table for sharing. Most of them brought fast food chicken meals so it turned out to be a “chicken festival”. It was a first time experience for most of the campers to eat with their bare hands.

The bible hour, which is compulsory for all groups availing the facilities of the Word of Life Camp Inc. was done after lunch and facilitated by Kuya Ivan, a staff of the camp site. The bible verse was John 3:16 which states “for God so love the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. The emphasis of the sharing is the love of God, which gives us the capacity to love others especially the siblings and relatives with autism. The group was divided into two for a contest of finding the verse in the bible. The much awaited swimming time followed.

After dinner, there was t-shirt printing. They printed their own shirt with a sibling circle design, and went off for another awaited ending activity for the day -- the bonfire. Everybody was excited to gather in front of the bonfire. The facilitators led the sharing by asking each participant the question “What do you understand about your sibling’s/relative’s special condition?” and “What was the time/s that you were so proud of your siblings/relatives with autism?”

The SCSC team tried to give light to some confusion by giving facts and concrete examples. Positive emotions poured out when asked the second question. Some even cried because they pity their siblings/relatives. To lighten the mood, the “chubby bunny” challenge did a great job. It’s a challenge to everyone to put as much marshmallows in their mouth to expand their cheeks one piece at a time and still be able to say the phrase “Sibs proud and aware!” as clearly as possible. Each participant tried to say the phrase as clearly as possible while increasing pieces of marshmallows in their mouth. Everyone had a good laugh. The heating of marshmallows was also a hit, especially when they made their own “smores.”

The second day started at 5:30 am with a morning prayer followed by then the Filipino game “sikyo” or “agawan base” which they enjoyed much. After breakfast everybody got excited with the zip-line ride. One participant got the “Fear Buster” award for conquering his fear of the zip-line. Then the group underwent the traditional initiation by executing the “Human Roll.” Several games were played in the covered court until everyone got tired. After lunch, there was a group picture taking in the different areas of the camp.

And they did the “letter writing” activity where each one has to write a note or letter to other participants whom they like to make friends with. Eventually, all of them made one for each of the participants.

After the activity, everyone packed away their things and spent the remaining hours for bonding. Simultaneously, parents were gathered by Ms. Marivic to give them information on what transpired during the two-day camp. Activities were shared to them and details like how the siblings/cousins see their special relatives, brothers and sisters in different ways and their disabilities as well.

Ms. Marivic thanked the parents for entrusting their children to ASP Laguna and to the SCSC team, for the support in terms of time and efforts to make ASP Laguna Siblings Circle Summer Camp a success! The camp ended with an awarding of certificate of recognition to the participants.

About the contributor: Marivic is an ASP National Trustee and the current Vice-President of ASP Laguna Chapter. A Trainer for Work, Live and Play Program to young adults with autism at Autism Resource Center (ARC). Marivic is a pillar of the autism advocacy community in Los Baños, immersing herself in special education and training and empowerment programs over the years. As an ASP delegate, she was elected to the board of the Philippine Community Based Disability Inclusive Development Network. She is a single mother to a 23 year old young adult with autism, Victor Michael "Mico" Ramos who is now working at ASP National Headquarters as Junior Program Assistant.

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Posted in: 4siblings,camp,chapters,regional,siblings,summer