Practicum Therapist application for Camp Avanti 2011

1. Sensory Integration in the Life Environment:
An Advanced Treatment Practicum
Avanti-Camp is a unique summer camp program for children created in 1989 by Patricia
Wilbarger, MEd, OTR, FAOTA. The program combines an intensive sensory integrative
treatment approach with a rustic and challenging camp environment. The individualized
treatment is guided by occupational therapists specializing in the use of neurobehavioral
theories and includes a broad range of activities planned for great fun as well as for
therapeutic benefit. This camp has been replicated in the St. Croix Valley area of
Minnesota/Wisconsin since 1986. This year’s camp is directed by Kris Worrell and
Eileen Richter. Eileen will also coordinate the practicum program with Julia Wilbarger,
PhD, OT/L. Participants will also have training experiences facilitated by other expert
therapists.
Dates: Pre-camp: Thursday, June 30 to Saturday, July 2, 2011
Camp: Sunday, July 3 to Saturday, July 9, 2011
Location: YMCA Camp Icaghowan, 899A 115th St, Amery, WI 54001
Tuition: $1000, includes training, materials, and room & board
Therapists applying for this course must have studied sensory integration theory. It is
advantageous if the participant’s work experience has included testing and/or treatment
of sensory integrative dysfunction as well as other treatment approaches for children with
sensory processing disorders.
Therapists will be accepted on the basis of whether their background is sufficient to
benefit from this experience and if the setting can contribute to their intended goals.
Applications will be processed in the order received (limited number accepted.)
Therapists who are easily inconvenienced by living in a rustic environment, require a lot
of privacy, need a lot of structure, or have difficulty adapting to the changing needs of a
group of creative professionals, should reconsider before applying. Adaptability is
essential.
Each practicum therapist must have professional liability insurance.

2. Practicum Program
A limited number of occupational therapists will be accepted for this special practicum
with the Avanti staff involving the holistic treatment of children with sensory processing
disorders. The learning activities will include opportunities for both formal (lectures,
approximately 15 to 20 hours) and practical experiences. Most of the children have
normal or above average intelligence, but experience difficulties with learning and/or
behavior. Practicum therapists will be able to work and live with the children and camp
staff. Each practicum participant will be presented with opportunities to enhance
professional development and skills within the framework of the camp’s goals for the
children.
The children are assigned to cabins by age and gender. Cabin activities are coordinated
by a cabin therapist and two experienced YMCA camp counselors for each cabin. The
counselors, wonderlab therapists, and cabin therapists collaborate to plan appropriate
activities for each child and ways to make the camping experience a positive and
therapeutic one.
Camp activities begin each morning with a special individualized wake-up routine. The
camp schedule focuses on structured activities at many different program areas
interspersed with unstructured activities.. Specific sensory integration therapy for
individual children will take place in therapy designed space (wonderlab), and whenever
possible, in the outdoor environment. The therapy space is fully equipped with
suspended apparatus, mats and other therapy equipment. Other activities include
swimming, hiking, horseback riding, crafts, boating, self-expression, music, etc. Camp
staff intercommunication is an integral part of the program and a variety of opportunities
for consultation, problem solving, treatment planning and so forth are built in to the
program. Meals, rest periods and campfires are carefully structured to maximize the
therapeutic value for the children.
Practicum therapists’ learning experiences will be facilitated by Eileen Richter, OTR,
Julia Wilbarger, PhD, OT/L, and other therapists on staff to gain the most from the
practicum experience. Wonderlab therapists and other support staff are nationally
recognized experts in various aspects of sensory integration treatment and other
neurobehavioral approaches. They will be able to share their special skills (i.e. oral
sensorimotor and postural techniques, assessment, cranio-sacral therapy, listening
programs, etc.) with practicum therapists on a day-to-day basis in conjunction with
lectures. The actual “hands on” learning time and formal learning time together average
12 hours per day.

3. Avanti-Camp Icaghowan
Advanced Practicum Application
Name Home Phone
Home Address City State/Zip
Place of Employment
Work Address City State/Zip
Work Phone E-mail
Professional Registration or Licensure No.
Brief Job Description
Work Experience with Dates (you may include a resume for additional information)
Education and Degrees
Professional Liability Insurance Carrier

4. Continuing Education (particularly in regard to Neurological and/or Developmental Principles)
TITLE INSTRUCTOR DATE
Reason for applying to this program:
What do you hope to learn from this experience? State goals and use additional paper if
necessary.
Special interests and/or skills you might be able to contribute:
Fee: $1000. A $200 deposit is required with this application. Make checks payable to Avanti
OT Projects. The deposit will be returned if you are not accepted into the program or upon your
cancellation no later than April 1, 2011. If you have questions, email mewrot@gmail.com.
Please send this completed application form to:
Avanti OT Projects, c/o Kris Worrell,
2495 Maplewood Drive, Suite 313, Maplewood, MN 55109
Signature Date