World Autism Awareness Weekend

Wrightsville Beach World Autism Awareness Weekend April 1-3

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC . . . As many as 60,000 NC families are impacted by children with some form of autism. These families are invited to Wrightsville Beach, April 1-3, to participate in World Autism Awareness Weekend.

Organizer and Surfers Healing North Carolina Camp Director, John Pike promises lots of fun for the families of children with autism.

Arrive on Friday, and prepare for a full weekend of activity. On Saturday, World Autism Day, all are invited to experience a day of hands-on kids' activities, networking, and resource sharing at Wrightsville Beach Park presented by Surfers Healing. On Sunday, families are invited to relax and enjoy beach games, lawn games, kayak instruction, and boat rides at the host hotel, the Blockade Runner Beach Resort. A mid-day seaside cookout will be available on Sunday, overlooking the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. All activities at the park and games on Saturday and Sunday are free.

This year's Hawaiian theme will feature live, ukulele music on Saturday with hula dancing as Pike and others sport Hawaiian print shirts. Meet Pike and his 7-year old autistic son, Gianni, and other families on a day when autism rules without exceptions.

All booths on Saturday, will feature exciting activities for the children like board waxing, a miniature skate park, face painting, a bounce house, fishing, sensory toys, calming toys, corn toss, and more. Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue lifeguards will lead special water safety instruction for the families. Refreshments will be provided at no charge by Land Rover Cape Fear and Two Guys Grille.

Information will be shared by autism awareness agencies and other important support groups: Autism Society of North Carolina, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender and Brunswick counties, Askate.org, Family Support Network, NC Chapter of Surfers Healing, Ocean Cure, S.H.A.R.E., Surfrider Foundation, TEACCH, Wilmington Children's Developmental Services Agency and Exceptional Children's Assistance Center. Bi-lingual information will be provided.

The goal is to create a weekend of outreach, inclusion, awareness and festivities for the children, networking and resource opportunities for the parents. World Autism Awareness Day was created by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2007.

Contacts:John Pike, North Carolina Surfers Healing Camp Director
(910) 202-3312
john@surfershealing.org
www.surfershealing.org

Host Hotel: Blockade Runner Beach Resort (early reservations encouraged)
Phone: 800-541-1161 www.blockade-runner.com