Kids’ Conference
Get ready for Kids’ Conference!
While their adults attend Educational & Social Sessions, NOAH kids, tweens, and teens get to learn, play, and socialize at the awesome Kids’ Conference. Attendees are divided into groups by grade level/age and provided with exciting, age-appropriate activities throughout the conference. This year, the Kids’ Conference will be divided into the following groups:
*please note* school-aged children are placed according to the grade level they will be entering in fall 2022
Flamingos
6 mos – kindergarten
Pelicans
Red Pelicans: 1st & 2nd graders
Yellow Pelicans: 3rd & 4th graders
Blue Pelicans: 5th & 6th graders
Manatees
7th – 9th graders
Alligators
10th – 12th graders
Program Information
Flamingos ~ Pelicans ~ Manatees ~ Alligators
Flamingos
6 mos. – kindergarten
Welcome to NOAH’s Flamingos! It’s designed specifically for our youngest conference attendees – ages six months to five years! We’re delighted to share this year’s conference with your child so we’ve planned lots of fun activities. We want this time to be an enjoyable, social experience shared with other children with albinism as well as their siblings. Our goal is to make it a safe, fun, camp-type atmosphere.
Each child will be placed in developmentally appropriate groups according to their ages. We will have an infant room, toddler one, toddler two room as well as a room for three years old, four years old and five years old. This may vary depending on birthdays and #s of attendees.
Meet the Team ~ Beth Cope
Beth Cope is a Pre-K/Kindergarten teacher for Hampstead Academy in Hampstead, New Hampshire. She brings with her over 30 years experience working with children of all ages. Beth has been part of the NOAH Preschool Conference program since 2008 starting as an assistant group leader. In her spare time Beth enjoys reading, crafting and baking.
Tentative Flamingo Programming*:
*Please note: the activities listed below are subject to change
Puppet Show
Kindermusik
Magnet Program
The Orlando Science Center will bring an exciting, hands-on magnet program!
Pelicans
1st – 6th grade
School-aged children with albinism and other NOAH grade schoolers interact with others like themselves while engaged in fun, educational activities that may include science, crafts, puppets, trivia, reptile show, ask a teen/adult with albinism, and much more!
Meet the Team ~ Tricia Thomas
Tricia Thomas is a parent of a child with albinism who has been involved with NOAH for many years organizing bowl-a-thons, as a adoptive parent liaison, planning family camps & Kid conferences. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and is a Lead Teacher and Director II certified to work with young children. Tricia has additional training in special needs, visual impairments, parent advocacy and literary education. She has over 35 years of experience working with children from infancy through teens. Currently Tricia is the Early Childhood Literacy Teacher & Adult Program Coordinator at the Sandown Public Library.
Red Pelicans
1st & 2nd grade
Tentative Red Pelican Programming*:
*Please note: the activities listed below are subject to change
Story time with local librarians :
Fun with Ms. Lisa and her crew for an “Out and About” story time from the Osceola Library System. The Kissimmee library staff will be providing the group with storytimes and crafts.
Musicfest:
Get your jam on with music from Grow and Sing Studios. They have been sharing the magic of music and movement for children for more than 16 years. An extension of their Kindermusik program, they will offer children a fun and playful environment where they can sing, move, play instruments, and hear stories.
Orlando Science Center:
Mighty Magnets: Explore force and motion with magnets!
Puppet Show:
MicheLee Puppets carries on the time honored tradition of education through puppetry. Having performed for over 2 million children in Florida, MicheLee Puppets use their original puppet show themes as a fun and effective tool to make messages memorable.
Craft:
Color and create your own NOAHcon puzzle.
Drama with Ms. Casey:
It’s time for fun drama games with Ms Casey. Casey has many years of experience in the arts with teaching and performing theatre and can’t wait to share some fun improv games with everyone.
Trivia Game:
Get ready for some challenging fun as we show off our knowledge of Disney and Florida! The group will work in smaller teams to answer as many trivia questions as they can.
NOAH bears:
All children will stuff their own NOAH bear to take home. Each bear will wear a NOAH 2022 memorial t-shirt.
Yellow Pelicans
3rd & 4th grade
Tentative Yellow Pelican Programming*:
*Please note: the activities listed below are subject to change
Treasure Hunt Mystery:
The adventure begins with a letter from half-way around the world, a strange key and a note from a long-dead pirate. There are ciphers to crack, puzzles to solve and double-crossing pirates with schemes of their own. Solve the clues to find the long-lost treasure!
Southeastern Guide dogs:
Southeastern Guide Dogs began in 1982 with a single vision: to help those who cannot see. Today staff from the organization will discuss the use and responsibilities of using a guide dog to promote confidence and independence for those with visual challenges.
Trivia Game:
Get ready for some challenging fun as we show off our knowledge of Disney and Florida! The group will work in smaller teams to answer as many trivia questions as they can.
Craft:
Color and create your own “I AM” collage.
“A” talk:
Round “table” discussion on albinism with teens and siblings.
NOAH bears:
All children will stuff their own NOAH bear to take home. Each bear will wear a NOAH 2022 memorial t-shirt.
Orlando Science Center:
Drones! Learn drone technology while you master flying one of these amazing machines in a drone cage.
Blue Pelicans
5th & 6th grade
Tentative Blue Pelican Programming*:
*Please note: the activities listed below are subject to change
Escape room:
Will the Blue Pelicans solve the mystery and escape in time?
Southeastern Guide dogs:
Southeastern Guide Dogs began in 1982 with a single vision: to help those who cannot see. Today staff from the organization will discuss the pros and cons of having a guide dog to promote confidence and independence for those with visual challenges.
“A” talk:
Round “table” discussion on albinism with adults.
Geometric Collaborative Art Panel:
Each child will design and create a cube that will then be crafted together and be available for bidding at the NOAH silent auction.
Orlando Science Center:
Explore the states of matter, physical and chemical changes during this amazing KaBOOM show!
Out To Lunch:
All 5th and 6th graders will take a walk from the hotel and be provided with a stipend to purchase their lunch at Disney Springs.
Spies, Lies and Bad Guys Mystery:
A mad-cap mystery that unfolds through a series of top secret missions, curious objects and cool spy gadgets. There are ciphers to crack, codes to enter and clues to solve. If the evil villain plans succeed, fun will be gone forever! Solve the mystery before that happens.
Manatees
7th – 9th grade
A unique opportunity for tweens with albinism and other NOAH middle schoolers to learn, share experiences, try new activities, and give back to the local community while exploring sights.
Meet the Team ~ Kimberly Paglia
Kimberly Paglia comes to the NOAH Conference Team with more than 20 years experience in the field of visual impairment. She was in charge of youth and young adult programming at the Keystone Blind Association for 10 years, including weekend events, summer camps, and extended field trips to Disney, Toronto, and Philadelphia. Since 2014, Kimberly has worked for the Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (TVI/COMS), working with children from birth to age 21. Kimberly lives in Western PA with her husband, Tony, and their three children. When she’s not teaching or spending time with her family, she enjoys drawing comics and writing & recording her original music with her band, Bellhouse.
Tentative Manatee Programming*:
Please note: the activities listed below are subject to change
Orientation & Mobility Walk on the WILD Side
Get ready to brush up on your safe travel skills as our group ventures to Disney Spring for the first time! We’ll be using all of our senses, looking for landmarks and clues along the way as we walk to the Rainforest Cafe (TEENS) and T-REX Restaurant (TWEENS), where we’ll have a private educational tour followed by lunch.
Escape Room
Will your team have what it takes to “escape” before time runs out? Using teamwork you’ll attempt to solve puzzles, unlock mysteries, and find the secret to escape the room in less than 45 minutes. Mobile escape rooms provided by Puzzle Room Escape (puzzleroomescape.com).
Science Center CSI
Step into the shoes of a forensic scientist – but watch your step! Clues are hidden around every corner, waiting to be discovered, collected, analyzed, and matched to a potential suspect. Can you use your science skills to figure out whodunnit?
Like a BOSS!
Central FL Lighthouse for the Blind will be on-hand as we explore our career-related interests & skills. This job-prep workshop will be fun and educational, with real-life experiences shared by professionals with albinism. Get ready to WORK it at your next job interview!
Less STRESS, more CORE
Self-care & wellness is the focus of this session, with an emphasis on healthy practices for your mind and body. We’ll learn some mindfulness techniques led by Certified Child Life Specialist, Jocelyn Leworthy, that will come in handy as you navigate the stress and anxiety of school and relationships. Then yoga instructor, Diana McCown, will guide us through some poses to increase focus and build flexibility & strength.
We Don’t Talk About Bruno
But we DO talk about life with albinism and the people we love. This panel discussion led BY and FOR individuals with albinism and their siblings. It will be an opportunity to share your experiences and ask questions. You will connect with others who may have been in similar situations and learn how they have navigated through them. Just don’t bring Bruno.
Goose Chase at Disney Springs
Are you ready for a wild goose chase!? You’ll team up with friends and hit the streets of Disney Springs to complete a set of missions and earn points for your team before your time runs out. You’ll be searching for information and snapping selfies along the way to score your way to victory!
On a ROLL at Splitsville
Get ready to STRIKE it big at Disney Springs’ premier bowling alley. Our group will enjoy lunch at the lanes with a NOAH bowling party!
Alligators
10th – 12th grade
A unique opportunity for teens with albinism and other NOAH high schoolers to learn, share experiences, try new activities, and give back to the local community while exploring sights.
Meet the Team ~ Kimberly Paglia
Kimberly Paglia comes to the NOAH Conference Team with more than 20 years experience in the field of visual impairment. She was in charge of youth and young adult programming at the Keystone Blind Association for 10 years, including weekend events, summer camps, and extended field trips to Disney, Toronto, and Philadelphia. Since 2014, Kimberly has worked for the Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (TVI/COMS), working with children from birth to age 21. Kimberly lives in Western PA with her husband, Tony, and their three children. When she’s not teaching or spending time with her family, she enjoys drawing comics and writing & recording her original music with her band, Bellhouse.
Tentative Alligators Programming*:
*Please note: the activities listed below are subject to change
Orientation & Mobility Walk on the WILD Side
Get ready to brush up on your safe travel skills as our group ventures to Disney Spring for the first time! We’ll be using all of our senses, looking for landmarks and clues along the way as we walk to the Rainforest Cafe (TEENS) and T-REX Restaurant (TWEENS), where we’ll have a private educational tour followed by lunch.
Escape Room
Will your team have what it takes to “escape” before time runs out? Using teamwork you’ll attempt to solve puzzles, unlock mysteries, and find the secret to escape the room in less than 45 minutes. Mobile escape rooms provided by Puzzle Room Escape (puzzleroomescape.com).
Science Center CSI
Step into the shoes of a forensic scientist – but watch your step! Clues are hidden around every corner, waiting to be discovered, collected, analyzed, and matched to a potential suspect. Can you use your science skills to figure out whodunnit?
Like a BOSS!
Central FL Lighthouse for the Blind will be on-hand as we explore our career-related interests & skills. This job-prep workshop will be fun and educational, with real-life experiences shared by professionals with albinism. Get ready to WORK it at your next job interview!
Less STRESS, more CORE
Self-care & wellness is the focus of this session, with an emphasis on healthy practices for your mind and body. We’ll learn some mindfulness techniques led by Certified Child Life Specialist, Jocelyn Leworthy, that will come in handy as you navigate the stress and anxiety of school and relationships. Then yoga instructor, Diana McCown, will guide us through some poses to increase focus and build flexibility & strength.
We Don’t Talk About Bruno
But we DO talk about life with albinism and the people we love. This panel discussion led BY and FOR individuals with albinism and their siblings. It will be an opportunity to share your experiences and ask questions. You will connect with others who may have been in similar situations and learn how they have navigated through them. Just don’t bring Bruno.
Goose Chase at Disney Springs
Are you ready for a wild goose chase!? You’ll team up with friends and hit the streets of Disney Springs to complete a set of missions and earn points for your team before your time runs out. You’ll be searching for information and snapping selfies along the way to score your way to victory!
On a ROLL at Splitsville
Get ready to STRIKE it big at Disney Springs’ premier bowling alley. Our group will enjoy lunch at the lanes with a NOAH bowling party!