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Kids’ Conference

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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 2024







Program Information

Rising Stars
Super Stars: Red Stars , Yellow Stars, Blue Stars
Directors ~ Producers

Rising Stars

6 mos. – kindergarten

Welcome to NOAH’s Rising Stars! 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 Rising Stars Coordinator ~ Beth Cope

Beth Cope has been supporting the NOAHCon Kids Conference Preschool Program since 2008, starting as an assistant group leader and now serving as the Preschool Program Leader. With a Master’s degree in Recreation Administration and degrees in Business Management as well as Recreation and Leisure Services, Beth works as a Pre-K teacher for Barnyard Buddies in Fremont, New Hampshire. Bringing over 30 years of experience working with children of all ages, Beth and NOAH’s Preschool Program team members are eager to provide our youngest conference attendees with an age-appropriate experience in a safe, caring environment.


Tentative Rising Stars Programming*:

*Please note: the activities listed below are subject to change

Friday:

Puppet Show – Hey Hey Entertainment
Who Framed The Big Bad Wolf

What a mess! Someone just blew down the three little pigs’ houses again. Who could’ve dunnit? All fingers point to the big bad wolf but he claims he’s innocent. It’s going to take Inspector Snoop and the help from the kids in the audience to solve this case!

Talewise Jr – Science Hero’s
Saving Earth Together

We will combine stories and science in this fun, interactive S.T.E.M. program! Join us on an adventure about Professor Noble and the Science Heroes, who must save their town — and the planet — from a super-polluting mastermind! The audience helps the performer act out the tale, as we use the events in the story to discover and explore exciting science concepts.

Story Time With Local Librarian

Story Time with Ms. Kelly who will visit from the Garden Grove Main library to share books and songs with us.

Saturday:

Baby Yoga
Bala Shala Yoga for Kids Studio

We use music, games, art, and props to stretch, increase strength, improve flexibility, and gain body awareness. There are also special breathing techniques that are proven to promote calmness and help with relaxation. Laughter is included!

Music with Ranger Jack

Musician, storyteller, and puppeteer, Ranger Jack specializes in songs about animals and will have children singing, dancing and acting like animals. All ages will be entertained and we expect the room to be filled with laughter.

Bubble Play
Best Bubble Parties

The Bubblist™ will perform a short show on the magic, art and science of bubbles with bubbles you’ve never dreamed of.

NOAH Bears

All children age 1 and over will make their own NOAH bear to take home. Each bear will wear a custom NOAH 2024 t-shirt. Children under 1 will have a bear made for them by older children.

Super Stars: Red Stars

1st & 2nd 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, ask a teen/adult with albinism, and much more! 

Meet the Super Stars Coordinator ~ 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, serving as an adoptive Parent Liaison, planning NOAH Family Camps as Camp Director, and supporting the NOAHCon Kids Conference as the Elementary Program Lead. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and is a Lead Teacher and Director II certified to work with young children. Tricia has obtained diverse additional credits in Education, Special Needs, Visual Impairments, Parent Advocacy, and Literary Education. 

Tricia brings over 40 years of experience working with children from infancy through the teenage years in school and extracurricular settings, and has served as the Early Childhood Literacy Teacher & Adult Program Coordinator for the Sandown Public Library since 2014.

Tentative Red Stars Programming*:

*Please note: the activities listed below are subject to change

Friday:

Talewise – Science Heros, Adventure of the Lost Treasure

Science and stories collide in this all new, interactive STEM show! Join us on a treasure-hunting adventure deep within the jungle! The audience helps the performer act out the tale, as we use the events in the story to explore several exciting science concepts: Air pressure, Energy transfer, Physical vs. chemical changes and more!

Space BINGO

Out of this world fun with our fast paced bingo game!

Magic Show
Hey Hey Entertainment

A high-energy show full of surprises. A silly comedy magic show, bunny included! A show sure to make kids’ faces light up with wonder and laughter. Be prepared to be amazed!

Drama Games with Casey!

We will be playing various acting improv games with NOAH’s own Casey Greer!

NOAH Bears

All children will stuff their own NOAH bear to take home. Each bear will wear a custom NOAH 2024 t-shirt.

Saturday:

Craft – “I am” collage

Each child will create their own collage that describes who they are with words around the shape of their hand.

Yoga

Bala Shala Yoga encourages kids to learn and grow through yoga, meditation, mindfulness, games, and fun. Bala is a Sanskrit word that means “young,” “powerful” and “childlike” often referring to youth. Shala is a Sanskrit word meaning “home” Therefore, a yoga shala is a gathering place for students of yoga to practice, share, experience, and grow.

Space Trivia

Let’s expand our knowledge of the cosmos and explore all things that go in space, planets, moons, spaceships, satellites, asteroids and more!

Singing Puppets with Ranger Jack

The Ranger Jack Show is a super fun interactive music & puppet experience! Ranger Jack is a one man band and puppeteer While engaging his audience with a fun and educational performance of children’s songs on piano and guitar, RangerJack will involve the children as they interact and sing along with his hilarious, hand crafted plush animal puppets.

Sun Protection

The What, Whys and Hows to protect our skin from the sun. UVA bead bracelets will be created to wear.

Super Stars: Yellow Stars

3rd & 4th 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, ask a teen/adult with albinism, and much more!

Meet the Super Stars Coordinator ~ 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, serving as an adoptive Parent Liaison, planning NOAH Family Camps as Camp Director, and supporting the NOAHCon Kids Conference as the Elementary Program Lead. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and is a Lead Teacher and Director II certified to work with young children. Tricia has obtained diverse additional credits in Education, Special Needs, Visual Impairments, Parent Advocacy, and Literary Education. 

Tricia brings over 40 years of experience working with children from infancy through the teenage years in school and extracurricular settings, and has served as the Early Childhood Literacy Teacher & Adult Program Coordinator for the Sandown Public Library since 2014.

Tentative Yellow Stars Programming*:

*Please note: the activities listed below are subject to change

Friday:

Quilt Squares

Each child will create a personally designed square in a cooperative effort to create a quilt for the NOAH Silent Auction.

Pokemon Game Show

Divided into 2 teams, each team will need to rely on cooperation while they attempt to match the Pokemon characters and answer fun trivia questions.

NOAH Bears

All children will stuff their own NOAH bear to take home. Each bear will wear a custom NOAH 2024 t-shirt.

Saturday:

Craft – Attitude is Everything Poster

A fun fuzzy velvet poster to make your own!

Ask a Teen with Albinism

Teens with Albinism share their experiences and answer questions from the group.

Sun Protection

The What, Whys and How to protect our skin from the sun. UVA bead bracelets will be created to wear.

Yoga
Bala Shala Yoga for Kids Studio

A non-competitive, safe, and fun program where kids can focus on physical fitness, building strength in developing bodies, social skills, and relaxation techniques. Partner and group work as well as yoga postures, fun games, mediation, breathing, and relaxation techniques that children can use at home, school or anywhere they are feeling overwhelmed or stressed.

Power – UP Program

Presented by Scott Feld M. C. P. C., a Master Certified professional coach and international bestselling author, whose mission is to bring empowerment tools to kids in fun, engaging ways. Scott will introduce kids to their own Inner Super Powers, with a focus on personal development and positive motivation.

Super Stars: Blue Stars

5th & 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, ask a teen/adult with albinism, and much more!

Meet the Super Stars Coordinator ~ 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, serving as an adoptive Parent Liaison, planning NOAH Family Camps as Camp Director, and supporting the NOAHCon Kids Conference as the Elementary Program Lead. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and is a Lead Teacher and Director II certified to work with young children. Tricia has obtained diverse additional credits in Education, Special Needs, Visual Impairments, Parent Advocacy, and Literary Education. 

Tricia brings over 40 years of experience working with children from infancy through the teenage years in school and extracurricular settings, and has served as the Early Childhood Literacy Teacher & Adult Program Coordinator for the Sandown Public Library since 2014.

Tentative Blue Stars Programming*:

*Please note: the activities listed below are subject to change

Friday:

Collaborative Geometric Canvas

Each child will design and create a canvas cube that will then be crafted together and be available for bidding at the NOAH silent auction.

NOAH Bears for Babies

Our oldest group will create NOAH bear to give to the babies in the PreK program. Each bear will wear a custom NOAH 2024 t-shirt.

Harry Potter Game Show
Hey Hey Entertainment

You have been summoned to Hogwarts, where the Tri-Trivia Tournament is about to begin. After the Sorting Hat puts you into House teams, each House competes in group challenges that will test your knowledge in all things Harry Potter. Join us to have fun, no expert knowledge needed.

Pokemon Game Show

Divided into 2 teams, each team will need to rely on cooperation while they attempt to match the Pokemon characters and answer fun trivia questions.

Ask an Adult with Albinism

An opportunity for preteens to ask a volunteer panel about adult life living with albinism.

Saturday:

Cooperative Chaos Competition with Extreme Fun

Guided by a professional DJ, children will be divided into teams and compete in physical, creative and trivia challenges, including birthday trivia, name that tune, finish the lyrics, dance battle, live mic, hoop wiggle, double limbo and more!

Out to Lunch

All 5 and 6th graders will receive an overview of O & M and discuss safety before heading to the California Classic, Coco’s Bakery (established in 1948) for lunch! Each child will be able to order and purchase their meal choice from Coco’s menu.

Cup Stacking Contest

How fast can you create a pyramid with 10 mini cups into four levels? Test your balancing skills!

Directors

Tweens (7th – 9th grade)

This July NOAH Tweens (“Directors”) will step out onto the red carpet inspired and empowered! Tapping into individual creativity to tell your story is the focus of this year’s 7-9th grade  conference. Students will learn from creative professionals across several disciplines about the ways they use their artistic expression to share their story, and they’ll get to create and explore new mediums themselves along the way. 

Meet the Directors Coordinator ~ Kimberly Paglia

Kimberly Paglia returns to the NOAH Conference Team for a second time 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 Directors Programming*:

Please note: the activities listed below are subject to change

Keynote Presentation: What is Your Story?

Meet director Jo Rochelle and actors Iyana LeShea and Jordan White from the film Jasmine is a Star to learn about the inspiration for this project and consider what story you would tell based on your own life.

Learn more about Jasmine is a Star at NOAHCon!

Improv Games

Get to know your team, and maybe even learn something new about yourself by playing some improv games. Are you ready to think on your feet? 

Drum Circle

Move to the beat of your own drum in this hands-on drumming activity. Students will learn about drumming as a means of expression and social connection as they participate in a drum circle. 

Orientation & Mobility: Going Mobile

Bill Adams will be on hand to teach us more about ways to use both Apple and Android to assist in getting around. Learn how you can enhance mobility through artificial intelligence when navigating inside and outside, and find out about GPS designed specifically fir those who are visually impaired.

Panel Discussion: Telling our Stories 

Meet the makers! What do this actor, author, musician, artist, and podcaster have in common? They’re all individuals with albinism who are using their creative voices to tell their stories. Join us for an engaging dialogue.

“Shine Bright with Confidence” hosted by Rare with Flair

Casey Greer and Cassandra Mendez are two best friends with Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome that have hosted a biweekly lifestyle podcast, “Rare with Flair,” since 2020. In their four years online, they’ve made episodes that touch on both the “rare” of living with disability and the “flair” of living life as fun-loving women. This session will touch on confidence, image, and self-love, sharing lessons learned as they’ve embraced living with disability.

Orientation & Mobility: Restaurant Skills

What kinds of things are good to know before visiting a new restaurant for the first time? What strategies can you use to navigate an unfamiliar dining room? How do you approach the menu and place your order? And tipping- what’s the norm? Learn how to have an independent dining experience from start to finish, and then practice these skills as you visit one of several restaurants at Anaheim Garden Walk.

Scavenger Hunt at Anaheim Garden Walk

Anaheim Garden Walk is an entertainment destination that blends dining, shopping, and entertainment. Explore the Garden Walk while competing in a scavenger hunt using the GooseChase app with your team!

Images of Self

Create a unique self-portrait that captures your spirit and communicates your individuality. The purpose of this project is not to focus on your outward appearance, but to show things that cannot be seen just by looking. 

Producers

Teens (10th – 12th grade)

This July, NOAH Teens (“Producers”) will step out onto the red carpet inspired and empowered! Tapping into individual creativity to tell your story is the focus of this year’s 10-12th grade conference. Students will learn from creative professionals across several disciplines about the ways they use their artistic expression to share their story, and they’ll get to create and explore new mediums themselves along the way. 

Meet the Producers Coordinator ~ Kimberly Paglia

Kimberly Paglia returns to the NOAH Conference Team for a second time 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 Producers Programming*:

*Please note: the activities listed below are subject to change

Keynote Presentation: What is Your Story?

Meet director Jo Rochelle and actors Iyana LeShea and Jordan White from the film Jasmine is a Star to learn about the inspiration for this project and consider what story you would tell based on your own life.

Learn more about Jasmine is a Star at NOAHCon!

Improv Games

Get to know your team, and maybe even learn something new about yourself by playing some improv games. Are you ready to think on your feet? 

Bioptic Driving

Learn about bioptic driver training, testing, and licensure across the U.S. 

Orientation & Mobility: Going Mobile

Bill Adams will be on hand to teach us more about ways to use both Apple and Android to assist in getting around. Learn how you can enhance mobility through artificial intelligence when navigating inside and outside, and find out about GPS designed specifically fir those who are visually impaired.

Panel Discussion: Telling our Stories 

Meet the makers! What do this actor, author, musician, artist, and podcaster have in common? They’re all individuals with albinism who are using their creative voices to tell their stories. Join us for an engaging dialogue.

“Shine Bright with Confidence” hosted by Rare with Flair

Casey Greer and Cassandra Mendez are two best friends with Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome that have hosted a biweekly lifestyle podcast, “Rare with Flair,” since 2020. In their four years online, they’ve made episodes that touch on both the “rare” of living with disability and the “flair” of living life as fun-loving women. This session will touch on confidence, image, and self-love, sharing lessons learned as they’ve embraced living with disability.

Orientation & Mobility: Restaurant Skills

What kinds of things are good to know before visiting a new restaurant for the first time? What strategies can you use to navigate an unfamiliar dining room? How do you approach the menu and place your order? And tipping- what’s the norm? Learn how to have an independent dining experience from start to finish, and then practice these skills as you visit one of several restaurants at Anaheim Garden Walk.

Mission Escape Games

Work together as a team to meet the challenge and escape from one of 3 uniquely themed escape rooms. Students will engage in problem-solving and cooperation with their peers. 

Images of Self

Create a unique self-portrait that captures your spirit and communicates your individuality. The purpose of this project is not to focus on your outward appearance, but to show things that cannot be seen just by looking.