Wrightsville Beach hosts 3rd Annual World Autism Awareness Weekend April 20-22
Wrightsville Beach, N.C. … Is your loved one on the spectrum? In North Carolina alone, as many as 60,000 families are impacted by autism. April 20-22, Wrightsville Beach invites these families and the public to participate in the 3rd Annual World Autism Awareness Weekend.
Weekend Schedule:
Friday, April 20 – Arrive and connect with old friends and make new ones. Stroll the beach, play games on the oceanfront lawn, enjoy gluten-free and special menu options available at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort, host hotel, and register for Saturday’s 5k and fun run/walk events.
Saturday, April 21 – Participate in two major events:
8:30 a.m. the 2nd Annual Coastal N.C. Run/Walk at Mayfaire Town Center includes three events: a 5k race, 1 mile fun-run and kid’s dash. Proceeds support autism services. Sponsored by the Autism Society of North Carolina and GHA Autism Supports.
11a.m. to 4 p.m. Surfers Healing presents Family Day in Wrightsville Beach Park. Experience a day of hands-on kids’ activities, networking and resource sharing. Booths will feature children’s activities like board waxing, face painting, fishing, corn toss and more. A miniature skate park is featured along with sensory and calming toys. IndoJax Surf Charity and Lighthouse Beer and Wine will sponsor bounce houses, and Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue lifeguards will be on hand with water safety equipment and instruction tips. Booths will be hosted by the Autism Society of North Carolina; A.skate.org; Family Support Network; NC Aquarium; N.C. Chapter of Surfers Healing; Ocean Cure; S.H.A.R.E.; TEACH; Wilmington Children’s Developmental Services Agency; Oasis, Exceptional Friends Network and the American Red Cross. Bilingual information will be available.
Sunday, April 22 – Water and skating activities:
Families may select from games on the oceanfront lawn, offered all day, or water activities at the Blockade Runner beginning at 10 a.m. and continuing until everyone is happy! Kayaks and equipment will be provided by Hook, Line and Paddle for those who wish to paddle scenic Banks Channel. Captain Joe Abbate, the Cape Fear Naturalist, will offer scenic and comfortable water cruises aboard The Shamrock. See Banks Channel, Motts Channel, Money Island and hear stories told by Captain Joe. Sunday morning buffet and a mid-day seaside cookout will be available.
For skating fans, A.skate is sponsoring a clinic at the Double Wide Skate Barn in Hampstead 9 to 11 a.m. The camp is fully booked, but Autism Weekend participants are encouraged to come and cheer these talented skaters!
The goal of World Autism Awareness Weekend at Wrightsville Beach is outreach, inclusion and awareness, and to provide activities and festivities for children on the autism spectrum and supply networking and resource opportunities for their parents and other family members. World Autism Awareness Month (April) was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007.
Contacts:
John Pike, North Carolina Surfers Healing Camp Director
(910) 471-7453 surfershealingnc@yahoo.com www.surfershealing.org
Heather Hargrave, Autism Society of North Carolina
Coastal NC Run/Walk for Autism Coordinator
(800) 442-2762 (ext. 1106) hhargrave@autismsociety-nc.org
www.coastalncrunwalkforautism.org
Host Hotel:
Blockade Runner Beach Resort (Special room rate available. Limited availability. Specify World Autism Awareness Weekend. Special menus available.)
800-541-1161 www.blockade-runner.com
