NY Nonprofit Business Examiner article .pdf – Jessica Guberman,  August 8, 2011

In its 5th Year, National Nonprofit hosts Surf Camp for Children with Autism

Community Options, a national nonprofit organization with the mission to develop homes and employment for people with disabilities, is proud to host its 5th Annual iMatter Surf Camp for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

This one-day, free camp will take place on Saturday, August 13, 2011 at 10am at Cupsogue Beach in Westhampton, New York. Started in 2007 by Community Options, the iMatter Surf Camp has become one of the most popular specialized surf camps on the East Coast for children with Autism.

In 2007, the camp started with twenty children and approximately thirty volunteers. Over the years, the camp has grown exponentially and this year, the organization has eighty registered children and hundreds of surf and land volunteers.

“We are very proud of the iMatter Surf Camp and the value it has for children with Autism and their families,” says, Robert Stack, President and CEO of Community Options.

“Families plan their entire summers around this one magical day and we are grateful for being a part of this community and for providing this service,” Stack added.

The camp also honors the late Kristen Bednar, a lead female volunteer for the camp since its inception that tragically passed last year in a snowmobile accident. Bednar’s family is highly involved in all aspects of the camp and enjoy spending the day with all of the children and their families.

For more information about Community Options, please visit them on their website or join the iMatter Surf Camp on their Facebook page.