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Summer Programs Staff and Volunteer Guide
Summer Volunteers Needed for 14 yrs old and up- Apply Here
Why should I choose YESS
The YESS program offers opportunities that no other program can. Through the unique collaboration between AbilityPoint, Wichita’s USD 259, The Wichita Department of Park and Recreation, Sedgwick County, YESS can provide education, recreation, and socialization in a community setting. There is no other program like YESS in the nation. What YESS offers students, families, and the community is a chance to develop friendships, build self-esteem, independence and personal growth.
Why Summer School?
Special Education teachers spend approximately 85% of the fall quarter re-teaching what was lost over the summer. In YESS, students can continue in an educational setting, maintaining what they learned while developing new social skills. The students are challenged through fun educational activities relating to a weekly theme. The themes provide a common goal to all the classes and make for an exciting learning environment. These themes unleash the students’ and teachers’ creativity and the results are always exciting.
Registration
All participants need to set up an account in Camp InTouch and complete all necessary paperwork before they can attend. If you’d like to apply to register for activities, click here.
Anyone needing assistance can contact our program staff at 943-1191.
Already Have an Account?
If you already have an account set up and need to access your portal, please click here.
Is Socialization Important?
Socialization is a key component of the YESS program. Every day we interact with people in a variety of social settings. Through these experiences we have developed social skills, the manner in which we communicate with and behave towards others. Social skills are learned over time through experience. YESS offers these experiences everyday in community settings. Each day the students will participate in many fun activities ranging from swimming, horseback riding, and movies; to trips to Exploration Place, Worlds of Fun and the Kansas Cosmosphere. These activities not only provide socialization, but make lasting memories.
Scholarships & Funding Options
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver for Personal Care Services: Can only be applied to staffing costs.
Family Support Dollars: Apply for through SCDDO, if you do not have HCBS waiver. Can only be applied to staffing costs.
Children’s Miracle Network: $1000 grant. You could qualify if you have physicians in the Via Christi Network. The grant can be applied to staffing and program costs
Private Scholarship Dollars: Due to generous community supporters we have some funds that we can allocate for scholarships based on need.
What Else Should I Know?
USD 259 is requiring two USD 259 students for every one out of district student in the educational component of the YESS program. USD 259 students are needed to enroll.
YESS offers morning education that is not IEP driven but keeps the kids exposed to learning in a fun environment to minimize educational losses over the summer, if you’d like to choose it.
YESS also offers late night and overnight opportunities; Family Nights & the Volunteer to Work Program.
