Chatter Matters Camp
Through our partnership with Variety - the Children's Charity of Wisconsin, graduate speech pathology students and other student volunteers and instructors host this overnight camp for children with special needs who use assistive communication devices and their immediate family members.
What makes Chatter Matters unique is that it’s just like a traditional summer camp, but the activities are fully adapted for AAC users ages 5-15. Through activities like arts & crafts, adaptive sports, games, bowling, a dance party, and a talent show, children learn to improve use of their communication device use. By allowing parents and siblings to attend, families have fun, create lasting memories, and bond with other families of children with special needs.
This camp is available to children ages 5-15 who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication and their families.
Thursday, June 15 - Sunday, June 18, 2023
Limited to 30 families. Max 6 immediate members per family. Check in is scheduled tentatively for 12:00 pm. Residence is scheduled tenatively for Ma'iingan Hall.
Apply for your family to attend
Families interested in attending should fill out an application form using the link below by noon, January 15, 2023. Families will be notified of approval and receive a registration link to provide a mailing address, email address, and the names, gender, ages, and t-shirt sizes of attending family members. Familes will be required to send a deposit for $100 within two weeks of notification in order to hold their spots. Payment should be mailed to UW-Whitewater, Continuing Education Services, Roseman 2005, 800 W Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190 and made out to UW-Whitewater. The $100 will be applied to the fee associated with the family’s attendance.
If we do not receive the deposit payment within two weeks, we will contact the next applicant on the waitlist and the family will be removed from the accepted attendees list. If families need more time to pay, email cesevents@uww.edu.
Cancellation is required in writing by emailing cesevents@uww.edu on or before May 1st, after which time the deposit becomes nonrefundable. The remainder of a family’s amount owed (minus any scholarship money or approved CLTS waiver funds) is also due May 1st.
Please direct questions to Dua Vang-Ramirez, Associate Executive Director for Variety - the Children’s Charity of Wisconsin at dua@varietywi.org or 262-777-2090, ext 108.
We do NOT accept walk-up registrations at event check-in.
Your online registration and payment are always safe and secure. We accept MasterCard and Visa credit card payments in our online registration system. We will NOT accept credit card payments over the phone. We will accept checks made out to "UW-Whitewater" and mailed to UW-Whitewater Camps and Conferences, 800 West Main Street, Room 2005 Roseman Hall, Whitewater WI 53190.
Confirmation Emails
Once you register to attend an event (including waitlisted), a confirmation email will be sent to your email account. Contact cesevents@uww.edu if you do not receive this confirmation email. You must have a working email address on file with us to be able to receive important announcements and updates about this event.
Camp Information Packet
Before you arrive to camp information will be available below three weeks prior to the start of camp. This information will include medication requirements (complete only if taking meds at this event), parking details, check-in and out times with locations, confirmed daily schedule, mailing address for camper mail, what to bring and other important information you will need to know before attending camp. If any medical information changes, it is your responsibility to notify Continuing Education Services at cesevents@uww.edu.
Cost Information
Fees
All participants are expected to remain on campus for the full duration of the camp.
- AAC user: $400
- Additional family members, including siblings between the ages of 3-16 years: $400 per person. Children 35 months (at the time of camp) and under, FREE, but must stay with parents full time.
- Up to 6 members per family will be allowed
A limited number of scholarships funds will be available through Variety - the Children’s Charity of Wisconsin. To become a Variety family, please contact Dua Vang-Ramirez at Dua@VarietyWi.org or 262-777-2090. Ext 108.
WI Residents: The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is an approved provider for Children’s Long-Term Support Program (CLTS) grants through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and those funds may be used accordingly. Contact your case workers if interested.
Fees Include: The camp fee covers lodging, meals, instruction, activities, camp t-shirts, and insurance.
Resident Camper at Ma'iingan Hall
Participants will be staying in the air-conditioned Ma'iingan Hall pods located on the UW-Whitewater campus. The pods consists of 2 two-person bedrooms, closets, and a bathroom/shower.
Families who are selected to attend Chatter Matters! Communication Camp will be required to send a deposit for $100 within two weeks of notification in order to hold their spots. Payment should be mailed to UW-Whitewater, Continuing Education Services, Roseman 2005, 800 W Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190 and made out to UW-Whitewater. The $100 will be applied to the fee associated with the family’s attendance.
If we do not receive the deposit payment within two weeks, we will contact the next applicant on the waitlist and the family will be removed from the accepted attendees list. If families need more time to pay, email cesevents@uww.edu.
Cancellation is required in writing by emailing cesevents@uww.edu on or before May 1st, after which time the deposit becomes nonrefundable. The remainder of a family’s amount owed (minus any scholarship money or approved CLTS waiver funds) is also due May 1st.
Sponsorships & Awards Redemption
For those participants who will be receiving a sponsorship to attend this event: Register and use the promo code your sponsor gave you. The sponsorship will be deducted from your invoice. Any remaining balance remains the participant's responsibility. Any cancellations will result in the sponsorship funds being returned to the supporting organization.
Any qualifying discounts given by the event will not be applied after you have paid in full. Be sure to use the promo code during checkout to receive your discount. You will be charged if you do not qualify for requested discount at the start of event.
A processing fee will be assessed if a refund is issued due to overpayment on your account.
Questions, received an award/scholarship without a promo code or want to use two promo codes? Please call Continuing Education Services at 262-472-3165 or email cesevents@uww.edu before registering to avoid overpayment fees.
Want to Sponsor a Registrant?
You can sponsor a registrant and cover all or partial fees. We have received requests in the past from schools, companies, organizations, friends and family members that would like to send their chosen registrant to a specific event. If you would like to sponsor a registrant, you can request a promo code that you may give to your chosen registrant. Click here for more details.
Additional Parent and Sibling Scholarship
A limited number of scholarships funds will be available through Variety - the Children’s Charity of Wisconsin. To become a Variety family, please contact Dua Vang-Ramirez at Dua@VarietyWi.org or 262-777-2090. Ext 108.
Let us know how we can help! Contact us any time via chattermatters@uww.edu.
"We absolutely loved Chatter Matters! I love being able to talk to other families, talk about problems and figuring out solutions. We all may have different situations, but to come together is the best feeling ever! This camp has been a big eye opener for my child, he's able to see that he's not the only one using a AAC device and it encourages us to both use it more." - Karina, Variety Kid Adrian's mom
Arrival Information
Check in and Orientation
Campers must check in at the location mentioned in the Camp Information Packet. Clinicians will be available to help families get settled into their rooms.
Campus Map with Travel Times
Click here to download walking travel map on campus.
Driving Directions
Directions to the campus can be found online by clicking here. A campus map can be found here. Campus building addresses can be found here.
Parking
Parking details will be available in the Camp Information Packet. Notice: All campus parking lots require a parking permit. Failure to follow parking regulations will result in a fine. More information is available on the Visitor Center website.
By registering for an event, you agree to our Registration Terms and Conditions. UW-Whitewater will hold all registrants responsible for their conduct. Serious misconduct or disruption will lead to immediate dismissal from event. Registrants dismissed from the event will not receive a refund. Please review the Terms and Conditions for more details.
We will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is committed to equal opportunity in its educational programs, activities and employment policies, for all persons, regardless of race, color, gender, creed, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, marital status, Vietnam-era veteran status, parental status and pregnancy.
If you have any disabling condition that requires special accommodations or attention, please advise us well in advance. We will make every effort to accommodate your special needs.
By registering for this event you understand that the University may take photographs and/or videos of event participants and activities. You will be required to agree at the time of registration that the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater shall be the owner of and may use such photographs and/or videos relating to the promotion of future events. You will relinquish all rights that you may claim in relation to use of said photographs and/or videos. Any media shared with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on social media or use of its hashtags grants the University use to media for any purpose.
Insurance
Registrants are encouraged to have their own health insurance as accident insurance provided by the University is limited. Each registrant will be covered by a limited accident insurance policy. The insurance includes primary coverage up to $10,000. Insurance does not cover pre-existing injuries and is for accidents only. The cost of insurance is included in the registration fee.
Event Schedule
Check-in and out times, along with locations and a confirmed daily schedule, will be available in the camp information packet approximately 3 weeks prior to the start of camp. Contact Continuing Education Services at cesevents@uww.edu with any questions.
Kachel Fieldhouse
The 50,000 square foot space is an all-purpose facility that performs numerous functions for members of the campus and community.
Converse Track is a 200 meter Beynon BSS 1000 synthetic surface (Hobart encapsulated), eight lanes in the straightaways and six in the turns, where ¼ inch pyramid spikes are used. There is a 130 foot long jump runway, with the pit ten feet from the board, and an unlimited triple jump runway with boards at 28, 32, 36, and 40 feet, and wood boards at 28 and 36 feet. The pole vault has a 120 foot runway, and there are two rings for throwing events, both with laser measuring.
The fieldhouse also houses four multi-purpose courts for indoor tennis. That facility was redone in 2012 with a tennis friendly surface to slow the bounce down to a more true tennis bounce. Baseball and softball do some of their off-season work in the fieldhouse and indoor batting cages and mounds help out when inclement spring weather occurs. The Warhawk volleyball team also uses the fieldhouse, with tournaments occupying several courts in addition to Russell Arena. The fieldhouse can also set up four basketball courts for general recreation or intramurals.
Greenhill Center of the Arts
Greenhill Center of the Arts is the largest academic building on campus, housing the departments of art, music and theatre/dance. Home to the Barnett Theatre, Crossman Gallery, Hicklin Studio Theatre, Light Recital Hall, and van Steenderen Family Atrium.
