The FOP Family Fun Zone sponsored by Ipsen is the designated childcare space for attendees under the age of 18 at the 2024 Family Gathering. We're excited to announce that the Fun Zone will be split into two separate rooms (Fun Zone and Teen Zone) for this year's event. The Teen Zone will provide a more private space for teens (ages 13-18) to hang out if they would like to enjoy time outside of the Fun Zone.
Please note, any child under the age of 2 who would like to visit the Fun Zone must remain with a parent or guardian.
Our Fun Zone staff and volunteers provide a variety of activities to create a safe space for children with FOP and their siblings to connect, have fun and learn new skills while they attend the Family Gathering. From science experiments and animal education activities to guided meditations and emotional regulation skill-building, there's something for kids of all ages!
Meet the Staff of the Fun Zone sponsored by Ipsen
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Alexis Gonzales holds a Master’s Degree in Recreational Therapy from Temple University. She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) and Child Life Specialist (CCLS). Alexis works at Weisman Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital where she enhances the abilities and independence of children through leisure and play to reduce the effects of illness and disability. She ensures children’s social, emotional, physical, and developmental needs are met though a variety of activities to achieve greater overall health and well-being. As a sibling of child with FOP, Alexis has been involved with the IFOPA since 2018. She has acted as the leader of the Fun Zone during the 2018 and 2019 Family Gatherings by facilitating activities for children with FOP and their siblings for entertainment, team building, and to foster friendships. Alexis works closely with Hope Newport, IFOPA Family Services Manager to help provide resources and services for the FOP community. |
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| Sabrina Salas is a Certified Child Life Specialist from New Jersey. She works at a children’s hospital in the behavioral health field. This is Sabrina's first time joining us at the Family Gathering but she is excited to meet many new faces and be a part of the FOP community. |  |
Preliminary Schedule of the Fun Zone sponsored by IpsenThursday, November 7th |
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Meet and Greet 5:00 to 7:00 pm |
Come explore the Fun Zone space, meet our incredible staff in person and pick up a craft to bring with you to dinner that night. |
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Friday, November 8th |
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8:45 to 9 a.m. |
Icebreaker/Team Building Activities |
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9 to 10 a.m. |
Butterfly Pavillion Outreach Program: Bug Safari: Meet invertebrates from environments around the globe, hear about their characteristics, where and how they live, and why they are important in our world. |
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10 to 11 a.m. |
Play Exploration: Enjoy a variety of sensory, art and building activities at your own pace. A few examples of our exploration stations include: duplo lego blocks, manga tiles, train tracks, coloring, stamps, stencils, board games, books and much more! |
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11 to 12:30 pm |
Adaptive Equipment with the IFOPA’s Melissa Davis: The IFOPA's Family Services Coordinator will be joining us to share how adaptive equipment can be incorporated into fun activities like sidewalk chalk |
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12:45 to 1:45 pm |
Lunch |
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1:45 to 3:30 pm |
Afternoon Movie: Inside Out 2 |
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3:30 to 4:15 pm |
Children's Museum of Denver: World Dance and Drumming: Take a journey around the world to learn about drums and dancing from diverse cultures. Students will try different drums in this interactive musical adventure combining geography, arts and culture. |
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4:15 to 5:30 pm |
Fieldtrip with Parents to visit our friends from the Denver Pet Project who have brought their therapy animals to teach us about the benefits of the human-animal bond and the field of animal-assisted interventions (AAI). |
| Approximately 7 pm |
On Friday evening after dinner, Teen Zone attendees are invited to visit the nearby Dave and Busters as a group. The IFOPA will provide transportation and two parents of teens will be accompanying the group as chaperones. |
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Saturday, November 9th |
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8:45 to 9 a.m. |
Icebreaker/Team Building |
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9 to 10 a.m. |
Coloring with Kimi: Emotional Expression Activity led by Kimi Shields |
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10 to 11 am |
Scavenger hunt: We'll be exploring our space and a few new spots to find objects based on clues provides by staff! |
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11 am to 12 pm |
Tactile Time: We'll wind down after our big scavenger hunt adventure with some sensory play. Play-doh, slime and water beads are just a few of our sensory-based supplies! |
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12:15 pm |
Fun Zone Wrap Up and Good-Byes |
The Fun Zone and Teen Zone are made possible with support from Ipsen.
