Children with Autism Ready to Hang Ten on Miami Beach

Miami Beach, FL – Making new friends, the occasional wipeout and even noodle arms are all part of the fun when the City of Miami Beach Parks and Recreation Department partners with the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) to host the 16th Annual Surf Camp for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) between March 25-29. This year’s Autism Surf Camp is made possible by the generous support of Mowi USA, LLC.

“Everyone who spends time with the children in this beautiful event comes away with a profound feeling of joy,” said Miami Beach City Manager Alina Hudak. “The kids look forward to coming here all year long and so do the lifeguards who make sure everyone remains safe in the water.”

Children will spend the week focusing on swimming skills, basic oceanography, meteorology, open water surfing and developing their own abilities. The educational component of the camp will be held at South Pointe Park while the surfing component will be held on the beach adjacent to the park.

The event has been held every year since 2008 with the exception of two years during the pandemic.

“We are honored to be co-hosting the 16th annual Autism Surf Camp with our remarkable partners at the Miami Beach Parks and Recreation Department,” said Dr. Michael Alessandri, CARD executive director. “Each year, this unique collaboration positively impacts the lives of our campers, their families, our counselors and volunteers. The commitment of Miami Beach to programming for those with unique abilities has been unwavering and we are delighted to keep building on this partnership in this and other ways going forward.”

ASD is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn and behave, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life.

WHAT:            Surf Camp

WHEN:            9 a.m. daily from March 25-29, 2024

WHERE:         South Pointe Park

1 Washington Ave.

Day of Media Contact: Michelle Costa, Communications & Community Outreach CARD Manager: 305.301.4387

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About CARD

CARD stands for the Center for Autism & Related Disabilities at the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University. CARD’s mission is to provide support and assistance with the goal of optimizing the potential of people with autism and related disabilities.

CARD offers support at no cost to families within the natural contexts of settings, including the home, child care programs and schools, businesses, and the larger community, and provides this support across the entire lifespan, from early childhood to adulthood. CARD in collaboration with The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation, supports adults on their journey to find meaningful employment and works with South Florida companies to create these opportunities. CARD empowers the community with training and resources to make their places and spaces more inclusive through its Autism Friendly Initiative. CARD serves families and individuals in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe Counties. To learn more, visit www.card.miami.edu.

CARD is part of a statewide network of seven CARD centers at leading universities throughout Florida, including the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University in South Florida.

To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).