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22 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday May 4, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com YMCA holds open house for summer camp May 12 The fun. The friends. The new experiences. Join us at the Y for our YMCA of Oakville Summer Camp Open House on Saturday, May 12 and see what all the excitement is about. At the Y, we believe that all children deserve to participate in Y programs and services, especially the children's favourite ­ Y Summer Camp! Michelle Zammit is happy that this is the case, because Y Reading | Writing | Math | Spelling | Grammar | French | Study Skills Little Readers Registration NOW OPEN LITTLE READER INSIDE EVERY CHILD IS A SUCCESSFUL STUDENT. For every age, for every need, Oxford Learning has a program to help your child succeed! Diagnostic Assessments Individualized Programs Enrichment Programs Confidence & Motivation Pre-K to Grade 12 Better Grades Voted Best Learning Centre camp is a big part of the summer for her daughter Vanessa, who has participated for six years. Vanessa is a child with special needs ­ she has a PDD disability of the autistic type, and requires one-on-one assistance at Y camp ­ but this does not curb the fun and it does not prevent Vanessa from joining in. She is a regular at the Y's Adventure Tour Camp, where she tours the city, visiting popular attractions like the African Lion Safari, Wild Water Works, and Ontario Place. "The Y has been really great," said Michelle, who is a single mom and also mother of Alexander, age 16. "They know to try to get the same counsellors for at least two weeks in a row, because it takes a long time to get to know her." Vanessa speaks primarily in two-word phrases when she makes a request, so Michelle commented that there needs to be a real connection, and the counsellor needs to watch and listen to her closely ­ body language is important. She recalled one year where Vanessa was very reluctant to try a particular ride at Canada's Wonderland. "The counsellor got her on the ride, and that's huge. She actually got her past the point of fear. "The counsellors are all friendly with Vanessa, whether or not she is friendly back. They always give her 100 per cent regardless. That warms my heart." The other kids at camp enjoy Vanessa, too, says Michelle. "There are always a couple of other kids at camp that like to help her out. She doesn't always respond verbally ­ sometimes just with a laugh or a smile - and they are still good to her." Michelle was thankful for the support that she has received from the Y, particularly from the Manager of Community Services, Lynne Evans. "They've given Vanessa opportunities and challenged her. They get along really well with her and I know that I can call Lynne or talk to the counsellors if I have a concern." "The Y camp has changed our world for the summer. When Vanessa is in camp, I can work a full day, whereas during the school year I can only work during her school hours." Building strong kids and strong families at Y Summer Camp. It's what we do. For more information about YMCA of Oakville Summer Camps, join us on May 12 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm for our Open House at 410 Rebecca Street, go to www.ymcaofoakville.com, or call us at the Y at 905-845-3417. Vanessa receives fee assistance from the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign and donations to this campaign are welcome at 905845-5597, ext 317. -- Submitted by the oakville YMCA. A better future for your child starts here! Contact us today for more information. www.oxfordlearning.com 1131 Nottinghill Gate, Oakville (905) 469-1929 380 Dundas St. E. Oakville (905) 257-1207 Maple Grove Village 511 Maple Grove Dr. Suite 2, Oakville (905) 849-4027 State of the arts in Canada By Lauren Maharaj GR. 12, HOLY TRINITY We dare you to compare your insurance rates. $1,098.00 /year 00 $4,513./year Art to me is a divine energy that inspires the human mind. It's an almost new descriptive language that sometimes only the artist can read. It is something that has no boundaries. When I first determined that my greatest passions were writing and acting, I had no idea of the challenge these highly crowded careers presented. It's fair to say that acting and writing opportunities within Canada are as limited as in other countries, but as a first world country with great beauty, population and a melting pot of flying minds, Canadians should have a greater chance of being recognized by the world. I am no expert in all facets of art, but I do excel in some fields. I do feel that because of where I live, the chances of ever being hailed for my talents are diminished. It's a shame to hear every day of a writer, painter, or actor, and know that they may be one of those millions of skyrocket talents, who You may be paying 4 times higher, over 300% more for the same thing. Instantly compare what you're paying to over 30 other insurance company rates. InsuranceHotline.com arranges them by price, and gives you the 3 lowest. Rates between insurance companies can vary by 100's, even 1,000's of dollars. Jump on-line and compare. Plus your quote will be emailed to you, instantly. You'll be shocked how much savings you'll find in less than a few minutes. European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship will never achieve the fame they deserve. Now I realize there are a handful of hopefuls who move to the United States in search of their chariot to the red carpet, or Oprah's book club, but even those people have to compete with those who already live there. And the worst part is, those already implanted competitors in line behind and in front of you have been waiting in line years before you showed up. As a young artist, I don't want to crush the dreams of those other aspiring artists, I just want see a society in which we see a variety of ways to start out paths and eventually, if we are passionate enough to really hold on to our talents, achieve some level of success. Getting somewhere doesn't always mean Hollywood, somewhere could mean a humble and discreet apartment building in Toronto, where you are productive on a play for 10 hours a day and perform 30 shows the following month. It could also mean being able to achieve a reasonable standard of living, full stomach and still feeling alive enough because you adore your unemployment as you write a book. This passion is a subject for hardship, expression and commitment, where even if you have climbed that mountain, still nobody's coming to get you from the top; it's your job to get back down. This leaves me with thinking that there are so many faceless artists who deserve to be lifted off that mountain here in Canada. Why? The answer to that is because they've climbed it with great difficulty and after injury they are still committed to their art and wish to project their message. AUTOMOBILE · MOTORCYCLE · MARINE · HOME L I F E · H E A LT H · TRAVEL · COMMERCIAL "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" BERTIN STABLES Spring Lessons & Summer Camps · Weekday Lessons 4/$107 or $35/Lesson · Saturday at Farm 10am-3pm $40 (Children 5-12 yrs.) NOW BOOKING InsuranceHotline.com Putting money back in your pocket. 905.849.0266 (905) 827-4678 www.bertinstables.com