If you’re local to the Philadelphia area and have kids, you know all about Sahara Sam’s Oasis, the awesome indoor-outdoor water park in West Berlin, NJ. But did you know that they hold a very special event once a quarter just for special needs children? The event, Special Evenings at Sam’s, or SEAS, is a great time for families and it provides a judgment-free environment for individuals with special needs and their friends and family.
The fourth and final quarterly SEAS event for 2014 will be held this Friday, Nov. 14th from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. and will include a special guest, Duncan, the Pine Hill Fire Department dog.
“A big part of our special needs safety education program is ensuring individuals with special needs can not only identify public safety figures but also feel comfortable engaging them,” said Annie Peters, Executive Director of the SAMBULANCE program. “Having the Pine Hill Fire Department here and Duncan helps further that mission and also aids in fostering confidence in future interactions.”
To help create a comfortable environment for individuals with specials needs attending SEAS events, changes are made to the water park, including: modified music and lighting, limited ticket availability for an intimate experience and, the option for guests with dietary restrictions to bring in their own food.
SEAS events have been a staple of Sahara Sam’s community program efforts since 2010. To date, the indoor and outdoor water park has hosted 23 SEAS for the special needs community.
“Our non-profit program, the SAMBULANCE, is focused on safety; whether it’s at home, at school or in the water,” said Peters. “And, ensuring our community is knowledgeable about water safety is something Sahara Sam’s has championed since they opened to the public five years ago.”
To learn more about Special Evenings at Sam’s including the operational modifications made to accommodate individuals with special needs visit www.sambulance.org/specialneeds. Families interested in attending can purchase tickets online or at the park.
