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About Us
Special Needs Camps

HISTORY
More than twenty-five years ago, Catherine Jennings identified a need for programs that worked with children who wanted the same things as their peers, but needed some extra structure to accomplish those goals. That year, Talisman was born. "Cat" continued to develop the program, and in 1988 we became and remain fully accredited by the American Camping Association. Since that time, Talisman has continuously enhanced the quality of its programs, and has developed opportunities to fit the needs of both campers and parents. We have also developed options to serve our families throughout the year. The addition of our SIGHT programs in 2000 helped us better serve our families of children with Autism. More recently, the addition of our Discovery, Academics, and Academic Semesters programs have added other branches to the Talisman Family Tree. Each year we add new programs to better meet the needs and interests of our campers.

PHILOSOPHY
We are an experiential wilderness learning camp that offers children opportunities to develop physical and social competence in an atmosphere that encourages and supports self-regulation and self-direction. We believe that every child wants to do well, and that every child has unique strengths, struggles, and outlooks on life. In order to help each camper reach their potential, we must meet them as individuals and not attempt to fit them into one mold. Therefore, we use a variety of tools to guide our kids as strive to meet their needs in socially appropriate and fulfilling ways. We believe that structure and accountability are critical in this process, as are positive relationships and recognition of accomplishments, and that as a child's self-concept improves, he or she will make better decisions, relate better to others, and discover a more satisfying life.

PROFILES
Linda Tatsapaugh, Director
MS in Child and Youth Care Administration, Nova SE University; BA in Religion, Davidson College
Linda has been diredctor of Talisman Programs since 2001. Prior to that she worked at Stone Mountain School from its inception in 1991 to 2000, as a counselor, program director, human resources, and admissions director. She is an instructor in First Aid, CPR, life guarding, and crisis management. She thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1990, serves as the chair of the National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camps, and is the mother of a 8-year-old-son, Gable.

Aaron McGinley, Summer Camp Program Manager
MS (In Progress) Mental Health Counseling, BS Psychology and Human Services, University of Scranton
Aaron has been working with children with special needs for over a decade. During that time he has worked in residential treatment facilities, group homes, and hospitals. Aaron joined Talisman in 1998, serving as a Base Camp counselor and staff supervisor. He is a certified lifeguard. He is an instructor in first aid and CPR, suicide prevention, and crisis management.

Michael Thompson, Academic Semester Program Manager
B.A. in Sociology, Muskingum College
Michael joined the Talisman in 2007, bringing with him a wealth of experience working with youth. He has previously held the positions of field counselor and senior instructor with Stone Mountain School in Black Mountain, NC. Michael has also worked as an ongoing intervention caseworker with Muskingum County Children Services, working with adjudicated youth through the Muskingum County Juvenile Courts. Michael spends his spare time backpacking, climbing, and mountain biking with his dog Tripps, and is an accomplished foosball player.

Peter Weiss, NW Program Supervisor
MA in Mental Health Counseling, Argosy University, Seattle, WA; BA in Outdoor Leadership, Warren Wilson College, Asheville, NC
Peter Weiss is a licensed child and family therapist with over 10 years experience working with kids with special needs in wilderness and clinical settings. He has taught Adventure-Based Counseling at Antioch University in Seattle, is an Outward Bound Instructor Course graduate, and has been a certified EMT, Wilderness First Responder, Lifeguard, and First Responder Instructor. Pete and his wife and daughter live in Seattle, WA.

Chris Paul, Teen Program Supervisor
BS Psychology and BA Therapeutic Recreation, Rocky Mountain College
Aaron will be returning for his forth season at Talisman. At Rocky Mountain College, Aaron was the backpacking coordinator and winter travel coordinator for the recreation department where he facilitated climbing, backpacking, and trips for the students. Aaron is an Outdoor Educator graduate from the National Outdoor Leadership School. He was raised in Montana where he explored the mountains, valleys, and rocks Montana had to offer. Aaron is certified in CPR, Wilderness First Responder, and Avalanche One Rescue.

Mollly Shriver-Blake, Base Camp Program Supervisor
MSW, Catholic University: BA Sociology, College of Wooster
Molly has worked with children with special needs and at-risk behaviors since 2002. She has worked in school, after-school, and summer camp settings and enjoys the opportunity to see youth feel successful and learn to enjoy new activities. She came to Talisman last summer as a staff for the Teen's Tri-Adventure program and, after a school year as a field instructor at Stone Mountain School, she will return to camp as Base Camp Manager. Molly is a certified lifeguard, Wilderness First Responder, and Emergency Responder.