Join our 2022 Summer Campference for young people living with rare genetic disorders

We are hosting FaceForward, our annual virtual Summer Campference for young people living with rare genetic disorders, from Thursday, July 7th to Sunday, July 10th, 2022. This FREE Next Step Campference is open to young people, ages 16-24.

Part camp, part conference, our FREE 4-day Summer Campference program fosters friendships and community with peers who “get it.” At a Next Step Summer Campference, you can:

Engage in educational workshops
Recharge with new friends
Join the music and art mayhem
Create fun, life-changing moments
Empower yourself with information and resources

Sounds good?! Spots for our popular Summer Campference program fill up fast so we encourage you to submit your application below as soon as possible to secure your spot! #SummerCampference

Questions?

Email Kepler Jeudy, Next Step Program Director, if you have any questions about our 2022 FaceForward Summer Campference program: kepler@nextstepnet.org.

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More Information Please!

Visitors to the website requesting more information. Created for those who want to ask questions, but don't want to fill out an application yet.

Name:*
Best Describes Me:*
- I am interested in programs for myself
- I am a parent or guardian and interested in programs for a loved one
- I am interested in making a donation
- I am interested in volunteer opportunities
- I work with awesome young people living with chronic illness and would love to connect them to some of Next Step's programs
Email:*
Cell Phone
I like to be contacted through:
- Phone call
- Text
- Email
I would like more information about:*

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Apply Now!

Fill out the application below if you are interested in joining our FREE 2022 Face Forward Summer Campference.

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Virtual Summer Campference Application 2022

What Virtual Campference are you applying for:*
- Cancer June 23rd-26th
- Rare Genetic Disorders July 7th-10th
- HIV+ July 21st-24th
Name*
First Last
Nickname or Preferred Name
Have you been to a Next Step Campference before?*
- Yes
- No
How did you hear about the Next Step Campference?*
- Website
- Another Participant
- Medical Staff
- Other
If "other" or "medical staff," please tell us how and include the name, position and hospital of the medical staff who referred you:*
Your Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Phone*
Alternate Phone
Email*
Preferred mode of contact?*
- Email
- Cell Phone (Call)
- Cell Phone (Text)
Do you give permission to add your number to our texting list?
- Yes! I want to hear what's going on and when I can join.
- No thanks.
We use this to let you know about upcoming events or offerings.
Current Occupation
Employer or School
Age
Birthday*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Pronouns (She/Her, He/Him, They/Them)
Hospital or Clinic where you receive medical care?
T-Shirt Size

Please indicate a Men's or Women's cut.
I have access to the following devices with both audio and visual capabilies:*
- Smart Phone
- Tablet
- Computer/Laptop
Campference will be 100% virtual this year. We will be using online video conferencing for our workshops and group time.
Are there are any special accommodations you would need (dietary, mobility, closed captioning, equipment, etc.)? Please explain:
What do you hope to get out of the Next Step Campference experience?
What topic(s) do you most want to learn about at Campference?
PARENT/GUARDIAN OR EMERGENCY CONTACT
Name*
First Last
Relationship
Phone
Email
Medical Overview
Diagnosis
Date of Diagnosis
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Are you on active Treatment?
- Yes
- No
Food Allergies & Reactions
If you were having a conversation with a friend, how would they know you were not doing well medically? How would you want them to support you?
At virtual campference, we like to create a safe space for "real conversations". The following questions will help us support you in that space.
Do you have a past history of experiencing challenges with managing your emotions during high stress or emotionally difficult times?
If yes, can you describe what that looks like/consists of for you (shutting down, self-harm, drinking, smoking, violence, etc.)
When you start to feel instense emotions, what healthy strategies do you find are helpful for dealing with those?
CONSENT AGREEMENT
AUTHORIZATION AND RELEASE This Consent Agreement, Authorization, and Release must be read and signed to be eligible to attend Next Step's Young Adult Campference. Since Next Step's campferences will be virtual this year, they will fall into the category of a virtual telehealth experience. I consent to engage in a virtual telehealth campference. I understand that a telehealth format can include using interactive audio, video, or data communications, emails, or telephone conversations. I understand that during the virtual campference there may be direct or indirect communication of my medical information, both orally and visually.
Please indicate:*
- I consent
- I do not consent
Community Agreement/Rules of Conduct
The young adult campference is a close-knit community; therefore we ask that you agree to a few things that will promote being together in a safe manner. Please sign this Community Agreement, which asks that you agree to conduct yourself ethically and respectfully while participating in the program:*
- 1. Delegates are to demonstrate a high degree of maturity and self-respect, taking into account the rights and feelings of others
- 2. Delegates should not be under the influence of alcohol or illicit substances while participating in the virtual campference
- 3. Delegates are to be present at all times during workshops—i.e. not engaging in any other conversations or activities (virtually or physically)
- 4. Delegates agree to maintain an environment that is private and free from distractions—(as much as you can control)
- 5. Delegates are to adhere to the virtual campference schedule—showing up on time for scheduled workshops and activities.
- 6. Delegates are expected to attend all scheduled virtual campference activities.
- 7. Suitable attire is to be worn during virtual campference workshops and activities
Please select as an indication that you will adhere to the code of conduct.
The Following Behaviors are grounds for Immediate Dismissal:*
- 1. Bullying. As defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Verbal bullying is saying or writing mean things. Social bullying involves hurting someone’s reputation or relationships and can include leaving someone out on purpose, telling other’s not to be friends with an individual, spreading rumors, embarrassing someone.
- 2. Missing more than half of the mandatory, scheduled virtual campference activities without prior approval or checking with Next Step staff
- 3. Being inebriated during virtual campference activities
Please select as an indication that you understand the behaviors that are unacceptable at the program.
Please indicate:*
- I agree to the community agreement
- I do not agree to the community agreement
PHOTO AND INFORMATION RELEASE
I give Next Step permission to photograph and use pictures or visual and/or audiotapes of me in professional or fundraising activities. On occasion, with this permission, participant photographs may be included on the Next Step website, on a bulletin board, video, newsletter, campference album, or in personal photographs. Next Step respects the privacy of participants and does not allow unauthorized visitors to photograph the campference or participants. In addition, by signing below, I give Next Step permission to give my name, address and/or phone number to groups or individuals wishing to support Next Step by inviting me to an event or by sending me information related to Next Step. This list will not be sold or given to anyone else for any other reason.
Please check appropriate box and provide your signature below:*
- I agree to the photo release
- I do not agree to the photo release
Please Sign
By signing below, I hereby acknowledge that I have read and fully understand the terms and expectations of the program. All information provided is current and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Name*
First Last
Date*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Please check this box to indicate that the above signature will serve as your electronic signature
- (Delegate or Legal Guardian if the Delegate is not over the age of 18)

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Next Step Summer Campferences are coming soon!

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; ROME Therapeutics @rome_tx ·

2 Jun 1664678358397878294

We’re proud to be co-sponsoring this weekend’s @kendallsquareorch #SymphonyforScience, an annual benefit concert supporting @nextstepfund’s programs for young adults with serious illness. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3MWA7ji

Reply on Twitter 1664678358397878294 Retweet on Twitter 1664678358397878294 1 Like on Twitter 1664678358397878294 2 Twitter 1664678358397878294

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Jun 3

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Just one day left to get your tickets for the 4th Annual Symphony for Science! Join us tomorrow at Boston’s Symphony Hall at 3pm to watch @kendallsquareorch perform

Grab your tickets in our top bio link

#kendallsquareorchestra #concert #BostonMA #SymphonyHall #livemusic #orchestra ...

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Jun 1

Open

Very exciting news! Our very own Kimberly Khare will be joining @kendallsquareorch conductor Kristo Kondakçi on @wgbh Jim and Margery show tomorrow afternoon!

Tune in to the show at 1:10pm to hear Kimberly and Kristo talk about the purpose of the Symphony for Science event, and how the Kendall Square Orchestra looks to build community through music.

#IBelieveInMe #WGBH #JimandLmargery #KendallSquareOrchestra #SymphonyForScience ...

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Next Step young participants say it best! Learn about the magic of our popular Summer Campference program from past attendees.

Upcoming Events

04 June

Symphony for Science 2023

Sunday, 03:00 PM

301 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA 02115 United States

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Join our 2022 Summer Campference for young people living with rare genetic disorders

More Information Please!

Virtual Summer Campference Application 2022

PARENT/GUARDIAN OR EMERGENCY CONTACT

Medical Overview

CONSENT AGREEMENT

Community Agreement/Rules of Conduct

PHOTO AND INFORMATION RELEASE

Please Sign

ExperienceNext Step

Next Step Summer Campferences are coming soon!

Upcoming Events

04 June

Symphony for Science 2023

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Experience
Next Step