Tennessee
Some kids with disabilities unable to attend Tennessee summer camp due to new guidelines
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Some Middle Tennessee parents are in a bind after they were told their child couldn’t go to summer camp last minute. They are now trying to juggle a job while watching their kid with special needs.
Almost 10-year-old Landon Mitchell loves to be in the water. All around, he’s a cool kid, which is what his mom, Nichole Mitchell, admires about him.
“He is a joy,” she said. “He is very social, he loves being around people, high energy.”
Landon Mitchell is also autistic and non-speaking. His mom said he was supposed to return to Camp Widjiwagan in Antioch starting this week. It’s a YMCA camp the disability nonprofit, Easterseals Tennessee, has a day program with.
“But unfortunately, we got those letters last week that said they are not able to continue those services,” said Nichole Mitchell.
The letter was from Easterseals to parents discusses a new limit that restricts camper from attending and leaves parents with no options.
“Within 48 hours it was like “you’re going to be working from home for the next five weeks, figure it out”,” explained Nichole Mitchell.
The letter said due to changes in YMCA guidelines, Easterseals must limit how many of their kids can go.
“Things abruptly stopped when the ratio was switched up with the number of counselors and campers,” explained Nichole Mitchell.
The message said the YMCA now requires each camper to have a counselor, which Easterseals said they could not provide due to staffing.
WSMV4 asked the YMCA why they made the change.
In a statement, the YMCA said:
“Our YMCA is honored to work with Easterseals to make summer camp opportunities possible for the young people they serve.
As has been the arrangement for many years, Easter Seals provides staff for their campers in order to ensure proper and specialized supervision based on the specific needs of their children while utilizing our Camp Widjiwagan facility.
The YMCA maintains a set of standards required of external groups and has worked with Easter Seals to review those standards to ensure the safest environment possible for campers.
Those expectations, including camper-to-staff ratios, were communicated nearly a month ago. It is our understanding Easter Seals mailed letters to parents regarding their camp guidelines explaining how this may have affected their child’s enrollment as a result.”
– K. Dawn Rutledge, Ed. D. Director of Communications for YMCA of Middle Tennessee
“It’s almost a disservice whenever we have to parent and work simultaneously,” said Nichole Mitchell.
She said while she is blessed to be able to work from home, it’s not ideal. She added she wishes there were more options for children like Landon.
Easterseals said in the letter families would be reimbursed if they were unable to attend Camp Widjiwagan. They plan to work with the YMCA to enhance the program next summer.
Copyright 2024 WSMV. All rights reserved.
Tennessee
Three NFL Draft Fits for Tennessee Football Cornerback Jermod McCoy
Tennessee football star Jermod McCoy is the player who will likely hear his name called first from the Tennessee program in the upcoming NFL Draft. There are many teams he would fit well, but these three teams are the teams I believe he is the best fit with at this moment.
1. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are in need of a cornerback in the draft class, and they are likely to spend one of their first two picks on one. They are selecting at No. 12 and No. 20 in the draft as of now, and McCoy could hear his name called. He would be joining a decent group of cornerbacks, but he would be an immediate starter, likely alongside a later selection that they make with a cornerback.
It would be shocking if the Cowboys pass on him if they select at 12 and he is still on the board. McCoy would be an immediate starter and would be someone who could shut down a whole side of the field for the Cowboys early in his career.
2. Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins is one of the better fits for Jermod McCoy, and it would make the most sense, as the Dolphins could use almost every position after a major haul of their players. They are in a major rebuilding phase and drafting at No. 11 leaves many to believe that McCoy could be in play.
McCoy would likely be their No. 1 cornerbakc the day he got to the franchise, and would have the chance to dominate the way he did in his one season on the field with the Vols. This selection would depend on who drops out of the first ten selections. If he is one of the better players remaining (highly likely) he very well could hear his name called at pick 11.
3. New York Jets
The New York Jets have the chance to be very good when it comes to the draft, as they are drafting at both No. 2 and No. 16. I believe they will be looking to get a cornerback with their No. 16 pick, which would make a lot of sense considering they had to get rid of Sauce Gardner.
McCoy would be the perfect replacement, as they could find themselves in one of the better situations on the defensive side of the football. He can shutdown a side of the field, and I would bet that he would be a great fit with the Jets because of that exactly.
Follow
Tennessee
Nashville Sounds and Autism Tennessee partner to host inclusive Beyond the Label Day for local children
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — At a ballpark built for noise, there is space for something quieter.
During the Nashville Sounds’ “Beyond the Label Day,” kids are learning, playing and experiencing baseball in a way that works for them. Autism Tennessee volunteers stepped in to guide kids through sensory play designed to calm and focus.
From spinning toys to textured fidgets, these tools help turn overwhelming moments into manageable ones. Children engaged with the activities, pointing out shapes like a circle, noticing items like candies, and expressing how nice the experience was.
Adam English, general manager of the Nashville Sounds, said making space for everyone is the goal, even as the stadium announcer calls another Sounds strikeout.
“It’s important for us to raise awareness about autism, but also just make sure that First Horizon Park is an inclusive place for everybody” English said.
The Sounds stadium even has a sensory room for families at every game.
“There’s huge baseball fans that sometimes shy away because of loud crowds and we want to make sure every game out here available” English said.
For Autism Tennessee leaders like Jessica Moore, days like this are about more than awareness. They are about belonging.
“Typically events like this can be super overwhelming… so this is just a way for people to feel like they can come and still be successful” Moore said.
What are your thoughts on making sports venues more inclusive for all fans? Watch the video to see the sensory room in action, and share your experiences with me at kim.rafferty@NewsChannel5.com.
In this article, we used artificial intelligence to help us convert a video news report originally written by Kim Rafferty. When using this tool, both Kim Rafferty and the NewsChannel 5 editorial team verified all the facts in the article to make sure it is fair and accurate before we published it. We care about your trust in us and where you get your news, and using this tool allows us to convert our news coverage into different formats so we can quickly reach you where you like to consume information. It also lets our journalists spend more time looking into your story ideas, listening to you and digging into the stories that matter.
Checking in on Cole: Gallatin rallies around teen battling brain tumor with prayer vigil
Austin Pollack brings us an update on a remarkable young man facing great odds, and his family has one simple request: pray for Cole. I believe in the power of prayer and hope you’ll join me in lifting up Cole and his family.
– Carrie Sharp
Tennessee
Tennessee baseball vs Ole Miss score, live updates, start time, Game 3
Tennessee baseball will look to salvage the final game of the SEC series against Ole Miss.
The Vols (25-14, 7-10 SEC) play Game against the No. 23 Rebels (29-11, 10-7) on April 19 (1 p.m. ET, SEC Network+) at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Ole Miss has been on a roll. The 8-1 win on April 18 against the Vols moved the Rebels to eight straight wins. It got an ace-level start from Cade Townsend and a grand slam from Tristan Bissetta to secure Game 2.
Taylor Rabe (3-1, 3.16 ERA) will start for the Rebels. Evan Blanco (3-2, 3.67 ERA) will be on the mound for Tennessee.
Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss live updates
What channel is Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss on today?
- TV channel: SEC Network+
- Live stream: ESPN app
Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss game times
- Game 3: April 19 (1 p.m. ET)
Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss probable pitchers
- Tennessee: LHP Evan Blanco (3-2, 3.67 ERA)
- Ole Miss: RHP Taylor Rabe (3-1, 3.16 ERA)
-
Delaware51 seconds agoViVA Awards luncheon celebrates service across Delaware County
-
Georgia13 minutes agoGeorgia Tech salvages finale vs. North Carolina ahead of UGA matchup
-
Hawaii19 minutes agoHawaii Snorkel Tour Hits Rough Waters After Tourtist Allegedly Stabs Boat Captain | Oxygen
-
Idaho25 minutes ago
The Camas Prairie is Biblical Idaho
-
Illinois31 minutes agoHas Trump’s approval dropped in Illinois amid Pope Leo feud? See polls
-
Indiana37 minutes agoOp-ed: Healthy rural communities strengthen all of Indiana
-
Iowa43 minutes agoSen. Chuck Grassley shares he’s recovering from gallstone surgery
-
Kentucky55 minutes agoKentucky will get a visit from a forward with three-point upside