Youth and Family Opportunities

We’re excited to offer a single place for families to find everything related to youth programs and scholarships connected with Bridging Knowledge to Know-How. Inside this newsletter you’ll find details on two youth experiences, Camp insPirAtion and Computer Science Camp, with clear eligibility requirements for each. You’ll also find information on Early Childcare Reimbursement and Family Scholarships.

Please read each section carefully, and use the contacts listed at the end of the newsletter if you have any questions. We look forward to supporting your family’s participation!

Camp InsPirAtion is a fun engaging day camp experience that is available for individuals ages 4-21, and their siblings whose caregiver(s) are enjoying the Bridging Knowledge to Know-How Conference. Brought to you by the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), this camp’s focus is to provide a fun filled experience for our campers. We are staffed by certified teachers, BCBAs, paraprofessionals, occupational therapists, and physical therapists with the goal of providing each individual camper an experience that meets their needs and preferences.

For campers, ages 14-21 with and without disabilities, they will engage in activities that help build skills to navigate the transition to adulthood. The sessions will be led by PaTTAN's Youth Engagement Specialists and Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Network (PYLN) members.

Caregivers can relax and enjoy the great content at the conference knowing that their children or young adult are enjoying themselves at camp. Come join us for summer fun at the conference!

Details:

• Dates: Tuesday, August 4th - Friday, August 7th, 2026

• Times:

• Tuesday, 11:00 AM - 4:45 PM

• Wednesday and Thursday, 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM

• Friday 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

• Location: IU13 Burle Campus, 1020 New Holland Ave, Lancaster, PA 17601

• The Bridging Knowledge to Know-How: Empowering Educators and Partners Conference will take place at the Lancaster County Convention Center. Complimentary shuttle service will be provided to/from the camp location and the convention center.

• Fees: There is no cost to attend camp.

Transition-focused experiences will be embedded throughout the camp experience, not offered as a stand-alone program. Youth ages 14–21 will build skills for life after high school while participating in fun, familiar camp activities.

Questions?

Contact CampInspiration@pattan.net

Is a family member planning to attend the 2026 Bridging Knowledge to Know-How: Empowering Educators and Partners Conference? High school students with disabilities are encouraged to attend the 2026 Computer Science Camp, offered as part of the conference.

Brought to you by the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), the 2026 Computer Science Camp is available for campers in grades 9 - 12 (up to age 21), whose caregiver(s) are attending the Bridging Knowledge to Know-How Conference. This year’s camp focuses on foundational computer science knowledge, college and career pathways, a hands-on field trip experience, and the creation of a culminating project to showcase learning.

Details:

• Dates: Tuesday, August 4th - Friday, August 7th, 2026

• Times:

• Tuesday, 11:00 AM - 4:45 PM

• Wednesday and Thursday, 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM

• Friday 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

• Location: IU13 Burle Campus, 1020 New Holland Ave, Lancaster, PA 17601

• The Bridging Knowledge to Know-How: Empowering Educators and Partners Conference will take place at the Lancaster County Convention Center. Complimentary shuttle service will be provided to/from the camp location and the convention center.

• Fees: There is no cost to attend camp.

• Eligibility: Students with disabilities entering grade 9 - 12 (up to age 21) in fall 2026. It is expected that at least one parent or guardian attends the Bridging Knowledge to Know-How Conference.

• Camp registration is open NOW through June 15, 2026.

To participate in camp, registration is required. Registration is available through June 15, 2026. Space is limited, and spots will be filled in the order in which registrations are received. One application will need to be completed for each camper attending camp.

Questions?

Contact CSCamp@pattan.net

Are you a parent/guardian attending the Bridging Knowledge to Know-How: Empowering Pennsylvania Educators and Partners Conference (August 4-7, 2026), in-person at the Lancaster County Convention Center or virtually?

Do you have a child/children 5 years of age or younger? If so, you may be eligible for child caregiver reimbursement.

Child caregiver reimbursement is available through the Early Intervention and Technical Assistance (EITA) for parents/guardians of children 5 years of age or younger to attend conference sessions without their children.

Guidelines for reimbursement

• Child caregiver reimbursement is available for families with children 5 years of age or younger. Families are responsible for making their own arrangements for childcare.
• Child caregiver reimbursement is provided for both in-person and virtual attendance at the Bridging Knowledge to Know-How: Empowering Educators and Partners Conference, August 4-7, where it is expected that families participate without their children.
• The allowable rate for childcare is $15.00 an hour, up to 10 hours a day.
• The reimbursement is per family, not per child.
• Reimbursement can include the time of the event, as well as reasonable travel time before or after the event (to drop off or pick up a child from the location of caregiver), however cannot exceed 10 hours a day.
• Caregivers for your child/children who are eligible for reimbursement include: a non-custodial family member, friend, or a childcare agency/provider.
• Reimbursement is not included for primary caregivers such as custodial family members.
• A name and signature of the caregiver is required for documentation for reimbursement.
• Eligibility: Families/ guardians who have children 0-5 years who are attending the conference in-person or virtually. Reimbursement will be processed upon verification of conference attendance.

Information for submission is located at the top of the form. Reimbursement is through Tuscarora Intermediate Unit, the fiscal office of Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA). Please be on the lookout for a reimbursement check from Tuscarora Intermediate Unit.

Please complete and submit the below form no later than September 04, 2026. Participant registration, attendance and child will be verified. Please allow several weeks (6-8 weeks) for reimbursement.

Questions?

Contact Lisa Gragg lgragg@pattan.net or Tom Miller CampInspiration@pattan.net

2026 Bridging Knowledge to Know-How Conference Family Scholarship Application

The PA Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education (BSE), is pleased to offer a limited number of family scholarships to PA families to attend the Bridging Knowledge to Know-How: Empowering Pennsylvania Educators and Partners Conference, in-person or virtually.

The event will take place August 4-7, 2026, at The Lancaster County Convention Center. Learn more.

We welcome submissions from parents/guardians who:

• Have a child, aged birth through 21, who:

• currently receives supports and services through an Infant Toddler Early Intervention Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP); Preschool Early Intervention Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Special Education Individualized Education Program (IEP), or

• is in the evaluation/assessment process for eligibility to receive supports and services from a Pennsylvania public or approved private school (APS), as designated by the Commonwealth.

• Are not employed in a professional capacity in a school, district, charter school, or Intermediate Unit (IU), (paraprofessionals are eligible if other criteria are met); Parent Training & Information Center, Community Parent Resource Center; or other federally funded educational or advocacy organization. Professionals should seek funding through their employer/organization. Parents/guardians who are educational paraprofessionals may apply for scholarship.

A Family Scholarship Includes:

• Conference Registration (in-person or virtual) for up to two (2) parents/guardians of a child receiving or being evaluated to receive supports and services, as listed above. Each parent/guardian must register for, and attend, conference sessions

• Attendance for children, ages 4 through 21, with or without a disability, who register for one of the Youth Experiences; may include up to two (2) siblings, who register for eligible Youth Experience(s).

• Possible lodging of one guest room (for up to a family of four*, including children age birth - 21) at a conference-designated hotel. Qualified applicants must live 50+ miles, one way, from The Lancaster County Convention Center. The cost of one hotel room and tax for approved nights will be covered. *Exceptions must be requested in writing to bk2khscholarships@pattankop.net. A limited number may be granted, based on need and availability.

• Meals and Snacks provided to registered* adult conference attendees and children registered for a Youth Experience.

• *Registered attendees are adults who submit a completed conference registration form, including selection of sessions they will attend, and children who are enrolled in one of the two Youth Experience options above.

• Camp Option for Youth (14 - 21 in person only)

Scholarship recipients are responsible for all travel expenses, including transportation, fuel, tolls, mileage, and meals not provided to conference attendees.

Note: In order for parents/guardians to attend conference sessions, child caregiver reimbursement is available through Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) to families with children five (5) years of age or younger, with or without a disability. Contact Lisa Gragg at lgragg@pattan.net with questions.

Family scholarship applications will be accepted through the end of day, June 15, 2026, or until all scholarships have been awarded. Preference will be given to first-time applicants. Scholarship notifications will be sent in mid-late June, 2026.

Scholarships will be reviewed and processed in the order they are received. Don’t delay, apply today!

Questions?

Please contact us at 1-800-441-3215.

Camp insPirAtion: Contact via email CampInspiration@pattan.net

CS Camp: Contact via email CSCamp@pattan.net

Early Childcare Reimbursement: Contact Lisa Gragg, lgragg@pattan.net

Family Scholarship Application: Contact bk2khscholarship@pattankop.net, Linda Cartwright, lcartwright@pattan.net, Jacqui DiDomenico, jdidomenico@pattan.net or call 1-800-441-3215.