S.P.A. (Sister are Pretty Awesom) Sibshop for girls and their moms
We are so excited to return to offering our popular SPA Sibshop! Being a sister of someone with unique abilities can be pretty awesome. But like Anna of Arendelle in the movie Frozen knows, it can also be pretty full of challenges, especially for sisters and moms, that can lead to health risks.

This Sibshop for girls is an opportunity to have fun exploring how sisters like Elsa and Anna, along with their Moms (or grandma, or big sister, aunt or grown up friend), can keep the challenges from overwhelming life.

Cost: $15/child (Moms are guests)
Registration required in advance. Space limited. To register, CLICK HERE!

2023 Sibs Are My Peeps
Photo Challenge

Grab a couple packages of Peeps, a box, some glue, a little paper or decorations, and you’ve got fun for an afternoon.

HOW TO ENTER and SEND YOUR PHOTOS

The theme this year is “Festival of Peeps”. The contest runs from March 1 to March 31, 2023.

More information and see entries from previous years visit  https://wisconsibs.org/what-we-offer/sibs-are-my-peeps/

Finished your entry and ready to show us?

Download entry form. Email the form and 2 photos to [email protected]

Book Club for adult Sibs!

Join other adults who have siblings with disabilities for this new book club designed just for you.

Here’s a chance to connect with other adult sibs while getting into a book on your reading list or a new read.

Any Sib may join from anywhere in Wisconsin. Books will be chosen by participants and meetings are expected to be held once per month via Zoom.

Don’t always have time to read? Join us anyway and read when you can (or use it as extra encouragement to make time to read.) Be open to a world of posSIBility!

https://bit.ly/wisconsibsREAD
(note: case sensitivity)

Upcoming Book Club Discussion
March 8, 2023   7:15 PM
– Book this month –
TBD

In the meantime, check out our closed WisconSibsREAD Facebook page.

Save the date for this Sibshop for children ages 6-12 who have siblings with disabilities. More information soon.

Workshop #2 of Journey Forward

This is the part 2 of the 2-part Journey Forward program. It is open to adult Sibs and their guests who attended Workshop #1 or would like a refresher after having attended any Journey Forward workshop in the past.

Topics will include:

• Letter of Intent progress and how to use it to get what you and your sibling with disabilities need and want.
• Housing for people with disabilities – Assessing needs and interests, options and challenges
• Employment Options or Day Program options – Assessing skills, interests, and navigating local options.

Who benefits from Journey Forward workshops? Directed at adults who have a sibling with developmental disabilities or long-term illnesses, the journey ultimately benefits you AND your sibling with disabilities AND others in your family, even your community. You may already be in a care giving role or expect to in the future. This program helps you clarify your role as a sibling, get the planning tools to move forward, and connect with other siblings and local resources that will impact your future.

Journey Forward has one main goal— to help you as an adult sibling move forward with peace of mind. 

When you are finished with both workshop sessions, you will have a written document which describes your sibling’s desired future living arrangement, community role, and lifestyle preferences.  You will have a plan that includes practical directions and information for maintaining continuity in your sibling’s daily life and needed supports to achieve these outcomes.  Some call this peace of mind. 

This is the second session of a two-session program.  Adult siblings are encouraged to invite parents, siblings (including any with disabilities), and other family members as their guests. The program includes all materials and lunch for adult siblings and their guests (spouse, other siblings, parents, and any other significant members of their family or team) for both sessions.

If you wish to register yourself, your sibling, or your parents or you have questions about Journey Forward in general, contact us at the WisconSibs office.

It may be April Fool’s Day…

…But having fun at this Sibshop is No Joke! We’re serious about having fun and making friends with other kids that have brothers or sisters with disabilities.

Join us!

Cost: $15/child
Registration required in advance. To register, CLICK HERE!

Book Club for adult Sibs!

Join other adults who have siblings with disabilities for this new book club designed just for you.

Here’s a chance to connect with other adult sibs while getting into a book on your reading list or a new read.

Any Sib may join from anywhere in Wisconsin. Books will be chosen by participants and meetings are expected to be held once per month via Zoom.

Don’t always have time to read? Join us anyway and read when you can (or use it as extra encouragement to make time to read.) Be open to a world of posSIBility!

https://bit.ly/wisconsibsREAD
(note: case sensitivity)

Upcoming Book Club Discussion
April 13, 2023   7:15 PM
– Book this month –
TBD

In the meantime, check out our closed WisconSibsREAD Facebook page.

FREE!  FAMILY-FRIENDLY!  ACCESSIBLE!

Visit our WisconSibs display and vote for your favorite Sibs Are My Peeps display.

More information about Kidz Expo

WisconSibs will be providing Sibshop for children ages 8-12 who have siblings with autism and attending the WI Autism Conference being held at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay on April 22. WisconSibs Teen Sib Leaders will be leading the Sibshop along with trained WisconSibs Sibshop Facilitators. To sign up, visit the WI Autism Conference registration

Sibshop for ages 8-12 at Circles of Life conference

Circles of Life is Wisconsin’s annual conference for families who have children with disabilities. This event brings together families and the providers who support them to learn, connect, and become more knowledgeable about programs and services for their children.

This year’s conference will be held on May 11-12, 2023. WisconSibs will be offering a Sibshop on Thursday, May 11 from 9 am – noon.

To learn more about the conference go to CirclesofLifeConference.com

Book Club for adult Sibs!

Join other adults who have siblings with disabilities for this new book club designed just for you.

Here’s a chance to connect with other adult sibs while getting into a book on your reading list or a new read.

Any Sib may join from anywhere in Wisconsin. Books will be chosen by participants and meetings are expected to be held once per month via Zoom.

Don’t always have time to read? Join us anyway.
Be open to a world of posSIBility!

https://bit.ly/wisconsibsREAD
(note: case sensitivity)

Upcoming Book Club Discussion
May 25, 2023   7:15 PM
– Twice in a Lifetime by Melissa Baron

In the meantime, check out our closed WisconSibsREAD Facebook page.

Sibshop Facilitator Training (First Generation)

Who benefits from attending WisconSibs training?

Adult Sibs
Service providers
School and child care personnel
Therapists, health professionals
Current Sibshop facilitators looking to refresh their knowledge/skills
Teen Sib Leaders age 16 and older

This two-day Sibshop Facilitator training includes:

• Review of sibling concerns across the life span and strategies that work to address them.
• Panel discussion with adult siblings
• Goals and operation of WisconSibs Sibshop
• Sibshop basics, facilitator agreement
• Demonstration Sibshop
• and more

MORE INFO AND REGISTRATION

Questions?  contact us

*Note: This is first-generation Sibshop training that allows trainees to start Sibshops in their own community or join the troupe of WisconSibs facilitators that will help expand the number of WisconSibs Sibshops offered throughout Wisconsin. Emily Holl, Director of the Sibling Support Project, will be the trainer.

That’s right it’s a Sibshop in June! This Sibshop will be a part of a training event WisconSibs is hosting for new Sibshop Facilitators. 

Lead by Emily Holl, the Director of the Sibling Support Project, we have a fun filled day planned, for children 7-13 years old, to participate in this extra special Sibshop. Lunch will be provided. There will be time to play, laugh, and talk with other children who get it, while simultaneously helping us teach the trainees what Sibshops are all about.

Space is limited, save your spot and sign up today!

LOCATION: West Boys and Girls Club of Green Bay   311 S Oneida St  Green Bay, WI 54303

MORE INFO AND REGISTRATION

Sib Camp 2023 – June 15-18   Door County Wagon Trail (yurts)

For Sibs Ages 12-16  

Zip line, kayak, and stand-up paddle boarding are just a few of the adventures at Sib Camp .

Join this 4-day (3-night) camping adventure in Door County.  Campers will have a blast experiencing either Door County parks. Campers bike** and hike each day to explore this outdoor adventure camp.

As always, swimming, camp cooking, campfires and talking with other Sibs means lots of fun!

Sib Camp is outfitted and guided by experienced DC Adventure Center staff. The camp session at Wagon Trail features yurt (beds) sleeping and is limited to 14 campers.

WATCH FOR MORE INFO AND ONLINE REGISTRATION IN 2023

** Camper brings their own bike.

Health and Consent Forms will be sent to you after Registration is received. Enrollment is complete once all paperwork and payment have been received.

WisconSibs is excited to see your family at the Butterfly Festival. Visit our WisconSibs table for fun activities and prizes.

More information and registration at foxcitiesbutterflyfestival.com/registration/why-register

INVITATION ONLY

New and previous winners of the Teen Sib Leadership Award are invited to this leadership training event. For details about applying for a Teen Sib Leadership Award click here.

Teen Sib Leadership Day takes place at Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve.

more details to come

Sib Camp June 22-25 for Ages 12-16 at Devil’s Lake State Park*, Baraboo WI (sleeping in tents)

This Sib Camp is  4 days, 3 nights of hiking, swimming, and much more. Guided by experienced Door County Adventure Center staff certified in education, ropes course, kayak, lifeguard, CPR and first aid.  Siblings get to kick back and experience the freedom and thrill of adventure while sharing a great time with other Sibs who “get it”. This camp session features tent sleeping and is limited to 10 campers.

Health and Consent Forms will be sent to you after Registration is received. Enrollment is complete once all paperwork and payment have been received.

NOTE: Campers will meet at 3pm on June 22 at the lower Ice Age Trail Campground and should be picked up by 12pm on June 25.

Join us for Sibshop at the Henry Vilas Zoo – Madison

What could be more fun than a Sibshop at the Zoo? This Sibshop includes a special live animal program called Animal Encounters.

What’s a Sibshop? Sibshops are for children, ages 6-12 years old, who have a brother or sister with special needs. This Sibshop will be held at the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison. Children will have the chance to play, and connect with other siblings in discussions about the challenges and joys of life with a sibling with disabilities. They meet and have fun with other kids who “get it.”

Along with our regular Sibshop activities and Zoo presentation, there will be a pizza party. Space is limited and registration is required, sign up today to secure your spot!

REGISTER NOW