How to Establish a Hospital Clown or Family Entertainer Group? Train and Equip?

Launchpad for Your Group: Charlie's Chaplains' Skool '10 Applied Humor Therapy Weekend

September 24-25, 2010 in Hickory, North Carolina

Charlie’s Chaplains’ Skool sessions are open to the public and others in the industry, to encourage more hospital clown groups, healthcare family entertainer groups and creative ministries...

For the second time in their 19-year history, FRMC Charlie’s Chaplains will be offering a Friday evening "Pre-Skool" session on "How to Establish a Hospital Clown or Healthcare Family Entertainer Group: To Train, Prepare and Equip!"

Why are we offering this?

* Because we have the heartfelt desire to help others establish hospital clown groups and healthcare family entertainers, and to learn more about Applied Humor Therapy.

* We know there are others with a burning desire to serve in this significant way, but simply need the tools to apply their knowledge and skills in this new venue.

* FRMC Charlie's Chaplains, a unique community-based hospital ministry comprised entirely of volunteers has been faithfully making Rounds at Frye Regional Medical Center since 1991. We believe we have a story to tell and encouragement to give to help those who want to establish a ministry in their own area -- wherever that may be!

The SPECIAL Friday evening "Pre-Skool" session on "Establishing a Hospital Clown or Healthcare Family Entertainer Group - Training, Preparing and Equipping!" is a 'nuts and bolts'-type working session.

It will be offered a relaxed, comfortable classroom-type setting, and a delicious dinner will be awaiting your arrival!


This Pre-Skool Program is designed as an integral part of our weekend program. If you are just starting out in establishing a hospital clown group or already have a group, you will receive valuable pointers, tips and training information as a launchpad to your group's journey into this exciting adventure!

Attendees will get the absolute 'straight scoop' from Skool '10 -- equipped with tools, information and knowledge so as to not spin their wheels, and to prepare them, presented by FRMC Charlie's Chaplains' coordinator and Skool concept developer, Becky Cortino.

The presentation is from a Grassroots perspective (that's me-and-you!), based on Becky's hands-on experience with FRMC Charlie's Chaplains since 1997, providing:

• Experienced insight, ideas and inspirations to encourage unique creative ministry
• Considerations in setting up a hospital clown creative ministry
• Organization, team-building and training ideas
• Case Studies and Printable Forms to encourage unique ministry
• Training, Preparing and Equipping your group

If you have ever attended one of Becky's sessions before, you know that it is interactive, filled to the max with helpful info, and you will want to take notes -- Note Sheets provided! You will come away with valuable information, ideas and actionable steps to establish a hospital clown group or enhance your current group -- launching to the next level!
 
While applied humor therapy in the healthcare setting is not Rocket Science, the learning and fun never ends in this wonderful venue, and this is a worthwhile addition to your ongoing learning.

Incorporated in this program:

Multi-media presentation

Presented by published author, speaker, trainer and FRMC Charlie's Chaplains' coordinator Becky Cortino


Support Materials and Dinner are included:

• Textbook for all Hospital Clown/Healthcare Entertainer Group registrants
• Applied Humor Therapy RX Collection for all Healthcare Professionals, including Injecting Healing Humor in the Healthcare Setting book
• Take-aways: Textbook/or RX Collection and book, PLUS resource materials are included.
• Dinner, Textbook/or RX Collection and all materials listed are included in registration.

Resource: How to Establish a Hospital Clown or Healthcare Family Entertainer Group materials produced by: A Heart 4 Clowning



More information about Skool '10 click on this link (here)

PreSkool '10 Friday Eve Program Info --available ONLY in Weekend Package-- click this link (here)

FRMC Charlie's Chaplains Offers Skool September 24-5, 2010 - "Work of Heart: Injecting Humor in the Healthcare Setting," an Applied Humor Therapy Weekend

FRMC Charlie's Chaplains Offers Skool September 24-5, 2010 - "Work of Heart: Injecting Humor in the Healthcare Setting," an Applied Humor Therapy Weekend

Special guest presenter JT Bubba Sikes, to teach at FRMC Charlie's Chaplains' Skool '10



(HICKORY, NC) --- In February, many thoughts and sentiments center around the heart, love and celebrating Valentine's Day. At Frye Regional Medical Center, some folks give freely of their hearts throughout the year by spreading laughter, cheer and leaving behind thoughts of the possibilities of joy and wonder in hearts that are touched.

Since 1991, FRMC Charlie's Chaplains, an all-volunteer group of hospital clowns and family entertainers share the heartfelt mission of helping patients feel better through cheerful spirits, lightening hearts and brightening patients' days with a gentle presence through creative ministry. Team members have been receiving ongoing training at Skool, for this special discipline since 2004.

Interest in attending FRMC Charlie's Chaplains now-infamous "Skool" has increased over the years, drawing folks from out-of-state, and outside the region. To date, 215 hospital clowns and healthcare family entertainers have been trained at Skool, a concept developed by the group's coordinator Becky Cortino. "Each year has a slightly different focus, with a fun theme," said Cortino. "Skool offers multiple-track classes, taught simultaneously by experienced professional instructors who love to share their passion."

"This year's Skool will be a little different, because we are offering a track for Applied Humor Therapy instruction for healthcare professionals, and bringing in JT "Bubba" Sikes as a featured presenter on hospital clowning, " Becky explains.

Charlie's Chaplains' Skool '10 theme is "Work of Heart: Injecting Humor in the Healthcare Setting," and promises to be a packed-to-the-max weekend of fellowship, learning and fun. Skool '10 will indeed be a "3-Ring Circus" On-Stage, offering exceptional instruction in Applied Humor Therapy, Clown Arts, with specialized instruction for healthcare professionals, and for those establishing and training a hospital clown, healthcare entertainer group or troupe.

This year's training program features instruction on Applied Humor Therapy in the healthcare setting, as well as aspects of the art of clowning and creative arts, presented for all levels of experience, with special tracks for healthcare professionals.

Special Two-or-More Ministry Training and local mission opportunities are offered to area churches and other ministries wanting to share their hearts in this way. Interested groups are invited to enroll members in Charlie's Chaplains' Skool '10, receiving additional training offered and adopting FRMC monthly visitations as a shared local missions focus for one calendar year, under the tutelage and coordination of the resident hospital creative ministry.
For more Skool '10 information and to request registration materials (click this link):

http://charlieschaplains_skool.bravehost.com/

Charlie's Chaplains is a not-for-profit group of dedicated, unpaid volunteers sharing the heartfelt mission of helping FRMC patients feel better, through cheerful spirits, lightening hearts, and brightening patients' days with a gentle presence. This clown ministry began their funny business in 1991, patrolling the hallways of FRMC cheering the patients and visitors, as well as clowning around with the staff each month. Charlie's Chaplains' got its start with the guidance of Chaplain Robert Ford, pastors Dana McKim and Danny Leonard, and has been tickling funny bones ever since. FRMC Charlie's Chaplains was honored to be featured January, 2007 in The Hospital Clown Newsletter.

FRMC Charlie's Chaplains website -- click here: http://www.charlieschaplains.blogspot.com/



Frye Regional Medical Center is a 355-bed acute care facility located at 420 North Center Street in Hickory. The hospital has been serving the medical and health care needs of Catawba County since 1911. The hospital's main campus includes a comprehensive heart center, orthopedics, bariatric surgery, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, restorative care unit, pediatrics, center for neurosciences, cancer center and women's pavilion. Frye has several extended campuses to serve families throughout the area, including FryeCare, an outpatient diagnostic facility; Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, Frye Wellness and Education Center, which houses the Center For Diabetes Self-Management Care, perinatal education and community wellness classes; Infusion Care; Piedmont Therapy, offering sports and industrial rehabilitation; South Campus for psychiatric services; Tate Surgery Center; Unifour Pain Treatment Center; Unifour Pulmonology; two urgent care facilities; and Vein and Wound Center. For employers, Frye provides industrial health services through Hart Industrial Clinic, Oakwood Place an outpatient substance abuse program and our urgent care locations.Frye Regional Medical Center is accredited by the Joint Commission, the nation's oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency. To learn more about the hospital, visit: http://www.fryemedctr.com/

Charlie's Chaplains' Skool '10 - Work of Heart: Injecting Humor in the Healthcare Setting

   For More Information about FRMC Charlie's Chaplains' Skool '10 Click this link here...

FRMC Charlie's Chaplains Wishes You all the Joys of this Season...

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Charlie's Chaplains' Skool '10: Ministry Weekend + Bubba Sikes!

Frye Regional Medical Center's Charlie's Chaplains are preparing for Skool '10 Ministry Weekend, scheduled for September 24-25, 2010, in Hickory, North Carolina. The weekend promises to be a full, action-packed Skool. It is the second-ever "Ministry Weekend" held by FRMC Charlie's Chaplains; the first was in 2007.

The Pre-Skool Friday evening dinner program will feature "How to Establish and Train, Prepare and Equip a Hospital Clown or Healthcare Family Entertainer Group" presentation, including dinner and a copy of the book. The evening session is geared for those wanting or planning to establish a hospital or healthcare group, or currently involved in one and wanting to kick the group effectiveness up a notch or two.

Saturday's program features J.T. Bubba Sikes. Continuing the tradition of FRMC Charlie's Chaplains' now-infamous Skool -- will be packed-to-the-max with learning and fun! A continental breakfast, lunch, snacks and refreshments are all included in Skool '10 registration, and will be provided onsite throughout the day. The all-day intensive on Saturday is especially for individuals or groups that are interested or currently involved in clowning, as a healthcare family entertainer, or in applied humor therapy in the healthcare setting.

All levels of experience are welcome to participate in this unique training program. As in past Skools, other hospitals, ministries, troupes, groups and individuals from out-of-state and outside the region are warmly invited and encouraged to attend this specialized Hospital Clown-Caring Clown-Healthcare Family Entertainer training Skool program. Registration begins soon for the weekend and Saturday-only program. Overnight accommodations are available at the Official Skool Headquarters Hotel.

Would you like to receive more information and updates? Simply provide us your email info and we'll stay in touch with you about FRMC Skool '10!




...Please watch for our confirmation email to arrive in your email box! Before we begin sending you info, we need to receive your OK -- thanks :)

Charlie's Chaplains Returns to Making Twice-Monthly Rounds Schedule

Now in the 2009-2010 Skool Year, Frye Regional Medical Center's Charlie's Chaplains have resumed their twice-monthly Rounds schedule, for those months not having a major holiday.
This allows Charlie's Chaplains the opportunity to double the FUN by visiting patients twice as often, a long-held heartfelt dream of the group's coordinator Becky Cortino.

"For many years, I had hoped Charlie's Chaplains would be able to make Rounds more often than once a month. In 2008, this group of very dedicated entertainers unanimously agreed that we should plan twice monthly visitations, for greater coverage at Frye Regional Medical Center," she said. "It has worked well, and many Charlie's Chaplains are sure to participate in as many scheduled visits as possible -- often doubling their FUN in our new schedule!"