Cowboy Aphasia Camp 2027
Description
The brain will be the centerpiece for Cowboy Aphasia Camp 2027. This amazing structure supports the ability to use language, and language is at the core of human identity. Language allows us connect with each other, to learn, and to navigate our daily lives. It's easy to take language for granted until things go haywire.
Aphasia is the loss of language abilities, usually after stroke or similar brain injury. In rare cases, it can be an early sign of other progressive neurological disease. In all cases, aphasia steals a person’s words and can make it hard to express ideas verbally or through writing. It can also limit the ability to understand spoken and written words. Aphasia is NOT a loss of intelligence, but it does make it difficult for people to use words to show their competence, sense of humor, and identity. 
Cowboy Aphasia Camp is offered annually on the OSU-Tulsa campus. This event partners OSU graduate students in the Communication Sciences & Disorders Department and people with aphasia for a week of mutual learning. Activities include intensive language practice, computer-based treatment, group communication interactions, and holistic activities such as painting, music, and animal-assisted therapy. You might even catch us dancing, laughing, singing, and telling jokes!
The National Aphasia Association estimates that close to 2 million people in the U.S. have aphasia. This makes aphasia more common than Parkinson’s disease, but a survey by the NAA in 2020 showed that most people were not familiar with aphasia or ways to help a person who has it.
Your donation to Cowboy Aphasia Camp supports people with aphasia, and the OSU students who are learning to help them in their recovery journey. The funds are used for supplies, food (Did you know that your brain burns about 20% of your daily calorie intake?!), and other camp expenses. You are helping people with aphasia regain their identity, and you are helping OSU produce outstanding speech-language pathologists! Thank you for joining our team and helping us change some brains in 2027!
$15
Axons and Dendrites
One dollar for every year camp has taken place. Donations at this level cover costs for the camp handbook received by each camper.
$25
Team Synapse
Brains need food! A donation at this level covers the costs of a day's snacks and lunch for a camper or student. If you are an SLP or SLP-2-Be donating at this level, we'll send you an electronic copy of a therapy material you can use when you help people with aphasia!
$50
Team Gray Matter
Our ability to tell stories and ask questions starts with gray matter action. A donation at this level purchases books and other materials the campers will use to practice these skills, and give their gray matter a workout!
$100
White Matter Pathways
You are joining others to connect important pieces of camp, just like the fiber pathways connecting key areas in the Zone of Language (usually in the left hemisphere). A donation at this level will help cover a portion of costs for the art and music during camp.
$250
Team Cerebrum
Using language requires the whole brain to operate at capacity. Aphasia throws a frayed wire into the circuits. Your generosity at this level covers a portion of costs for virtual reality and Blaze Pods in camp! These activities will challenge our brains and give everyone something to talk about.
$500
Brightest Orange Neurons
Neurons Firing! Your generosity at this level will make Year 15 the best camp ever and help us work some Orange Magic.