The 2022 National Santa America Symposium
The 2022 Santa America Symposium was held September 8th – 10th, in Overland Park, Kansas (Kansas City Metro-Area). This was a training and learning event, sponsored by Santa America, and it focused on supporting children and their families in special needs circumstances.
Subject Presenters are experts in their fields, and they delivered subject centered presentations on medically and emotionally sensitive encounters, and being prepared for those circumstances where Santas may encounter Hospice and Bereavement, Autism Spectrum, or Post-Traumatic Stress situations
This year’s Symposium included all handouts provided by guest speakers and Santa America, scheduled events, and 2 lunches and 2 dinners.
Also attending were families whose children who have experienced visits by Santa America Santas in these very difficult circumstances.
Symposium Date, Venue, Location
Dates: September, 8th, 9th and 10th, 2022
Venue: The Arts and Heritage Center
City/State: Overland Park, Kansas.
Symposium Fees
To provide an accurate count for reservations, there is a $150 deposit for all attendees. Current volunteers, and new, compliant volunteers (by the end of the symposium) will have their deposits returned.
Symposium Events
Thursday September 8
* Pre-symposium activities for Santa visits to various hospitals to spread Love, Hope, and Joy to children, seniors, and veterans
* Registration – 1:00 pm
* The Opening – 2:00 pm
– Overview
– Volunteerism
– Santa America Programs
* Dinner Break – 5:00
* Reindeer Photos – 6:00 til 8:30. Photos will be taken at no charge, by a professional photographer. Prices and package details will be provided by Abundant Moments.
Friday September 9
* 9:00 am – Death, Grief, Bereavement
* 11:00 – Family Roundtable
* 12:00 – Lunch
* 1:00 – Autism Spectrum Disorders
* 3:30 – Autism Family Roundtable
* 4:30 – Adjourn
* 5:30 – Bus to J. Rieger,
Dinner, Group Photos
* 8:30 – Bus back to
Arts and Heritage Center
Saturday September 10
* 9:00 am – Children and Trauma
* 11:00 am -Military and PTSD
* 12:00 – Lunch
* 1:00 – Where do we go from here?
* 4:00 – Adjourn