Disc Golf, Art, and Adventure: QC Summer Camp
One of the most popular traditions at QC Learning is our annual Summer Camp, where adults with disabilities come together for a season filled with fun, friendship, and discovery.
For several years, Summer Camp has centered on days spent at Fort Tuthill County Park. But this year, co-managers Ariel Coleman and Trever Sinanovic decided it was time to change things up.
“We chose to reimagine our weekly schedule to explore Flagstaff and integrate ourselves more with the community,” Trever explained.
The camp continued to visit Fort Tuthill on Mondays and Tuesdays throughout the summer, which gave campers the opportunity to enjoy nature, engage in physical activities like disc golf, and focusing on craft projects, such as making their own bird feeders. The middle of the week was reserved for visiting other local parks or moving indoors for group activities.
Then came “Adventure Days” on Thursdays and Fridays to expand horizons, build skills, and encourage exploration. Summer camp participants got national park passes and were able to explore Walnut Canyon and Sunset Crater. In the future, the group hopes to arrange for field trips to Bearizona and the Grand Canyon.
Adventure Days weren’t just about recreation, Ariel and Trever said; they were also about real-world learning. Navigating public spaces, experiencing new environments, and connecting with community members all reinforced the skills that lead to greater independence.
For Trever and Ariel, it was the campers themselves who made the summer truly special.
Campers like Ricky, a new participant, who stood out because of how quickly he adjusted to new settings and environments. “He has never once had anything other than a good attitude,” Trever said. “He was always smiling and was an absolute delight for any instructor to work with.”
Ricky’s enthusiasm and positivity were a reminder of what QC Summer Camp is all about – embracing the “new” – new places, new skills, and new experiences.
QC Learning’s Leaders: Ariel Coleman and Trever Sinanovic
Quality Connection’s adult day program, QC Learning, provides participants with the space where they can find community, grow new skills, and build confidence.
The program is guided by two co-managers, Trever Sinanovic and Ariel Coleman, who bring unique experiences and a shared enthusiasm to their roles. Together, they create an environment where members can thrive.
Trever grew up in Glendale and came to Flagstaff in 2018 to attend college and develop his interests in art, literature, and psychology.
Through a friend at church, he discovered Quality Connections. Although he had never worked with adults with disabilities before, he came to tour the program and meet the team and was highly impressed by both.
As co-manager, Trever often starts with administrative duties before greeting the program’s participants (about 20 each day) as they come through the door. His favorite part of the day, he said, was observing members during their morning lessons.
“I love seeing how their brains work as they discover different ways to complete any challenge,” he explains.
For Trever, success is measured in growth—both for members and for his staff. “There’s a certain energy in the air when staff are teaching what they love and members are loving what they’re learning,” he says.
A stopover in Flagstaff started Ariel’s journey at QC Learning. She and her children were traveling from Oklahoma to Oregon, but they quickly fell in love with Flagstaff and decided to stay.
Ariel already had roots in the disability services field, sparked by her stepfather’s work in the field. Later, she realized her passion truly began with her cousin, who is autistic. “He was the seed that planted my love for this career,” she reflects.
Her days at QC Learning are never quite the same, which is something she enjoys. Mornings often bring member check-ins and managerial duties, while the afternoon allows her to be with the members to participate in activities.
For Ariel, the most rewarding moments are when she sees members come out of their shells. She talked about one member named Adam, who in the beginning tended to keep to himself and not interact with the other participants. Now he’s more engaged and even helps with questions during trivia time.
“He is one member who has opened up and continues to more and more,” Ariel said.
She defines success by how members feel at the end of the day: “I love watching people come together and being able to leave every day knowing that we made one more day of a difference in each other’s lives. That is always a success!”
Though their backgrounds are different, Trever and Ariel share a deep commitment to QC Learning’s mission: helping adults with disabilities develop new skills, connect with their peers, and live more fulfilling lives. Their leadership ensures QC Learning members feel they belong to a community that is always interested in empowering them.
