Join the IWSA for WAGR Weekend 2024 in beautiful, sunny San Diego, California. Hosted by Leslie and John Volk, and Karen Vaughan.
There will be updates presented about IWSA activities, information about WAGR syndrome and current research, and plenty of free time to visit with old friends and make new ones! The hotel and venue offer numerous outdoor areas for relaxing and connecting with other families.
We hope to see you in San Diego!
Questions? contact Shari Krantz at shari.krantz@wagr.org
WAGR Weekend is a wonderful opportunity for families to meet with others who understand the stressful challenges and special joys of caring for a person with WAGR syndrome. It is also an occasion to learn about current research and care management for individuals with WAGR syndrome, as well as updates on the activities of the International WAGR Syndrome Association.
Each year, WAGR Weekend takes place in a different location, and is hosted by an IWSA family. Specific presentations and information sharing vary from year to year, however, the focus is always on education, research, and family support.
The main meeting, held on Saturday June 22nd, will be available live around the world via Zoom.
To help with planning of meals and activities, please complete the registration form to let us know how many will be in your group. There is no obligation when you fill out the form.
Please note: the registration form to join the Family Meeting via Zoom on on Saturday, June 22nd, will be posted in the Spring of 2024.
Hotels and meeting facilities are located one mile from the San Diego International Airport (SAN).
We have arranged group rates at two hotels, which are next to each other:
Both hotels offer a complementary airport shuttle and all planned activities are within walking distance of the hotels. The hotels back up to lovely park property.
Hotel Information
Both hotels offer discounted, group rates between June 20 - 24. The last day to book under the group rates is May 20, 2024.
Option 1: Courtyard Marriott - Liberty Station
Group Name: IWSA-International WAGR Syndrome Association
Group Code: IWS
Reservation Phone #: (800) 321-2211, reference Group Name or Group Code
Check-in is at 4PM
Option 2 - Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego Airport - Liberty Station
Group Name: IWSA-International WAGR Syndrome Association
Group Code: IWS
Reservation Phone #: (800) 225-5466, reference Group Name or Group Code
Check-in is at 4PM
June 21-23
Courtyard by Marriott
San Diego Airport, Liberty Station
N Harbor Dr & Laning Rd, San Diego, CA 92106
(619) 221-1900
Tentative Weekend Schedule
Friday, June 21
4pm Check in
Waterside Terrace
5pm Welcome Reception and Dinner
Waterside Terrace
7:30pm Women’s Night Out
Fireside Terrace
Saturday, June 22
7-9am Breakfast Buffet
Salon B
7:30am Men’s Breakfast Get Together
Location TBD
9:30am Group Photo
Location TBD
10:30am-2:30pm Adult Meeting - Bag lunch for adults and children
Salon B
10:30am-2:30pm Children’s Activity Room
Salon C
2:30-5pm Free time
Pool, visit with other families, explore the area
5-8pm Dinner Reception, Activities and Brown Bag Bingo*
Outdoors near hotel
Activities: Magicians, Lawn games, Face painting, Karake, etc.
*After dinner, there will be Brown Bag Bingo. To participate, bring a $15 prize (age and gender appropriate). Bag will be provided. More information will be provided.
The Saturday, June 22nd Family Meeting will be available via Zoom as a live event. It will also be recorded and shared for viewing at a later time.
The registration form to join the Family Meeting via Zoom will be posted in the Spring of 2024.
{The} Impression which leave this meeting with me is for an exclusive commitment, tolerance, understanding, friendliness, responsiveness and solidarity to those families who have found a great way through the collection of a one weekend to share their experience and knowledge, to share the full range of emotions surrounding the upbringing of a child with WAGR syndrome. After such a meeting filled with many activities (games , entertainment, mom’s night, shared breakfasts, lunches and dinners, charity raffle, meeting with doctors, useful and educational presentations, etc.), I was really very happy confident and informed, especially with many new friends and memories that warm my heart.
There is something magical about being in a room filled with people who get what you have been going through without ever having to say a word. It was no longer about explaining and more about sharing which I have always been thrilled to do.
I was welcomed by big smiles like the sun of San Diego and warm hugs. My heart was full of delight in meeting everyone – lovable children, their families and awesome board members. Mom’s night with warmth, laughs and tears were emotionally stirring. Especially experienced mom’s words penetrated my heart. New knowledge presented by specialists and fun time at San Diego Zoo were, no doubt, valuable.
Start training for WAGR Weekend early in the year. Put plenty of sleep in the sleep bank so you can make several big withdrawals, exercise your vocal cords so you can talk nonstop, drain your tear ducts so they won’t constantly overflow, and build up your abs so they can withstand prolonged laughter. All the work is worth it, though. There’s no high like a WAGR Weekend high!
For the first time in a while I felt like I innately belonged to this group of people. We were magically joined together by our amazing children. I was not an outsider looking in, nor was I in a fishbowl for others to examine. Even though I have never met any of the fellow WAGR families prior, those three days felt like home at heart
I’ll never forget how welcomed I felt walking into the lobby of the hotel; the culmination of the many months on the internet. We met so many wonderful people with shared experiences. I felt an instant bond. We were overwhelmed with the generosity of this instant family.
The highlight of my trip was during the most vulnerable part- dad’s night. I wasn’t sure what to expect and it was definitely a moment when I could have questioned myself as a father, but I didn’t. I didn’t because of the support I got from all the other dad’s who have traveled and would soon travel the road I was on. We laughed, we got misty eyed, and we grew to be stronger and better people and that made us all better fathers.
If you have ever had doubts about attending WAGR Weekend, GO!!!!! It was an environment where everyone was accepted for who they are, no questions, bottom line. We felt absolutely loved and absolutely accepted by every single person we met.
Moms night always makes me realize that I truly am not alone in this journey even when I feel so alone. Thank you ladies you are truly my family I never knew I needed.
It was inspiring to spend time with a group of families and their children, challenged and not, and to see that similar challenges are experienced by all. Even more inspiring are the siblings of our special children and the love and understanding that they exhibit. My only regret is that our two younger daughters were not able to attend.
Contact Shari Krantz at shari.krantz@wagr.org
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