Although summer camp season is winding down, there are still upcoming camp opportunities for children with autism and other special needs. One such opportunity is Camp Runamuk in beautiful Prescott, Arizona.

The following information is from the Camp Runamuk flyer:

Get ready for The Foundation For Exceptional Kids 4th annual family camp – Camp Runamuk join us this Fall 2011 in beautiful Prescott, Arizona. Families will get the total camp experience from bunk beds to campfires, for 4 days and 3 nights while they participate in family and individual activities all geared for campers with special needs, their siblings, and parents. At night, each family will turn in to their own room in a suite-style log cabin, each complete with its own bathroom and shower.

The camp experience begins on October 7, 2011 and runs through October 10, 2011. Fees start at $454 for a family of 2 and run up to $925 for a family of 5. Additionally family members are $175 ea. The good news is that each camper will be accompanied by a Camp Pal during activities and families receiving DDD/ALTCS services can use 24 of their respite hours to fund the Camp Pal. A private pay option of $240 is also available.

For more information, contact the Foundation for Exceptional Kids at 480-245-7456.

Photo: squeaks2569/Flickr

The following information was sent to me and so I’m reposting it for anyone that may be looking for a program like this in the Torrance, California area.

Exciting summer programs for your child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

1) myCoach provides your child with the support he/she needs to participate actively and meaningfully in the summer camp of your choice. Each child with special needs is matched one-to-one with an ABA-trained behavioral coach to optimize his participation in the camp’s programs and activities.

2) Summer Fun Social Skills Workshops. Participants will build skills to improve existing relationships and develop new relationships through fun and interactive indoor and outdoor activities. For more information, please contact us at 310-320-5856, or e-mail us at infoAutismEdcom

Camp Caglewood in Suwanee, Georgia is gearing up for their 2011 autism summer camp offerings. Specialized camps begin in April and the last event of the year is scheduled in December.

Desoto Falls – April 29 – May 1, 2011

Spelunking – June 17 – 19, 2011

White Water Rafting – July 22 – 24, 2011

Amicalola Falls – September 9 – 11, 2011

Cumberland Island – October 20 – 23, 2011

Disney World – December 1 – 4, 2011

If you’re interested in learning more about one of these opportunities, call Camp Caglewood at (678) 405-9000 or follow them on their new Twitter account @Caglewood.

Photo: Rob J Brooks/Flickr

When I first launched this site, I focused on autism schools and then branched off into autism summer camps. Although the site has grown in the past several years, I still maintain a list of autism schools by states and a small sampling of autism summer camps. This year, I’m going to do something different. I’m going to create a post dedicated to autism summer camps in 2011, much like my annual list of autism conferences.

I have uncovered the following summer camps for 2011 but of course, I am unable to find all of the camps that are out there. If you know of a camp that you’d like to see included in this list, please complete my form: Submit an Autism Summer Camp. As I discover new camps, I will update this post.

Alabama
Camp ASCCA in Lake Martin – Various dates, call (256) 825-9226

Arizona
Social Skills Summer Camp in Phoenix – June 6 – July 8, 2011, call (602) 471-0346
Camp Clubhouse in Phoenix – Dates TBD, call (602) 368-8601

Arkansas
Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock – Various dates, call (501) 225-1444

California
Camp Altitude – Various dates, call (408) 353-0377
Camp Paivika in Pasadena – Various dates, call (626) 396-1010
Surfers Healing – Various dates and locations, call (866) 647-HEAL

Colorado
Extreme Sports Camp in Aspen – Various dates, call (970) 927-3143

Georgia
Camp Caglewood in Suwanee – Various dates, call (678) 405-9000

Maryland
Surfers Healing in Ocean City – August 18, 2011, call (866) 647-HEAL

Michigan
Camp Grace Bentley in Burtchville – Various dates, call (313) 962-8242

Minnesota
Camp Buckskin in Ely – Various dates, call (763) 208-4805 or (218) 365-2121
Camp Discovery in MapleLake – Various dates, call (651) 647-1083 xt. 16
Camp Hand-in-Hand in Crosslake – Various dates, call (651) 647-1083 xt. 16
Camp Wahode in Eagan – Various dates, call (651) 647-1083 xt. 16

Mississippi
Kamp Kaleidoscope in Magee, Various dates, call (601) 849-2695

New Jersey
Camp Bridge in Wall – Various dates, call (732) 580-6212
Surfers Healing in Belmar – September 11-12, 2011, call (866) 647-HEAL

New York
Camp Huntington in High Falls – Various dates, call (877) 356-1535
Surfers Healing in Long Beach – September 14, 2011, call (866) 647-HEAL
Surfers Healing in Montauk – September 16, 2011, call (866) 647-HEAL

North Carolina
Camp Lakey Gap in Black Mountain – Various dates, call (828) 669-8977
Surfers Healing in Wrightsville Beach – August 22, 2011, call (866) 647-HEAL

Pennsylvania
Camp Lee Mar in the Poconos – June 25 – August 12, 2011, call (215) 658-1708 or (570) 685-7188
Dragonfly Forest – June 21-26, 2011, call (610) 298-1820.

Rhode Island
Surfers Healing in Narragansett Beach – September 17, 2011, call (866) 647-HEAL

South Carolina
Surfers Healing in Folly Beach – August 24, 2011, call (866) 647-HEAL

Utah
Kidstar Summer Camp in Salt Lake City – July 18 – August 11, 2011, email karinarasmussenhscutahedu

Virginia
Surfers Healing in Virginia Beach – August 20, 2011, call (866) 647-HEAL

Washington
Blue Compass Camps in Seattle – Various dates, call (866) 683-6262

Wisconsin
Camp AweSum at Moon Beach Camp – June 26 – July 1, 2011, email CampAweSumyahoocom

Canada
Camp HeHoHa in Alberta – Various dates, call (780) 429-3277

Photo: switcherMark/Flickr

North Carolina’s Camp Lakey Gap has announced the dates for its 2011 autism summer camp offerings. Camp sessions begin on June 12 and the final weeklong session begins on July 24. In order to attend Camp Lakey Gap, a child must have an autism spectrum disorder or related communication disorder diagnosis, have manageable behavior and health care needs and have a guardian within an 8-hour radius of Black Mountain, North Carolina during the camp week.

2011 Camp Weeks

• June 12 – 17, 2011 – Children 8 – 13 years of age
• June 19 – 24, 2011 – Children 11 – 17 years of age
• June 26 – July 1, 2011 – High functioning children 4 – 10 years of age
• July 3 – 8, 2011 – Children 8 – 13 years of age
• July 10 – 15, 2011 – Adults 18+
• July 17 – 22, 2011 – Children 4 – 10 years of age
• July 24 – 29, 2011 – High functioning children 11 – 17 years of age

The Camp Lakey Gap has created a list of criteria that must be met for individuals that want to attend one of the high functioning camps. For more information on these criteria or general information about one of the 2011 Camp Lakey Gap camps, please call (828) 669-8977.

Excerpted from the article, “Going Off to Camp: Information and Encouragement for Parents” that appears in the March/April 2011 issue of Autism Asperger’s Digest magazine. Reprinted with permission. The Autism Asperger’s Digest is offering a subscription special during April, to celebrate National Autism Awareness Month. Details follow.

Spring has yet to arrive, so why are we talking about summer camp for kids with ASD? Because you’ll need plenty of time to find a camp and then prepare your child for this important experience. But also because camps are already accepting applications and time is running out.

Whether you’ve made the decision to send your child with autism or Asperger’s to summer camp, or you’re still unsure – possibly torn between pros, cons, or where to begin – this article will help you through the process. Four camp directors shared their expertise, several parents offered advice from their camp experience, and all that information is combined here to give you tips and information to ensure a successful camp experience.

Before You Begin…

Consider these tips from the parents and camp directors to get you started:

Know what you want; determine your goals. Many parents use summer camp primarily as an opportunity for their child to be away from home, socialize and build self-confidence. Others have a more specific goal, such as a therapeutic environment, academics, or a camp specializing in sports, arts, computers and other interests.

Perform an honest assessment. Decide whether you and your child are ready for camp. This step is just as – and sometimes more – difficult for parents.

Gather information. If you’re having a hard time making a decision, finish reading this article, target a few camps you like and talk to the camp directors. This will give you a sense about whether that camp is a good fit and the directors will help you work through concerns to make a decision.

Prepare a list of questions. Don’t count on remembering everything you want to ask the camp director. Make a very thorough list covering every concern.

What to Look For in a Camp

You can count on this advice because it comes straight from experienced professionals managing camps for kids on the spectrum. Sylvia Van Meerton (Dragonfly Forest), Linda Tatsapaugh (Talisman Camps), Debbie Sasson (Camp Akeela), and Elsa Berndt (Camp Lakey Gap) generously offered some great information about what to look for in a summer camp. The parents added 100% agreement with these recommendations:

Size of camp. Most camps specializing in ASD have fewer campers at each session, however you may also want to ask about size as it relates to how many campers bunk together or the number of kids in group activities.

Ratio of campers to counselors. Special needs camps typically have ratios of 1:1 to 1:4 compared to regular camps that have 1:20+. Is there enough staff to allow individual attention to campers whenever necessary

Accreditation. Is the camp accredited by the American Camp Association? This is a good indicator of overall quality.

References. Will they put you in touch with another parent whose spectrum child has attended the camp?

Application form. This should be extensive so parents provide comprehensive information. This allows staff to get to know the family and the child – what causes meltdowns, fears, when to give cues or warnings. It also builds parents’ confidence in the camp’s ability to manage their child.

Staff training and background. How much autism-specific training is provided? By whom? This is a deal breaker because you must be confident that camp counselors understand autism and how to manage each child’s needs. At Camp Lakey Gap, counselors receive two weeks of training provided by experts from TEACCH and the Autism Society of America, and they interact with local special needs kids for experience.

Communication. Are phone calls from parents welcome? Do staff members regularly call home? Can parents talk to their child? Some camps find that conversations between campers and parents seldom help homesickness; other camps leave it to the parents’ discretion. This is another reason why it’s important for parents to trust the camp staff. Also ask if they do anything to facilitate ongoing communication between campers throughout the year. Camp Akeela fosters a sense of community through newsletters containing updates about individual campers all year long.

Homesickness. How do they deal with homesickness? At Talisman Camps, they encourage the children to write home, expressing how homesick they are. One mother said she was worried when she received a letter saying, “I hate camp. I’m 100% homesick.” But with each subsequent letter, her child’s rating of how homesick he was improved, creating a great visual tool for both parents and campers to see how well they were adjusting.

Medical personnel. Who oversees medication management? Do they have a nurse available 24/7? What are their procedures in case of an emergency?

Autism support. What specific supports do they provide? For example, at Dragonfly Forest, counselors use a whiteboard at each activity to prepare the kids by writing down the rules, what will happen, and what to say if they need a break. The counselors also carry a backpack with schedules, timers, paper/pen and a common high interest and/or soothing activity.

Behavior management. How do they manage difficult behaviors? What happens when a child has a meltdown? Ask how they’ll deal with specific challenges faced by your child. When do they call parents?

Daily schedule. What is a typical daily plan? Is it tailored for the child’s interests and needs? Is it flexible? Look for a structure that allows children to do activities at their own pace rather than being forced to keep up with the group.

Breaks and downtime. How do they allow for breaks? Are they built into the schedule? Do they have a quiet place or sensory room? Are procedures in place to allow a child to opt-out of an activity when needed? Do they teach campers how to express the need to opt-out?

Activities. Does the camp offer something your child will be interested in? Are there enough choices and different types of activities? In addition to summer activities like swimming and hiking, are there other less typical choices like cooking or wood shop?

Special diets. Can the kitchen accommodate your child’s special dietary needs? Who will monitor the child’s diet if he can’t/doesn’t himself?

Overall environment. This includes the physical and philosophical environment. Does the camp fit your child’s unique needs? What is their overall approach for dealing with autism?

Note: the article also includes sections on “How to Prepare for Camp” and “Anticipate the Unexpected.” Three additional strategy-packed articles are available to AADigest subscribers, in their Read More Online section of the website:

Decisions! Decisions! Questions to Guide You in Making a Camp Choice.
Many pieces of information must be collected and considered when you’re thinking about sending your child with autism/Asperger’s to camp. Let this printable list guide the process and help keep you organized!

Stumbling Blocks: Special Considerations for Special Needs Campers
Our Decisions! Decisions! list is a great cheat-sheet to print out and use as a guide. But some special considerations are likely to present a bigger stumbling block than others. We discuss distance to camp, dietary accommodations, neurotypical versus a special needs camp (with tips for each), and financial considerations (includes ideas for making camp happen no matter what the family’s financial status).

Words of Wisdom: From Parents and a Sibling About the Camp Experience

Copyright © Autism Asperger’s Digest. 2011. All Rights Reserved.
Distribution via print or electronic means prohibited without written permission of publisher.

April Only! Save! Subscribe to the award-winning Autism Asperger’s Digest for one-year (6 information packed issues) at the regular price of $29.95, receive a second year for just $15. That’s a 50% savings off the second year! Offer good April 1 – 30th in U.S. and Canada only. Subscribe online at www.autismdigest.com, or by calling Future Horizons at 800.489.0727.

Photo: Ben.Bowen/Flickr

California’s Camp Altitude has announced the dates for its 2011 autism summer camp, which serves children with Asperger’s, NLD, high-functioning autism, PDD-NOS and ADHD in grades 6 through 11.

Session One begins with a noon checkin time on Sunday, July 10 and ends with the 11:00 am closing ceremonies and a family lunch on July 24. Tuition for the all-inclusive camp is $3,700. During their stay at Camp Altitude, attendees will practice morning yoga and mediation, play sports, participate in arts and crafts activities and even toss around a Frisbee or two.

Camp Altitude is a smaller camp with 30 campers, 15 counselors and 3 professional staff members per session. If you’re interested in learning more about this California autism summer camp, call (408) 353-0377.

Photo: mikekanyo/Flickr

The dates have been set for the 2011 Dragonfly Forest Autism Summer Camp – June 21 – 26. The camp is designed for children between the ages of 7 and 14 that are on the autism spectrum. This includes individuals that are completely verbal and those that are non-verbal; those that can take care of their daily living skills themselves and those that need assistance. Truly, a camp for children at all stops on the autism spectrum. Unfortunately all of the male spots are already full but interested parties can be added to the wait list. The camp is still open for registration for female campers. For more information, please contact the camp at 610-298-1820.

Located in Ely, MN, Camp Buckskin provides a month-long summer camp to children with ADHD, learning disabilities and Asperger’s Syndrome. The camp has released information about its 2011 programs, which include two sessions:

Session I – June 12 to July 11, 2011
Session II – July 16 to August 14, 2011

Tuition for Session I is $4,025 and tuition for Session II is $4,275.

Campers at Camp Buckskin will participate in traditional summer camp activities like canoeing, archery and swimming but the camp programs go beyond the norm. Campers will also work on building friendships, personal organization, and other personal and life skills.

There are also several special events planned including Polar Bearing, in which campers and staff wake up before the daily siren and head down to the lake for a brisk swim – brr!

For more information, please visit the Camp Buckskin website or call 763-208-4805 (winter).

Photo: stevejb68/Flickr

I came across a gem of a website when researching 2011 autism summer camps today – Blue Compass Camps. According to the company’s website:

Blue Compass is a summer camp based out of Seattle, Washington for kids and teens ages 7-18 with Asperger’s, High-Functioning Autism, and ADHD who can benefit from outdoor adventures focused on building social and self confidence.

Registration is open for the 2011 Blue Compass summer camps. The following programs are on this year’s schedule:

• NW Expedition – Backpacking, sailing, sea kayaking and whitewater rafting – 15 day camp for children ages 13-18 – $3875 tuition
• Sea Kayaking – Sea kayaking in the San Juan Islands – 7 day camp for children ages 13-18 – $1685 tuition
• 7-Day Backpacking and Whitewater Rafting - 7 day camp for children ages 13-18 – $1685 tuition
• 2-Day Backpacking for children ages 13-18 – $350 tuition
• Treasure Island – 3 day Treasure hunt and camping for children 10-12 – $525 tuition
• Farm Camp – Working & playing on a farm and camping for children ages 13-18 – 5 day camp is $875
• The Lemonade Company – Day Camp Activities including swimming, arts & crafts and playing at the beach – children ages 7-9 – $525 for a 5 day session

There are multiple dates available for most of the camps and scholarships are available. Please visit the Blue Compass Camps website or call 866-683-6262 for more information.

My Aspie is an outdoors lover (as long as there are no bees around!) and I wish he were ready to go to a camp like this. He’s not there yet but maybe in a few years.

Photo: iom_mark/Flickr