Autism Summer Camps
Kamp A-Kom-Plish, YouthCare, & Surfers Healing for Autistic Campers
Jan 28, 2008
Attending a summer camp is a tradition that isn’t reserved for those without special needs. Several camps, located around the United States, provide a unique recreational opportunity for children and young adults on the autism spectrum. Read on to find out more information on an autism summer camp in your area.
Kamp A-Kom-Plish in Maryland
Featuring traditional summer camp activities like campfires, horseback riding, and archery, Kamp A-Kom-Plish campers come from a variety of backgrounds with various special needs, including those with autism spectrum disorders. In addition to the classic sleep away camp, Kamp A-Kom-Plish also features a day camp for children aged 6-12 allowing the child to ease into the summer camp experience.
Kamp A-Kom-Plish is located in Nanjemoy, Maryland and provides an opportunity for both typically-developing campers and those with autism spectrum disorders to learn from each other. For more information, the camp can be reached at (301) 870-3226 or (301) 934-3590.
YouthCare in Massachusetts
A program of the Massachusetts General Hospital, YouthCare is a summer camp for children that are entering first grade through age 15 who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, including Asperger’s Syndrome. The camp was founded in 1969 and “offers a fun-filled seven-week therapeutic day camp for children.”
Camp attendees participate in customary summer camp activities like swimming, fishing, and drama. However, YouthCare also has therapeutic offerings; social coaching and pragmatics instruction are just two of the activities unique to an autism summer camp like YouthCare. The camp can be contacted at (617) 726-0060.
Surfers Healing in California
Surfers Healing, a Foundation for Autism, is a free summer camp located in San Juan Capistrano, California. The camp has been featured on ABC’s Nightline and the CBS News with Katie Couric. The founders of the camp are parents of a child with autism and discovered that the ocean, and surfing, proved to be a therapeutic experience for their son.
The organization is run by a team of dedicated volunteers. Registration for the day camp begins every April and due to a high demand, registration is usually only open for 24 hours. For more information on this truly unique autism summer camp experience, please contact Surfers Healing at (866) 647-HEAL.
These three camps are dedicated to providing children with an autism spectrum disorder the summer camp experience that so many children cherish.
For more information on other establishments dedicated to those with an autism spectrum disorder read CA Asperger’s Syndrome Schools, New Jersey/New York Autism Schools, and Private Autism Schools in CT/MA.
Sources:
Kamp A-Kom-Plish
YouthCare
Surfer’s Healing
