Summer Camps

Let's Get Ready for Camp!
It's almost summer time, and as school wraps up, it's time to start thinking about the summer. Choosing a summer camp for an individual with autism can be difficult, and is one more task to add to your family's already busy schedule.

This month's Community Connections provides resources to guide your decision about which camp will best suit your child and your family's needs and interests. Start planning early so everyone gets to enjoy the summer!

Click here to see a checklist that will help you evaluate your options, and ultimately find the best camp for your family member with autism.

The Baker Summer Camp Program
Autism Speaks awarded scholarships to more than 330 campers at 51 camps across the country through the Autism Speaks Baker Summer Camp Scholarship Program. The camps were responsible for choosing the scholarship recipients based on an autism diagnosis, financial need, and the individual's opportunity for growth and development through the camp experience.

Click here to read more about the Baker Summer Camp Scholarship Program and to see a list of the camps that scholarship awardees will be attending.

Spotlight on Camps

For this month's Community Connections, we interviewed Sunkids, a day camp in southern California, and Extreme Sports Camp, a residential camp in Colorado to learn more about their programs and how they serve individuals with autism.
Click here to read about Sunkids Summer Camp, offered by the Center for Developing Kids in Pasadena, CA.

Click here to read about Extreme Sports Camp, a residential camp in Aspen, CO.

Finding a Scholarship
Summer camps can be expensive. Some work will be required on your part to research and contact camps. But the good news is that most camps offer scholarships or provide a sliding scale based on financial need. Once you find the camp, you may want to ask important questions regarding scholarships and financial aid.

Click here for Helpful Tips on Finding a Camper Scholarship.

Tips and Resources for Finding the Perfect Camp

Click here for a Glossary of Camp Terms to help guide you through the process.

Click here to search our Resource Guide for summer camps in your area!