Summer Camps for Kids With Autism Near Kingston, Ontario

The Ontario, Canada, government is committed to investing money ($530,000 in 2010) to help send hundreds of children and youth with autism to supportive camp environments while their families get a break from the challenges of daily care of their children. Over one-half of Autism Ontario's investment will reimburse approximately 500 families who must hire one-on-one support workers so their children can go to camp and benefit from the opportunity.



Kingston, one of many Ontario cities with strong support for families dealing with autism, has its own community-based organizations and summer camps.

Extend-A-Family Day Camp

• The community-based organization, Extend-a-Family of Kingston, offers "support, respite, inclusive seasonal camps and recreational programs for individuals and families of all ages and mixed abilities," according to the charitable group's mission statement. Extend-a-Family of Kingston has operated a summer camp for children with autism spectrum disorders since 1990.

  This camp offers individualized programming that is designed to meet each child's unique needs. Campers participate in a variety of activities, similar to the Integrated Camp. Staffing is usually 2:1 or 1:1. The goal is for every child to have a fun, successful time at camp. All children, especially those with autism spectrum disorders, need time to make a smooth transition into camp. Before camp starts, campers meet many of the staff and see the campus where they will attend camp.

  Staff members from Extend-A-Family prefer to meet each camper's teacher and educational assistant and to observe the child in his school environment. According to Extend-A-Family Kingston, "by getting to know the camper better, and by creating similar resources and communication tools used at school, and at home, the transition is easier on our campers."

  Many of the counselors have degrees that focus on autism behavioral sciences; some are social workers, behavioral therapists, youth workers and early childhood specialists.

Extend-A-Family Integrated Camp

• Every summer, over 100 children attend the Extend-A-Family Integrated Summer Day Camp, held at St. Lawrence College's Kingston Campus. This camp provides a safe environment where children with and without disabilities share fun activities. Camp is divided into three age groups: 4 to 8, 9 to 12 and 13 to 17. Children are given opportunities to experience acceptance, tolerance, community and inclusion as they participate in a variety of activities that promote physical and mental health. Weekly sessions have themes, planned dress-up days, events and recreation, such as swimming, canoeing, sports, arts and crafts, music, plus field trips to the beach and to local attractions. This all-day camp has weekly sessions that run five days a week throughout July and August.

  Many campers fully integrate into the regular camp with workers who are hired for their autism spectrum disorder knowledge, and if children become overwhelmed by the integrated camp experience, they can retreat to a special room for some quiet time.

Camp Kennebec

• Kerry's Place Autism Services serves children in Kingston and other eastern Ontario cities. They operate Camp Kennebec, which is located in Eastern Ontario on 900 acres of forested land and six miles of waterfront. Camp Kennebec is an inclusive residential summer camp for children with autism spectrum disorders, for those who have attention-deficit disorders, learning disabilities and behavioral needs, as well as for mainstream campers.

  Since the 1970s, Camp Kennebec has provided an exciting atmosphere, with varied group activities and individualized programming. The camp has a 2:1 camper-to-staff ratio and, amidst all the summer camp fun, a major focus is on social and life skills for the children who attend one-week, two-week, four-week or six-week residential sessions. The counseling staff includes teachers, behavioral therapists, educational assistants, experienced camping professionals and youth care workers.