Camp Connect is a 6-week summer camp program at Handi Kids designed to meet the developmental, social, and behavioral needs of children with Asperger's Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, and related challenges. Camp Connect includes recreational camp activities, team-building and social groups targeting communication and group skills. Children will be carefully placed in clinically-sound small groups to enhance their experience.

Program goals:

   1. To enhance participants' leisure skills and engagement in various recreational activities

   2. To increase campers' use of appropriate social skills in camp activities and beyond

   3. To provide campers a specialized, supportive, and fun summer program

   4. To create positive teamwork experiences for camp participants

Children served:

Camp Connect is designed for children and teens aged 4 - 16 with social challenges, whose diagnoses may include Asperger's Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, or related challenges. Camp Connect is appropriate for children who are functioning intellectually at or near grade level, but whose social interactions with their peers are immature or impaired. It is not appropriate for children with significant behavioral challenges.

Staffing:

Each Camp Connect group is staffed by 2 - 3 adults experienced in working with special needs children. The program has been designed in consultation with Mass General Hospital’s YouthCare. YouthCare will provide Asperger's/Autism-specific training and ongoing consultation to Camp Connect staff.

Interested applicants must submit a written application, and attend an Open House and interview.

Due to the unique nature of Camp Connect, campers will be accepted if they are a good fit for groups composed of other enrolled campers. Families will be notified by mail of their children's acceptance status.