Spectrum Summer Camp

At Spectrum Day Camp, the goal is to influence others for the better every day. Our summer camp program aims to improve the lives of everyone who participates, including kids, families, volunteers, knowledgeable staff, and members of the neighborhood. Our core social skills curriculum, which describes the skills that campers are exposed to every day, serves as the cornerstone of our approach to the summer camp experience. Beyond just having fun, Spectrum Day Camp has much more of an agenda. One of the many anticipated outcomes of deliberate camp programming is fun. At Spectrum Day Camp, everything we do is deliberate and motivated by our fundamental values and goal. Everything has a purpose, from how activities are led to how we connect with campers to how staff members engage with one another. The intentional approach taken by Spectrum Camp and Clubs to the summer camp experience offers kids a real-world, experiential curriculum that fosters the growth of social and life skills.

The Srama Club At Spectrum Summer Camp

It is directed by a theater specialist who has a lot of experience working with both kids and people who have autism.

Children with HFA/Aspergers Syndrome through young adults, as well as their siblings, are welcome to join the group. Participants will get the chance to explore the arts of improv, drama, puppetry, and music with their peers in Drama Club, which will provide them the chance to develop their communication skills in front of a small group or a bigger audience. According to research, kids who take part in drama and acting classes get better at responding to and reacting to fictitious events and emotions, and they eventually learn to apply these talents to their everyday lives. A child’s self-confidence, communication skills, and peer relationships can all be enhanced via acting.

Throughout the academic year, Drama Club meets once a week and puts on a show. The Hobbit, Charlotte’s Web, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Seussical the Musical, Shrek the Musical, Jr. and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Honk, JR, The Lion King, Jr., High School Musical, Jr., and Into the Woods are just a few of the plays that the Spectrum Drama Club has previously performed. With many of our cast members returning each year, our Drama Club has been quite well-liked and successful. High School Musical, Jr. was the Drama Club player this year. The Drama Club at Spectrum is run by Social Skills Today.

At Spectrum Summer Day Camp, Every Day

Committed to having a positive impact on others. Our summer camp program aims to improve the lives of everyone who participates, including kids, families, volunteers, knowledgeable staff, and members of the neighborhood.

The core social skills curriculum, which describes the skills that campers are exposed to every day, serves as the cornerstone of our approach to the summer camp experience.

Beyond just having fun, Spectrum Day Camp has much more of an agenda. One of the many anticipated outcomes of deliberate camp programming is fun.

At Spectrum Summer Day Camp, everything we do is deliberate and motivated by our fundamental values and goal. Everything has a purpose, including how activities are led, how we connect with campers, and how staff members engage with one another.

They teach their staff and volunteers how to instruct, converse, and think within the deliberate camp framework. Staff members are skilled professionals in education and medicine who are familiar with the traits of and research-based treatment methods for people with autism and Asperger’s. Each camper who attends day camp benefits from our camp staff’s expertise in fostering strong social and life skills in an organized and encouraging atmosphere.

The intentional approach taken by Spectrum Camp and Clubs to the summer camp experience offers kids a real-world, experiential curriculum that fosters the growth of social and life skills.

What Is The Summer Camp Journey At Spectrum?

The overnight camp offered by Spectrum focuses on developing social skills, friendships, teamwork, etiquette, and self-esteem. Directed social skills education is part of the camp activities in a normal overnight camp setting. The amenities provided to campers include daily hot meals, heated and air-conditioned cabins, and a range of traditional overnight camp activities. Depending on the weather, activities could include swimming, hiking, fishing, archery, climbing, canoeing, sports, and more.

Can anyone attend?

Pre-Teens, Teens, and Young Adults with High Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome from age ten and up to adults with mild to moderate HFA/Asperger’s

Newest Program at Spectrum Summer Camp For Lego

Introducing the newest program from Spectrum Camps & Clubs!

Members of the LEGO Club pilot will work together to construct LEGO models. Members will collaborate in groups of two, three, or more rather than working alone to construct LEGO kits. In order for participants to engage in social contact and verbal and nonverbal communication, members will be assigned to various but interdependent roles. Professional personnel skilled in the traits and techniques required to promote social interaction among the members will stress and coach key social experiences such as collaboration, joint attention, division of labor, sharing, and turn-taking.

Beginning with our 2018 sessions, age-appropriate LEGO Club classes will take place twice a night. We will cater to a Middle/Adult group and an Elementary group (ages 5 to 11). (ages 10-22). Please make sure to register for the session based on the age range you fall under. Members of the school system’s Level 3 or Level 4 special education classes, as well as students in standard education classes who lack social skills, are eligible for this program. Ages between 5-22. Social Skills Today will oversee the Thursday evening meetings of the LEGO Club at New Directions.

Spectrum Technology Club Summer Camp

The Technology Club is off to a terrific start, and we are thrilled to share the details of our next winter 2020 session! For anyone aged 11 to 40, in grades six and up, this group will meet on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at New Directions, 4545 Suwanee Dam Rd, Suwanee. For our six-week fall and six-week winter sessions, the program costs $180; family support and waivers are accepted for this program. For those using these funding sources, a 25% deposit is necessary; however, a code will be provided for registration, and once the invoice has been paid, a refund will be offered. Dates for the winter session will be released. Members of the club will take pleasure in sharing ideas and working on technology projects in small groups with their friends, all the while honing crucial teamwork, leadership, and responsibility skills.

In order to promote positive individual and group experiences, technology and social activities will be tailored to the group based on the participants’ ages, abilities, and motivations. The interactive element of this program may include projects like coding games, web design, photo slideshows, recording, and acting in movies. Everyone in the club will be urged to play to their abilities. Social Skills Today is in charge of running the Technology Club.

Adventures At Spectrum Summer Camps

In order to strengthen families and communities, Spectrum Adventures Camps encourage parents of autistic children to create a village of like-minded individuals. Hearing about the experiences and mutual support of other families going through similar circumstances is extremely valuable to families. Our camps offer chances for new experiences in a secure and supportive setting, which helps families build stronger bonds. A variety of teamwork and problem-solving exercises are included in the program, which promotes personal development and improves family ties. When their child tries out a new activity and later gains more self-confidence, parents frequently express surprise and joy.

The family has experienced great satisfaction in seeing their kids make friends. Through the development of our camp parent network, new connections are promoted, and some camp families now regularly interact outside of the camp setting. The self-confidence and self-awareness of the kids increase when they leave camp. Families depart with a sense of empowerment and kinship.

Camp Specifics
The camps last for two days and nights. Over the course of the day, team-building and adventure activities will take place, with planned breaks for food and socializing. Families participate in a variety of activities suitable for people of all ages and capability levels. Inspiring their development and strengthening family ties, parents are urged to participate in activities with their kids. Families have access to additional leisurely activities that promote the development of both fine and gross motor skills during the camp. Both kids and adults can enjoy Legos, puzzles, board and card games, arts and crafts, and gross motor play equipment. Children can practice their social skills and make friends during this unstructured time. By promoting and modeling social skills, our camp staff members help campers form friendships. The Calming Room at Spectrum Adventure’s camps was created in collaboration with an occupational therapist. The space has equipment and tools for emotional control, including miniature emotional regulation tools, a relaxing boat, and pod swings, which will help people regulate if they are feeling overwhelmed. A variety of emotional regulation tools and equipment will be available for parents and kids to try out, and they will be able to expand their understanding of emotional regulation techniques. Families have shared methods and gained more insight into how to assist positive emotional regulation as a result of using the Calming Room. Families are accommodated in private rooms, so they have a place to call their own. The camp has complete catering, including all meals.

Guidelines For Including Autistic Children In Day Camp

All kids should be able to have a good time at camp this summer. For most children, the idea of sending their child to a summer camp full of strangers with autism and a new schedule can be terrifying. For children with autism, this adjustment is even more challenging. To secure those autistic kids will not miss out on this funny childhood experience, there are techniques to make this transition simpler for them.

Adapting to a camp environment for children with autism:

• Before the program starts, get to know the counselors, staff, and new teachers.
• Tell the new teachers, staff, and counselors what your child responds to best, such as first/then phrases, praise, or specific words.
• Describe any “triggers” that might prompt your autistic child to throw a fit.
• Before letting your child go to school for the first time, take a tour of the facilities with him.
• To prevent surprises, give your child a timetable of what his day at camp will entail.
• Read a social narrative to your youngster about camp, following rules, and making friends.
• For this transition to be successful, communication between parents and camp personnel is essential. Summer camp should be a positive experience for everyone if everyone is cooperating and on the same page.

How to Pick The Best Spectrum Summer Camp For Your Child With Autism in 5 Easy Steps

Summer is almost around the corner as the school year comes to a conclusion. As parents, we work to pack the summer with educational opportunities while juggling traditional summertime activities and creating cherished family experiences. Children all throughout the nation frequently include summer camps in their plans. But selecting a summer camp can be a difficult undertaking for families with children who have special needs, such as those who are autistic. How does one start? The following five stages will help you and your family choose the best summer camp for your autistic child.

Take your child’s interests and needs into account.
Do your kids prefer indoor pursuits like arts and crafts, or do they favor outdoor pursuits like kayaking or fishing? Will a day program be a better fit for your child, or is he or she ready for a sleepaway camp? How does your kid get along with their neurotypical classmates? Will your kid benefit more from a mainstream inclusion program that accepts both neurotypical and children with special needs, or would they perform better in a focused program with friends who share their abilities? Talk about your ideas with your child’s support group, which may include their teacher, counselor, psychologist, medical professional, aid, etc. When you are not around, these people ought to be able to provide their opinions about your child’s interests and skills to assist you in making an informed choice. Additionally, keep in mind that camp is designed to encourage your kid to try new things and push themselves outside of their comfort zones. As a result, you’ll want to find a program that not only fits with the larger objectives you and your child share but also challenges them to develop.

Investigate available options.
Now that you have identified your interests, you may start exploring programs using the plethora of information available online (for example, a specialized ASD camp offering sleepaway options for 1-2 weeks in duration with equine activities). To gain a general overview of program alternatives, locations, fees, and reviews, look through national websites. Examine and contrast the websites of each program to learn more about its accreditations, client testimonials, future events, past camp pictures and videos, contact information, and overall professionalism.

Discussions with other parents.
It’s likely that other parents who have children in your child’s class or school have sent them to various local and international programs. These parents can share their perspectives on the selection process as well as their feelings about the camps themselves. You can learn how the parents felt about the camp’s ease of enrollment if they eventually thought it was a good fit for their child, the advantages they noticed once their child attended, etc. To receive thorough feedback, be sure to ask specific questions regarding your areas of interest. You might also request that your child’s teacher or guidance counselor introduce you to other parents at the school who might be able to share their experiences from the summer with you. You can find more reviews by connecting with other parents through local support networks or online social media platforms (like Facebook parent groups).

Prospective programs are questioned (and visited).
Schedule phone interviews with program directors and/or key staff who can provide you with more information on their specific camp once you have whittled down your list of potential programs. To avoid forgetting anything important or getting lost in the staff’s instructions, prepare a list of questions in advance. Think about issues like What is the philosophy of your program; Give an example of a normal day and night schedule; What facilities are available for sleeping, bathing, and eating; what medical services are available on-site; what adjustments can be made if my child is unable or unable to participate; How are parents informed of session progress? How can I get in touch with my child if I need to? Can I get in touch with parents from past sessions for their opinions? If it is possible, plan a trip to the program’s campus so you can see the accommodations your child will be using and tour the amenities. This will enable you to have a better sense of the program, confirm that it has been accurately depicted, and help you to better prepare your child for the experience by enabling you to describe what they will encounter at camp.

Take into account financial support.
Summer camps can be expensive, especially if you look at specialist options in addition to local options. There will be camp fees, transport costs, and the cost of any equipment or clothing required for the event. Although many parents recognize the significance of the money spent on specialized summer camps and do not question their return on investment, preparing and creating a budget can be challenging. If you require financial assistance, start the process as soon as you can and speak with the camp about your choices. Some camps provide help to campers, usually with guidelines and deadlines. Talk to your chosen camp honestly and directly so you can get them the information they need as soon as possible. Scholarships are occasionally offered by national organizations, including Autism Speaks. To learn about potential neighborhood opportunities, such as those offered by a nearby Kiwanis or Rotary club, you can also chat with your child’s school counselor. Some kids also qualify for additional financial aid from their state.

Your special needs child will have a fantastic summer at the camp you’ve chosen, develop new skills, and gain confidence with little planning and preparation. Planning is essential to choosing the best summer camp for your autistic kid, getting financial aid, and enrolling early to secure your space for the summer.

F.A.Q.

How can you inspire kids with autism?

Include educational tasks in your favorite activities and themes. Consider planning tasks and activities from the perspective of the learner to provide meaningful results. Change up your jobs and activities periodically rather than making them boringly repetitive. Instead, seize the chance to deepen your understanding when your interest is strong.

Adapting to a camp environment for children with autism:

Before letting your child go to school for the first time, take a tour of the facilities with him. To prevent surprises, give your child a timetable of what his day at camp will entail. Read a social narrative to your youngster about camp, following rules, and making friends.

What advantages can summer camps provide for children with autism?

There was a piece that talked about the advantages of a particular summer camp for kids with autism and how it affected them. The parents of 40 children and teenagers who attended Camp New Amigos completed surveys before, during, and after the camp programs as part of the study The Impact of Summer Camp on Social Capabilities for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Conclusion: Teens and kids with autism spectrum disorders who participated in the summer day camp program showed statistically significant improvements. The five primary areas that the researchers examined were communication, initiation, reciprocity, social cognition, and perspective-taking abilities.

How can I pick the ideal summer camp setting for my autistic child?

First and foremost, a great summer camp experience starts with the individual. Parents are the foremost authorities on their children’s needs, skills, and interests. Can kids on the Spectrum make friends? There are several camps available that offer a fun and traditional camp experience while also offering chances for development in areas like boosting self-confidence, swimming, learning to build relationships, and providing opportunities for social interaction with others.

Children and teenagers with autism are typically eager to make friends. But kids frequently require assistance to comprehend and pick up techniques for developing and maintaining buddies. Starting and carrying on discussions are examples of these abilities.

Is being on the autism spectrum a sign of being autistic?

Children who are on the Spectrum, as defined by both professionals and laypeople, have some kind or degree of autism. Depending on where your child is on this Spectrum, they will display various behavioral tendencies. The most severe form of autism is known as classic autism, often known as an autistic disorder.