“During Lost Arts Week, I enjoy the Lost Art of hanging out with my family and new friends.” Lynne ~ New Jersey
Families Celebrating the Autism Spectrum
Camp Kaleidoscope 2010, which ran from 6/24 – 6/27, was a great success! This was our 4th Annual Camp Kaleidoscope and it seems to get better every year. We hosted 18 families making it 62 family members. In addition to our happy campers, 31 students (Speech Language Pathology students as well as other fields) attended the program working one-on-one with families creating a unique experience for future experts in the field of autism – and who better to learn from than families, right? We were also lucky to have over 40 staff and volunteers contribute to the weekend. Thanks to everyone who made Camp Kaleidoscope 2010 one to remember!
Please check back for 2011 information and read below to learn more about the program.
What do catching frogs, camp fires, and wishing on stars have to do with autism?
Traditionally not much. However, at Camp Kaleidoscope amazing and unexpected things have happened.
Camp Kaleidoscope is so innovatively simple and refreshingly uncomplicated that it is hard to believe possible. Worldwide, when people talk about what really matters to them, it is family. Having a kid with autism doesn’t change this priority, but it can make family time challenging and less than relaxing. Kids with autism and their families need a unique type of situation to feel physically and emotionally safe to rejuvenate and play together.
We have successfully run this camp twice with the input from professionals, parent advocates and family voices to insure that the needs of all participants were met. At Camp Kaleidoscope families can explore as many optional programs and activities as they can squeeze into a day. We offer art, sensory, and nature based discovery programs. The programs have been mindfully developed to be universally accessible for all of our campers. For parents we have special presentations on advocacy and trends in autism. For siblings we provide a special time planned to celebrate their role in the family.
The goal of Camp Kaleidoscope is very simple…..to provide a relaxing summer camp experience where families affected by autism can enjoy a memorable vacation and create positive memories.
"It was the highlight of our summer. My son only wishes we could be there ‘so I can just be me.’ The camp has inspired him to ‘go to MIT and invent something so I can make a place like that here in Billerica.” Marie ~ Massachusetts
"A further compelling aspect of the camp for me was watching the young adult professionals in training who served as volunteer family partners gain insight during their days working with families. Rarely do these professionals have such an opportunity to see what everyday life is like for families.” ~Nora Wells – Family Voices, MA
There’s a lot to do at Camp Kaleidoscope!
- Explore nature
- Sing at the campfire
- Squish play dough
- Take an afternoon nap
- Talk about autism . . . or not
- Paint a picture
- Build a fairy house
- Swing on the swing set
- Roll down the hill
- Read in the quiet room
“Autism isolates. Autism hurts. Our child has autism. Our family has autism. Our life has become autism. The blessing of Camp Kaleidoscope helps us to experience the joy autism can bring when the world cares enough to create a space for us.” ~A 2008 Camper
“My kids never saw lightning bugs before we slept in a cabin at camp. We all stayed up late and watched the little lights flicker in our beds while we fell asleep.” ~Trish – NY
Food at Camp Kaleidoscope
Our food is usually vegetarian but we are planning some meat options for this camp. There will be gluten and casein free choices at every meal. We do have a kitchen for campers to use themselves if necessary.
A tentitive 2010 menu is now available! Click here to view.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Families who have an aide are welcome to bring an aide to camp. There will be no charge for aides.
- Each will family will be assigned a family partner. These volunteers will help facilitate camp life for the families.
- Children Under 3 – Camp Kaleidoscope is a family program. If you have someone less than 3 years old in your family, we will look forward to meeting them! Although we do not have staff to provide care for these little campers, we want to talk about the best way to support your families’ rejuvenation time at Common Ground Center.
- Teens – Our programs are enjoyable for multi age campers of all abilities. We also have a very energetic, flexible and creative team eager to be your families host for the weekend. Activities have been known to evolve to meet individual camper’s interests at the drop of the hat. We have areas that are primarily used by teens with books, games, and stuff of interest to this age group.
- Family Partners – Each family will have a volunteer as a family partner as available for the weekend. These volunteers are primarily graduate students who will soon be working as professionals in human services. They are graciously giving their time, as a gift to your family. They will be available to provide a helping hand when they can and support your family retreat.
Volunteer opportunities are available - please call the office for more information at 1-800-430-2667.
