THE CAMP EXPERIENCE

Our overnight camp sessions vary in length. Each Overnight provides a two-day, one-night overnight camp experience. Our summer sessions provide a lengthier stay totaling a four day, three-night overnight camp opportunity. Each camp offers a quality experience involving relationship development, recreation, and relaxation and is specifically designed to meet the needs of youth on the autism spectrum.

Key components that make Camp Encourage unique include but are not limited to:

  • direct social instruction
  • sensory supports
  • visual strategies
  • positive behavioral supports
  • peer models
  • the involvement of graduate and doctoral students
  • traditional camp activities as well as activities tailored around the individual campers' interests
  • an accepting, loving atmosphere that is staffed with high quality, well trained counselors, activity facilitators, medical personnel, and behavior specialists.

“This is Me”, a media piece by Tyler Wirken of Wirken Media. To view more stories about the transformative power of camp, visit our YouTube channel.

WHERE WILL CAMP TAKE PLACE?

Camp Encourage's offices are located in Westport, in Kansas City, Missouri. Our camp sessions, however, are held at Heartland Center β€” a beautiful camp facility located in Parkville, Missouri, just 15 minutes from the Kansas City International Airport and 30 minutes from downtown Kansas City. Features of the campgrounds include:

  • beautiful open fields among wooded spaces and hills
  • air-conditioned cabins and meeting spaces
  • food service facilities
  • pool with certified lifeguards
  • horseback riding
  • high ropes courses

GOALS FOR CAMPERS

We understand that each camper has his or her own interests, motivators, strengths, and areas for need of support and growth. Although we provide a great deal of individualized supports, many of our activities also aim to achieve the following set of general goals:

  • increasing skills of independence
  • enhancing one's self-esteem, self-understanding and awareness
  • increasing social abilities and connections
  • widening awareness of recreation opportunities and skills of recreation
  • strengthening emotional wellness

ACTIVITIES

Below are examples of past activities at Camp Encourage. Activities may vary from session to session, year to year, and may be subject to change.

  • archery
  • art therapy
  • arts and crafts
  • campfire songs
  • cooking and baking
  • drumming
  • fishing
  • games and puzzles
  • wagon rides
  • horseback riding
  • knitting
  • Lego construction
  • music composition
  • music therapy
  • photography
  • science-based activities
  • swimming
  • theater / improv comedy
  • videography
  • zipline

SAMPLE SCHEDULE

Below is a schedule for a sample day at camp. Schedules and activities vary from day to day, session to session, and are subject to change.

TIME ACTIVITY
7:00am Wake / Prepare for the day
7:45am Breakfast
8:30am Choice activities (Examples: STEM, Arts / Crafts, Laser Tag, etc.; based on campers' interests and abilities)
11:45am Lunch
12:30pm Choice activities (Examples: Zip line, Archery, STEM, Arts / Crafts, Motor Activities, etc; based on campers' interests and abilities)
4:00pm Rest and relaxation in cabin
5:45pm Dinner
6:30pm Evening activities (Examples: Swimming, S'mores campfire, Wagon ride, Carnival, Horseback riding, STEM, Arts / Crafts)
9:00pm Prepare for bed / Lights out

2024 CAMP SESSIONS

Below are our camp opportunities for youth ages ten to eighteen. We're counting down the days!

March 23-24
Overnight Session 1

Arrival: Saturday at 10am

Departure: Sunday at 3:30pm

June 11-14
Summer Camp Session 1

Arrival: Tuesday at noon

Departure: Friday at 9:45am
(Followed by a slideshow)

July 30-August 2
Summer Camp Session 2

Arrival: Tuesday at noon

Departure: Friday at 9:45am
(Followed by a slideshow)

October 19-20
Overnight Session 2

Arrival: Saturday at 10am

Departure: Sunday at 3:30pm

REUNION CAMP FOR ALUMNI

This camp is specifically designed for past campers that are now nineteen and older. We are so eager to see you again!

July 22-23, 2023
Alumni Reunion Camp Session

CampersΒ will have the option to select a Day or Overnight session. The Day Camp will run from 9:30am-8:00pm. Those staying overnight will be picked up around 3:00pm Sunday.

PEER MODELS

Camp Encourage accepts a limited number of Peer Models to attend camp. Peer Models are individuals not on the autism spectrum, between the age of ten and eighteen. They reside in the cabins overnight with the autistic campers, participate in all camp activities, and are expected to serve as positive role models.Β They participate in Camp Encourage like all other campers and are NOT β€œJunior Counselors” or helpers.

CAMP COST

Includes quality planning, specialized materials and supports, meals, comfortable cabins, and tailored activities. Please note that scholarships are available (see below). Applicants are encouraged to apply for support.

CAMPER

Overnight Session (two days, one night): $595

Summer Overnight Session (four days, three nights): $1295

PEER MODEL

Overnight Session (two days, one night): $195

Summer Overnight Session (four days, three nights): $425

ALUMNI

Reunion Day Camp: $225

Reunion Overnight Camp (two days, one night): $595

APPLYING FOR CAMP & SCHOLARSHIPS

Please visit the Prospective Camper Information, Peer Model Information, or Alumni Information page find detailed information on requirements, the application process, and scholarship opportunities.

Please do not let the cost deter you from applying. We work diligently throughout the year to make this opportunity available to a variety of campers. A large number of our past campers have received partial or full scholarship support. In fact, all families that have expressed a need for financial support through the application process in past years were offered scholarship funding.

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Enter registration code CEKC when creating your account.


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Download our app to stay up to date on camp sessions, events, fundraisers, and more! Enter registration code CEKC when creating your account.

View complete app setup details.