The Little Blue Schoolhouse Support Services in Barrie is hosting summer camp for teens and young adults with autism.
They expect 18 to 20 campers for eight weeks starting in July.
Ahead of that there is a fundraiser to help to pay for some of the students to attend for free.
Executive Director Greg Kliewer says "Some do the whole eight weeks and some do two week segments. We work with the profoundly autistic and they thrive on routine so to complete a program that is so out of their regular schedule is a real accomplishment. They often start out having difficulty engaging with others and keep to themselves but very soon they start to take part in activities."
Many make friends who last well beyond summer camp." It can also be of great benefit to caregivers who can get a bit of a reprieve. "We have staff trained in crises prevention and offer a low counsellor to camper ratio."
The events centre on recreation but also have some life skills training mixed in.
Kliewer explains there is mini golf, bowling, swimming, hiking and daily community outings and with that comes some yard work, gardening and learning to tidy up the surroundings.
Everything takes place at the camp location at 454 Mapleview Drive West in Barrie.
There is a massive rummage sale and barbecue planned to raise cash for the participants on June 23, also at the same location.
Camp begins July 2 and enrolment is open now at www.littleblueschoolhouse.org
