Resource GuideAutism-Friendly Summer Camps and Programs
AutismBC
For Caregivers
Do you know of a Summer Camp program that we should have included on this list? Let us know here.
All camps are day camps unless otherwise noted. We do not oversee these programs but we wanted to make a searchable and regional list to help you plan for your loved ones.
Online:
Online Playgroups (Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society)
Sirotas Alchymy (martial arts) – Camps and day programs
Mentoring | MindJam (MindJam offers emotional support and guidance for children and adolescents through gaming and game design.) UK, available worldwide
Creative Interventions (Art therapy for autistic children)
Vancouver Coastal & Fraser Regions
Camps:
Zajac Ranch for Children *Registration now open for summer 2023 (Overnight)
Easter Seals Summer Programs *Registration now open for summer 2023 (Overnight)
Grouse Mountain Adventure Camps
Sasamat Outdoor Centre *Registration now open for summer 2023 (Overnight)
Supported Summer Day Camps (Vancouver Area) – – “Four supported summer day camps are offered by the community centre associations at Champlain, Dunbar, Hastings, and Hillcrest community centres” https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/adapted-and-integrated-programs.aspx Email: access.services@vancouver.ca
Pivot Point Day Camps (Cloverdale)
Camps – Autism & Developmental Disabilities Lab – Simon Fraser University (sfu.ca)
Science AL!VE @ Simon Fraser University (sciencealive.ca)
True Colours Consulting Inc. – Services, ABA Therapy, Horse Therapy – (Yarrow) Offers summer camps covered by AFU
Empowered by Nature – Empowered by Nature – Activities for All Abilities (ecoplay.ca) (Maple Ridge) – inclusive social groups, recreational therapy, educational programs, and outdoor programs
Camps for neurodivergent kids and youth during school breaks (thisworldsours.com)
Camps | Camps | LDS (ldsociety.ca)
Programs:
SpeechEase – Social Groups, Book Club, Adult Choir (Burnaby, Coquitlam)
Disabled Sailing Association of BC
Martial Arts (Sirota’s Alchymy)
Active Kids (UBC Vancouver Campus) *Registration opens April 3, 2023
Whistler Adaptive Sports Programs
Bike, Swim & Sport Programs (Pedalheads)
Adaptive Soccer (Player First)
This World is Ours (Vancouver)
STEM Sprouts – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (S.T.E.M.). Our STEM focused social groups are a place for neurodivergent students to thrive in an inclusive and safe environment. Located in Vancouver B.C. Summer registration is now open.
Summer Programs | LDS (ldsociety.ca) Registration now open!
Skill Building Programs:
Girls Group (Cloverdale & Clayton, Surrey & New Westminster)
Glamour Girls (ABA Learning Center)
Summer Jamboree (ABA Learning Center)
Pivot Point Family Growth Centers
Autism Campus Prep by Sinneave Foundation
Camps – Autism & Developmental Disabilities Lab – Simon Fraser University (sfu.ca)
Science AL!VE @ Simon Fraser University (sciencealive.ca) Now open for summer registration!
STEM Sprouts – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (S.T.E.M.). Our STEM focused social groups are a place for neurodivergent students to thrive in an inclusive and safe environment. Located in Vancouver B.C.
The. C.O.D.E. Initiative – At The C.O.D.E. Initiative, we believe every student should have access to inclusive, accessible, and tailored STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) opportunities. We are here to teach these topics through fun and inclusive education.
City of Vancouver Adapted Programs
Interior Regions
Camps:
Agur Lake Camp (Summerland) – for the whole family
Easter Seals Summer Programs *Registration now open for Summer 2023 (Overnight)
Branch Out Summer Camps (East Kootenays)
Silver Lake Camp *Registration now open for Summer 2023 (Overnight)
MacKenzie Camp (United Church of Canada) *Registration now open for Summer 2023 (Overnight)
Blue Lake Camps *Registration now open for Summer 2023 (Overnight) (Kootenays)
Canucks Autism Network (Kelowna & Kamloops)
Pivot Point Day Camps (Kamloops)
Pivot Point Day Camps (Cranbrook)
Mind Over Learning (Kelowna)
City of Kelowna Adaptive Summer Programs
Camp OC Registration opens April 5th, 2023
People in Motion (Kamloops)
Programs:
Skill Building Programs:
Pivot Point Family Growth Centers
Progressive Education Solutions
Mind Over Learning (Kelowna)
Northern Region
Camps:
Easter Seals Virtual Kids Camp@Home (Ages 6 – 18)
Ness Lake Bible Camp – Registration now Open!
Family Camp (roughacres.org) (Smithers)
Summer Camp – Camp Cal (campcaledonia.ca) (Smithers)
Programs:
Summer Club – YMCA of Northern BC
YMCA of Northern BC Outdoor Education
Active Minds Active Bodies | University of Northern British Columbia (unbc.ca)
Horses Touching Hearts Therapeutic Riding Association
Cimarron Way~Equine Assisted Learning – Your Life…Unbridled!
Skill Building Programs:
Active Minds Science PALS Camps (Ages 6-8) | University of Northern British Columbia (unbc.ca)
Active Minds Science Camps (Ages 9-12) | University of Northern British Columbia (unbc.ca)
UNBC Active Minds Programs | University of Northern British Columbia
Pivot Point Family Growth Center
EdGE Learning Centre (bvcls.com) (Smithers)
Smithers | Orchestra North (Smithers)
Rain or Shine Art Studio | Facebook (Prince Rupert)
The. C.o.d.e. Initiative
STEM at Home | University of Northern British Columbia (unbc.ca)
Home – Prince George Tennis and Pickleball Club (pgtennisandpickleball.ca)
Vancouver Island
Camps:
Little Steps Summer Camps *Registration opens in April for summer 2023
Easter Seals Summer Programs *Registration now open for summer 2023
Embrace Arts for All Abilities
Programs:
Lifetime Networks Provides 1:1 support for camps
Victoria Conservatory of Music
Lifetime Networks Summer Inclusion Programs
Outer Coast Outfitters | Facebook – Nanaimo area
Island Clinical Counselling Summer Groups (Nanaimo)
Skill Building Programs:
Pivot Point Family Growth Centers
Search and Rescue for Autism – Social Stories
Workshop Opportunities:
Family Support Institute of BC (FSI)
Province Wide
BC Wildlife Federation Youth Camps (day and overnight)
Need something more?
Kids Up Front – Kids at Home craft ideas and lesson plans
Sensory Regulation Summer Tips
Aide Canada Summer Fun Collection – collection of activities, ideas, low cost and accessible organizations.
Autism on the Road: 10 Tips for a Successful Summer Vacation
Playing Outdoors: Building Skills, Exploring and Creating Memories for Autistic Children
ACT (Autism Community Training) also has a more in-depth list of summer camps HERE
CAFBC Launches Send A Child To Summer Camp Fundraising Campaign (childrensautismfederationofbc.ca)
Camp Fees Supplement BC
Jumpstart – Individual Child Grants
Kamps for Kids Funding (Victoria BC only)
Athletics for Kids Sports Funding
Resources
Further Reading
A Guide to Individual Education Plans (IEPs) in BC
I remember the start of the school year after our son’s autism diagnosis being full of questions. It was difficult to know what information I needed […]
Transitioning to Summer with Your Autistic Child
Transition can refer to different types of changes. For example: daily transitions from one activity to another; life transitions into adulthood; annual transitions from the end of a school year to the summer. There are strategies and techniques that you can use to help manage transitions on any scale. Learn how to deal with transitioning to summer challenges for your child and your family.
An Extraordinary Summer
It feels like we started summer right after spring break (if only Mother Nature got that memo and brought the warm weather). Despite families homeschooling […]