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Resource Guide

Autism-Friendly Summer Camps and Programs

June 1st, 2023

AutismBC

For Caregivers

Summer can be the highlight of a child’s year, but it can also be full of adjustments. We have compiled a list of Autism-Friendly Summer Programs; Overnight & Day Camps, Skill Building Programs, Online Social Events and more to help you and your family plan! This list will grow as we discover additional programs, so feel free to check back regularly.

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. While AutismBC does not oversee these programs, we wanted to make a searchable and regional list to help you with your planning. 

Online: 

Canucks Autism Network 

Easter Seals Summer Programs

Recreational Respite 

Therapy Through Arts 

Online Playgroups (Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society) 

The C.O.D.E Initiative 

This Worlds Ours  

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 (Neurodiverse friendly. Please reach out to the camp to ensure they can accommodate your child before registering. Please note this camp does not accept autism funding at this time.) 

Sasamat Outdoor Centre *Registration now open for summer 2023 (Overnight) 

Unique Get Together Society

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 centreshttps://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/adapted-and-integrated-programs.aspx  Email: [email protected] 

Pivot Point Day Camps (Cloverdale) 

Simon Fraser University — Autism & Developmental Disabilities Lab — Camps

Science AL!VE @ Simon Fraser University

True Colours Consulting Inc. – Services, ABA Therapy, Horse Therapy — (Yarrow) Offers summer camps covered by AFU 

Empowered by Nature — Activities for All Abilities  (Maple Ridge) — inclusive social groups, recreational therapy, educational programs, and outdoor programs 

Camps for neurodivergent kids and youth during school breaks (thisworldsours.com) 

LDS Society Camps

Programs | BC Association for Advancing Communications (bcaac.ca) – PANDA AAC Camp 2023 is open to children ages 5-14.   

  • Camp dates: Tuesday-Friday, July 25-28 (9:30am-2:30pm) and Saturday, July 29 (9:30am-12:30pm) 
  • Where: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC  
  • Cost: $150 (includes camp fees and a T-shirt for camper) 
Programs: 

Canucks Autism Network 

BC Association for Advanced Communications – BCAAC is a non-profit organization focused on promoting literacy for everyone and supporting *AAC users, educators, and families in British Columbia.

SpeechEase — Social Groups, Book Club, Adult Choir (Burnaby, Coquitlam)

Club Aviva Gymnastics 

Disabled Sailing Association of BC 

Ready. Set. Volunteer. Easter Seals

Ages: 17 – 29 years

Cost: $300/week ($240 for Week 3)

Dates Offered: July 24 – 28, July 31 – August 4,  August 8 – 11 and August 14 – 18

Soccer Shots — Fraser Valley

Martial Arts (Sirota’s Alchymy) 

Active Kids (UBC Vancouver Campus) *Registration opens April 3, 2023 

Whistler Adaptive Sports Programs 

Bike, Swim & Sports Programs (Pedalheads) 

Spectrum Skateboard Society 

Adaptive Soccer (Player First) 

Far Out Recreation Society

Empowered by Nature

All Bodies Dance 

Terrific Theatre

Blazin’ Soccer Dogs FC

Girls Club

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.

The. C.O.D.E. InitiativeEmpowering underrepresented youth in the fields of coding & S.T.E.A.M.

LDS Society Summer Program — Registration is now open!

Skill Building Programs: 

Girls Group (Cloverdale & Clayton, Surrey & New Westminster) 

Glamour Girls (ABA Learning Center) 

Summer Jamboree (ABA Learning Center) 

RISE Summer Camps 

Daybreak Summer Programs 

Pivot Point Family Growth Centers  

Autism Campus Prep by Sinneave Foundation

SFU Autism & Developmental Disabilities Lab Camps

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.

Therapeutic Summer Camp | Summer Social | Vancouver – few spots remaining! 

City of Vancouver Adapted Programs  

Power for All Adventure Therapy — Power for All Adventure Therapy provides universal access to adventure-based activities to people from all walks of life in spite of physical, cognitive, social ability and financial resources. We are supported by community partners and volunteer efforts!

Exceptional Minds Summer Workshops  – Exceptional Minds is now offering virtual Summer Workshops! We are excited to provide students on the autism spectrum with digital art classes for summer fun or exploring a possible career path.
Workshops are taught over Zoom by our professional instructors and include:

  • Character animation
  • Motion graphics
  • 3D modeling
  • Video game creation and more
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)

Eagle Bay Camp 

Blue Lake Camps *Registration now open for Summer 2023 (Overnight) (Kootenays) * Support worker costs not included in camp fees

Canucks Autism Network (Kelowna & Kamloops) 

Pivot Point Day Camps  (Kamloops)  

Pivot Point Day Camps (Cranbrook)  

Mind Over Learning (Kelowna)  

City of Kelowna Summer Camps 

City of Kelowna Adaptive Summer Programs 

Camp OC Registration opens April 5th, 2023 

People in Motion  (Kamloops) 

Programs: 

Okanagan Science Center 

Skill Building Programs: 

Pivot Point Family Growth Centers 

Progressive Education Solutions 

Vista Academy 

Mind Over Learning (Kelowna) 

Access to Angling Program  

Northern Region 
Camps: 

Easter Seals Virtual Kids Camp@Home (Ages 6 – 18)

Ness Lake Bible Camp — Registration now Open!

Gateway Behaviour Services

Pivotpoint PG  

Camp Kanannaq YMCA

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)

Canucks Autism Network 

Horses Touching Hearts Therapeutic Riding Association 

Wyld Acers Farm & Arena 

Cimarron Way~Equine Assisted Learning – Your Life…Unbridled!

Northern BC — inGIRLS CLUB

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 

Art 4 Life Therapy 

Possibilities 

Pivot Point Family Growth Center 

Sylvan Learning Prince George 

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)

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 

Sooke Community Living Camps 

Programs: 

Different Minds Academy

Rise Behaviour 

Cowichan Therapeutic Riding 

Wild Craft Play 

Lifetime Networks Provides 1:1 support for camps  

Performing Arts (Embrace) 

Performing Arts (SKAM) 

Kaleidoscope Theatre 

Victoria Conservatory of Music 

Vertical Performing Arts 

Lifetime Networks Summer Inclusion Programs

Victoria Therapeutic Riding 

Outer Coast Outfitters | Facebook – Nanaimo area

Far Out Recreation Society

Island Clinical Counselling Summer Groups (Nanaimo) 

Canucks Autism Network 

Skill Building Programs: 

Pivot Point Family Growth Centers 

RISE Behaviour Services 

Little Steps Therapy Services 

Inglis Professional Tutoring 

Search and Rescue for Autism – Social Stories

Workshop Opportunities: 

Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) 

Family Smart “In the Know”

Province Wide 

BC Wildlife Federation Youth Camps (day and overnight) 

Need something more? 

Recreational Respite 

Kids Up Front – Kids at Home craft ideas and lesson plans

Camps.ca 

Special Olympics BC 

Support Worker Central 

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 

Summer Fun at Home 

 

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) 

Kid Sport Canada Funding   

Athletics for Kids Sports Funding  

Ensuring Recreation Includes Everyone Resource Guide  

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