New Camp for kids with Autism

Joins roster of camping options

For kids/adults with disabilities

Stepping Stones Center for children and adults with disabilities is launching its first summer residential camp just for children and teens with autism.

Teens with Asperger's, a high-functioning form of autism, will have their own camp program emphasizing social interaction and expressing their feelings.

"Teens with Asperger's often have social issues," said Tabbie Ross, residential and respite coordinator for Stepping Stones at Camp Allyn. "They need help expressing how they are feeling and what their needs are. A lot of kids with Asperger's go to typical camps, but a lot of times they are not successful because they feel pressured to perform at a faster pace, to keep up with other kids. Here they do things at their own pace. Our definition of success is totally different. It's not about who does the best. You don't have to hit the ball. Maybe you just want to hold the bat."

The “Sensory Celebration” camp runs June 29 through July 4 at Stepping Stones' Camp Allyn facility in Batavia. Cost is $700 or $850 for one-on-one assistance. Camp programs include sensory-centered activities to help children manage their moods and enjoy a true summer camp experience.

Group and individual activities will be personalized to each camper's pace. The Sensory Celebration camp includes swimming, fishing, bicycling, team and individual activities, crafts, nature, campfire songs and a camp party. Campers will get a DVD of their camp experience.

The Sensory Celebration is one of three residential camp sessions for children with disabilities offered by Stepping Stones.  Kids Kamp sessions, July 13-18 or Aug. 3-8, are designed for children age 6 to 16 who have any level of disability and their best buddies or siblings who share the camp experience with crafts, games, swimming, singing, campfires, scavenger hunts and crazy evening events. The camps welcome children with disabilities ranging from Down syndrome and cerebral palsy to autism, cognitive deficits, brain injury and multiple disabilities

Stepping Stones also offers residential camp programs for adults and summer day camps for children with disabilities.

Residential camps for adults with disabilities are open to campers 17 and older and include Art Camp, July 6-11; Sports Camp, July 27-Aug 1, and Nature Camp, Aug. 3-8.

All residential programs are at Camp Allyn in Batavia, a 47-acre camp and meeting facility owned by the Rotary Club of Cincinnati at 1414 Lake Allyn Rd., Batavia, Oh. 45103. Residential camps for children or adults are $700 or $850 for one-on-one assistance.

Day camp sessions for children age 5 through 22 run from mid-June through mid-August at Camp Allyn in Batavia and at Stepping Stones, 5650 Given Rd., Indian Hill. Day Camp fees are $40 per day or five days for $160. Sessions run 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Flexible scheduling available. Bus transportation to the Indian Hill day camp from neighborhood pick-up spots is available for $15 per day.

Information and camp applications are available on the Web site www.steppingstonescenter.org or by calling Marcie at 513-831-4660 ext. 10.

Stepping Stones also offers weekend planned respite sessions for children and adults with disabilities from October through April.

April 2008