About Us

all about akeela

Camp Akeela campers are completing grades 3–10 and are excited about a traditional camp experience that supports their social growth. Parents and teachers describe them as bright, kind, creative and well-behaved. They have above average intelligence and are typically academically successful in mainstream school settings, although may receive extra help with executive functioning skills, social pragmatics, or other social deficits.

Our campers genuinely enjoy interacting with peers, but often struggle to make deeper, more meaningful social connections. They may need practice and guidance in reading nonverbal cues, exhibiting conversational empathy, or understanding social nuances. Families often report that, without facilitation, their children tend to socialize more easily with younger kids or adults.

CELEBRATING NEURODIVERSITY: AUTISM SPECTRUM (ASD LEVEL 1, FORMERLY CALLED ASPERGER’S), NONVERBAL LEARNING DISABILITY (NLD), ADD/ADHD

Most of our campers identify as neurodivergent, often with a diagnosis of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), ADD/ADHD, or a social-based learning difference such as NLD. With or without a diagnosis, they all share a desire to be part of a community that “gets” them and where they can meet friends with similar outlooks and experiences.

Akeela campers typically do best when they:

Know what to expect going into an activity or event
Get a written or verbal preview of transitions ahead of time
Socialize in a structured environment with established expectations
Are given step-by-step instructions to support their executive functioning
Have a trusted adult/mentor they can go to when they have a question, concern, or are upset

SUCCESSFUL AKEELA CAMPERS MUST BE ABLE TO:

Akeela campers DO NOT exhibit the following behaviors, nor can our staff provide a successful experience to children and teens who:

Have behavioral outbursts or meltdowns
Have a history of physical or verbal aggression
Are oppositional and/or defiant or refuse to participate in less preferred activities
Require one-to-one behavioral support or consistent prompting to stay on task during activities or in class
Have a history of wandering or running away from a group
Have a recent history of psychiatric hospitalization, suicidality or self-harm

We love partnering with families to mutually assess if Akeela is the right fit for their child. It is the most important part of our jobs! Although our first-time campers are often unsure about coming to Akeela, after the application process is complete, they are ready to be at camp for the session. The best first step to help us get to know your family is to review our application process and complete our Inquiry Form.

SOCIAL SKILLS CAMP FOR NEURODIVERGENT kids

At Akeela, we work on social skills while campers are enjoying a traditional camp program. Because we know that every camper is different, we choose not to follow one specific social skills curriculum or therapeutic approach. Instead, we work with families to understand exactly what will make each camper feel socially successful.

Social skills

SOCIAL SKILLS SUMMER CAMP

Akeela is a camp that has a deep impact on kids’ lives, changing the way they feel about themselves and how they interact with others.

real-world opportunities

Living in a 24/7 camp community provides countless real-world opportunities for social coaching from caring, trained staff members.

“I CAN BE MYSELF HERE”

Living in a community filled with people just like them, surrounded by adults who truly adore them, means profound growth and connection for Akeela campers.

How we approach social skills

HEAR ABOUT AKEELA FROM OUR CAMPERS AND DIRECTORS

A Typical Day at Akeela
A thorough look at a day in the life of an Akeela camper.

The Akeela Difference
What makes Camp Akeela such a unique community.

The Camper Experience
How kids grow and thrive at Akeela.

All About Our Staff
Akeela counselors are the best of the best!

ACTIVITIES AT CAMP AKEELA

ARTS/MEDIA: Art, ceramics, cooking, dance, drama, music, rocketry, woodshop

Aquatics: Canoeing, kayaking, recreational swim, sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, swim instruction

LAND sports: Archery, basketball, frisbee golf, golf driving range, martial arts, soccer, softball, tennis

outdoor adventure: Animal care, farm & garden, low and high ropes courses & climbing wall, nature & science, weekly day hikes for every camper, overnight camping trips

PLUS: Community service, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), special events, trips, visiting craftspeople, weekly campfires