Now in its 33rd year, Autistic Community Activity Program (ACAP) provides education through recreation for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Through its summer day camps, ACAP offers a unique program which combines a classroom routine with fun daily recreational community activities and learning experiences.

Campers are placed with others of similar ages and abilities in class groups no larger than ten, staffed with certified teachers and trained assistants to provide a high staff-to-camper ratio. Following morning classroom time, groups take public transportation to swimming pools, bowling alleys, arcades, OMSI, trampoline/jump centers, Oregon Zoo, local parks, The Children's Museum, libraries, climbing gyms and more. Visuals, schedules, trip books, charts, Social Stories, sensory accommodations and other supports are used to help each child to function as independently as possible.

7 weeks, June 24 - August 15th
Weekdays: Options of 2, 3 and 5 days/wk
Camp Hours: 9:00am - 3:00pm

Financial Assistance Available

Need-based partial scholarships may be available.

Campers bring their own lunches from home. On occasion, campers practice restaurant skills at local area restaurants. All special diets will be honored at camp.

ACAP integrates people with ASD into the community by providing structure in a variety of settings while teaching:

Activity planning
necessary community behaviors,
adapting to a variety of environments,
problem solving,
daily life skills,
communication skills (gestures, facial expressions, conversation),
relationship development,
social skills (sharing, turn-taking, conflict resolution, etc.),
group play skills,
travel training (learning about and riding public transportation),
safety behaviors (crosswalks, staying with the group),
restaurant skills (ordering, money/transaction skills, voice volume, manners),
transitioning throughout the day,
reading environmental cues,
following directions, schedules, sequencing
among others.

These are vital but much-neglected behaviors and skills which those with ASD must be deliberately taught (instead of achieving through observation, as non-disabled groups do). To the growing population of people with ASD and their families, ACAP provides critical support, empowering them to become as self-sufficient as possible. ACAP helps campers make positive strides in learning and adapting in safe, engaging and fun camp environments.

All camp activities are planned based on the level of needs within each group. Campers work with exceptional teachers and assistants, who share values of inclusion and community engagement, while encouraging independence. Throughout the summer, friendships develop between campers while out in the community having fun.

ACAP is an Oregon-certified K-Plan provider.

We at ACAP believe that by increasing an affected person's chances of becoming a productive member of society, we change lives.