Intensive
Therapeutic
Summer Camp
✓ Have Fun
✓ Make Friends
✓ Develop Social Understanding
✓ Improve Life Skills
✓ Learn Independent Living Skills
Intensive
Therapeutic
Summer Camp
✓ Have Fun
✓ Make Friends
✓ Develop Social Understanding
✓ Improve Life Skills
✓ Learn Independent Living Skills
Summer has arrived, and with it comes the excitement of kids attending summer camp. While the anticipation is for a joyous and fulfilling experience, we understand that for many children, the reality falls short. The absence of familiar routines, structured environments, and the introduction of new expectations, activities, and faces can pose significant challenges, turning what should be a fun-filled adventure into a daunting one. This is particularly true for children who face social communication challenges, have NVLD, ADHD, autism, or anxiety. Often misunderstood, overcorrected, and struggling to find their place, these children encounter hurdles to belonging and connection that dampen their camp journey.
At our unique, neuro-affirmative summer camp, we are dedicated to creating a space where every child can thrive, find their authentic selves, and forge meaningful connections. We recognize the importance of establishing routines, providing structure, and tailoring activities to meet the needs of children facing social challenges, ADHD, autism, or anxiety.
Programs and Ages
(The ages listed below are recommended ages for the campers and are NOT restrictions)
Summer
Camp
Ages 6-12 years old
Teens
Camp
Ages 13-18 years old
B.R.I.D.G.E
Program
Ages 13-18 years old
By choosing our summer camp, your child will benefit from:
Specialized Support: Our experienced staff members are trained to understand and address the needs of children with social challenges, ADHD, autism, and anxiety. They provide guidance, encouragement, and the necessary tools to help your child navigate the camp experience successfully.
Meaningful Connections: We foster an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding, where children can connect with peers who share similar experiences. Through group activities, team-building exercises, and facilitated interactions, your child will have opportunities to build friendships and create lasting bonds.
Engaging and Inclusive Activities: Our carefully curated program offers a variety of activities that cater to different interests and abilities. Whether it’s arts and crafts, sports, nature exploration, or interactive games, every child will find something they can enjoy and excel in.
Personal Growth: We believe in the potential of every child. Our summer camp provides a supportive space for personal growth and the development of essential life skills. Through our engaging workshops and empowering sessions, your child will gain confidence, improve self-esteem, and enhance their social and emotional well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my child have to attend more than one week?
If your child is a new incoming camper, we recommend a minimum of four weeks. The more weeks your child attends the more benefit they will derive from the program.
Can I choose which weeks my child attends your camp?
ELC offers two 4-week sessions. If you need a scheduling accommodation, speak with the Lead Facilitator.
Are field trips included in the camp weekly price?
Field trips may or may not be included. The majority of pricing does NOT include field trips.
Does my child have to be a student at Evolve Learning Community to attend your camp?
No, your child does not have to attend ELC in order to come to ELC summer programs.
Do you offer financial assistance?
ELC does offer some financial assistance for camp programs. Please visit our website to download the forms or contact our Clinical Director.
Do you offer any type of academics or tutoring sessions over the summer?
Yes, we offer a variety of tutoring and coaching options during the summer.
What Our Parents Say:
Who are we?
The ELC Summer Program is a branch of Evolve Learning Community, which is a progressive and inclusive homeschool drop-off program that supports cognitively average to above average middle and high school students who are neurodivergent, gifted, have anxiety or mild learning differences. We also provide in-person and virtual tutoring and one-on-one classes for learners ages 5-18.
We believe kids do well if they can.
Our camp is facilitated by our multidisciplinary team of masters level and licensed therapists and educators and we are committed to fostering growth, social connections, and personal development. We strive to create an environment where your child can thrive and overcome challenges, building essential life skills along the way.
Our Approach
Personalized Assessment
To ensure your camper’s growth, we conduct comprehensive social skills and Executive Functioning skills assessments at the beginning and end of each camp session. This allows us to track progress, identify areas of improvement, and tailor our program to meet each child’s unique needs.
Data-Driven Approach
We believe in the power of data. Throughout the camp session, we collect valuable information to ensure that goals are being met and progress is being made. This data-driven approach enables us to fine-tune our strategies and provide the best possible support for each camper’s development.
Open Communication
We understand the importance of keeping parents involved and informed. That’s why our campers receive daily home notes, providing you with insights into their activities, accomplishments, and areas of focus. Additionally, our therapists interact with parents on a daily basis, ensuring ongoing communication and collaboration.
Our team facilitates both structured and unstructured activities and games, indoor & outdoor, throughout the day.
Social understanding, Executive Functioning skills and growth mindset tools are seamlessly integrated into every activity and game. Most importantly, our goals for our campers are to develop meaningful connections with their peers, find a sense of belonging and to HAVE FUN!
What do campers do all day?
• Arts & Crafts
• Music
• Drama/Improv
• Dungeons & Dragons
• Science experiments
• Board games
• Table top games
• Card games
• Sports (team & individual)
• Field trips
Our campers have some or all of the following characteristics.
They:
• May be restless and fidgety
• May not enjoy a traditional camp setting
• Have trouble making and keeping friends
• Experience anxiety in new or uncertain situations
• Struggle with time blindness
• Have difficulty organizing their belongings and thoughts
• Have trouble listening and responding effectively
• Have problems with critical thinking
• Have trouble relating cause and effect
• Have trouble staying focused or remaining on task
• May come across as rude or oppositional
• May have low self esteem and/or seem depressed
• May have trouble functioning within a group setting
• Need a lot of reminders
• May talk excessively
• May repeat the same behaviors despite frequent
redirection and intervention
• Act impulsively
Teen Summer Camp Program
(Ages 13-18 years old)
Our Teen Summer Camp Program is for adolescents who find the idea of a summer camp too childish. This program presents unique experiences designed to develop interpersonal skills used in everyday life. The program focuses on independent life skills, developing leadership qualities, values and character development. Teens in this camp will participate in weekly field trips and make new friends with like-minded peers.
B.R.I.D.G.E. Program
Brave, Reliable, Inclusive Doers who Guide by Example
Our program was created with a clear purpose in mind – to provide neurodivergent kids with peer mentors who treat them equally, befriend them, and serve as positive role models. We believe in fostering inclusivity, where neurodivergent kids feel a sense of belonging and not a power dynamic with our B.R.I.D.G.E. leaders.
Our B.R.I.D.G.E. Leaders undergo comprehensive training and receive ongoing support to ensure they can interact positively with neurodivergent campers and students. They learn how to inclusively and thoughtfully include and support them throughout their journey
Our program also encompasses leadership and character development, focusing on principle-based decision-making, personal responsibility, attitude, social skills, consequences of choices, peer relationships, conflict resolution, peer mediation, and goal setting.
We have discovered that participating in the B.R.I.D.G.E. program acts as a “back-door” approach to teaching social understanding and other crucial skills to neurodivergent teens. By being involved, they experience an increase in self-esteem and confidence.
Join us in building a community where everyone is valued and empowered. The B.R.I.D.G.E. Program is where courageous individuals lead by example, creating a supportive environment where inclusion thrives.
Admissions
If a student is accepted to the camp, the admission process moves to the finance department.
ELC will make referrals to other camps if their child is not accepted at ELC.
Financial Admission Process
Parents who cannot afford the full cost of camp must:
- Fill out scholarship request / financial aid forms
- Provide all required documentation
(Tax returns, Personal Financial Statements)
ELC Intensive Therapeutic Summer Camp- Non-Discrimination Policy
ELC actively promotes equal opportunity policies and practices conforming to laws against discrimination. ELC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity).
Medications
ELC will ONLY dispense/administer medications provided there is a signed note or a copy of a prescription from a licensed Medical Doctor.
Therapy & Counseling
ELC works closely with Music, Occupational, Speech, Language, Cognitive, Individual, and Family therapists throughout the area. Therapists and Doctors who have applied for and received visitation privileges at ELC may see students on campus during the day, before camp, or after camp.
Admission Process
The majority of children/adolescents who attend our summer camp are either enrolled in our year round program or have applied for admission for the following school year – therefore they have gone through the admission process. Campers who do not go through the admission process as described below are accepted to summer camp on a trial basis.
This process consists of:
- Initial consultation with family
- Initial consultation with potential camper
- Review of all background information and files
- Review of ELC Intensive Therapeutic Summer Camp Registration forms
- Campus tour
- Based on results – further testing or a trial period may be required
Apply today to join our inclusive social homeschooling community
Please call (954) 440-2483 to learn more about Evolve Learning Community