LOCATIONS: HEARTLAND CENTER & TALL OAKS CAMP*
*Camp Encourage's offices are located in Kansas City, MO, but camp sessions are held at Heartland Center or Tall Oaks Camp. Please send any written communication to our offices in Westport at 4025 Central, KCMO, 64111.
We very much appreciate your interest and encourage you to read through each detail below. After doing so, and to express interest in attending our camps, be sure to complete a Camper Application. At any point, please don't hesitate to reach out to us (through email or by calling 816.830.7171). We understand how crucial absolutely every detail is!
For more information about the overall camp experience, activities, and services, click here.
2026 CAMP SESSIONS
We're counting down the days! All camps take place at Heartland Center unless otherwise indicated below.
March 21-22
Overnight Session 1
Ages: 10-18
Arrival: Saturday at 10am
Departure: Sunday at 3:30pm
June 11-14
Summer Session 1
Ages: 10-18
Arrival: Thursday at noon
Departure: Sunday at 9:45am (followed by a slideshow)
June 29-July 2
Summer Session 2 (at Tall Oaks)
Ages: 14-18
Arrival: Monday at noon
Departure: Thursday at 9:45am (followed by a slideshow)
July 25-28
Summer Session 3
Ages: 10-18
Arrival: Saturday at noon
Departure: Tuesday at 9:45am (followed by a slideshow)
October 10 - 11
Overnight Session 2
Ages: 10-18
Arrival: Saturday at 10am
Departure: Sunday at 3:30pm
Note: registration for this camp session will open May 1.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
We are currently serving individuals on the autism spectrum that are:
- between the ages of 10 and 18 at the time of camp,
- at least fairly independent with self-care skills (showering, dressing, toileting),
- able to stay with or near the group (with accommodations and adaptations),
- able to reside overnight (with supports as needed),
- able to tolerate the outdoors and all that nature brings (bugs, warmth, etc.),
- interested in the activities on the schedule,
- successful with a 3:2 or 2:1 child:adult ratio,
- able to NOT have any access to electronic devices (including a phone) during the duration of the camp session, and
- not presently exhibiting behavioral or functional needs that would warrant the constant support of 1:1 assistance.
PEER MODELS
Camp Encourage accepts a limited number of Peer Models to attend camp. Peer Models are individuals not on the autism spectrum, between the age of ten and eighteen. They reside in the cabins overnight with the autistic campers, participate in all camp activities, and are expected to serve as positive role models. They participate in Camp Encourage like all other campers and are NOT “Junior Counselors” or helpers.
If your child does not meet the criteria above, please contact us for references to presently existing camps.
If you are uncertain if this experience would be fitting, please contact us before submitting a Camper Application.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
We understand that each camper has his or her own interests, motivators, strengths, and areas for need of support and growth.
Although we provide a great deal of individualized supports, many of our activities also aim to achieve the following set of general goals:
- increasing skills of independence
- enhancing one's self-esteem
- increasing personal self-understanding and acceptance
- increasing social abilities
- widening awareness of recreation opportunities and skills of recreation
- connecting with others with similar interests, needs, and/or abilities
SELECTION PROCESS
First to meet the needs of our immediate community, priority will be given to all campers that reside in Missouri and Kansas. If slots remain open, interested campers from outside states will be considered.
With the addition of a third summer camp session, it is likely that campers will be able attend as many sessions as they like. Scholarship funding could be awarded for multiple sessions, however funding is limited and there will likely be a limit on the amount each camper can receive, especially if applying for multiple sessions. Slots will be filled and funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-received basis, so please apply early.
APPLICATION DATES
While there is no set deadline for application submission, slots will be filled (and funding awarded) on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to submit applications as early as possible. Below are the dates when applications will be opened and acceptance letters will be sent:
Spring Overnight Session
Application available: January 2nd
Acceptance letters issued: February 1st
Summer Camp Sessions
Application available: January 2nd
Acceptance letters issued: March 1st
Fall Overnight Session
Application available: May 1st
Acceptance letters issued: June 1st
REVIEW PROCESS & TIMELINE
Once a camper’s application AND financial documentation (if applying for Sliding Scale Scholarship Support or additional funding due to a hardship) is received, our Programming Team will:
- Review each application to confirm our programming is a good fit (please review the "Who Should Apply" section above before submitting an appication).
- Review and confirm financial documentation to determine sliding scale eligibility support.
- If applying for additional funding due to a financial hardship, our Scholarship Team will score the application.
- The Camper Support Specialists may reach out to parents to gather further information, if needed.
- The Program Director will send an acceptance email to parents on February 1st for the March overnight session, March 1st for the Summer Camp Sessions, and on June 1st for the October overnight session, as well as the finalized financial aid awarded and yearly funding cap (if applicable).
SCHOLARSHIPS
Through fundraising and grant writing efforts, we proudly offer Sliding Scale Scholarship Support for each session, as well as limited additional funding for those experiencing additional hardships.
Please do not let the cost deter you from applying. We work diligently throughout the year to make this opportunity available to a variety of campers. A large number of our past campers have received partial or full scholarship support. In fact, all families that have expressed a need for financial support through the application process in past years were offered scholarship funding. For more details about income-based scholarships and hardship funding, visit our Tuition & Scholarships page.
CAMP COST
Camp costs include quality planning, specialized materials and supports, meals, comfortable cabins, and tailored activities.
Overnights: $625
Summer Sessions: $1,395
*Sliding Scale Scholarship Support and Hardship Applications are available on a limited basis. Please review our Tuition and Scholarships information page for more details.