LOCATION: HEARTLAND CENTER*
16965 NW 45 Hwy, Parkville, Missouri 64152
*Camp Encourage's offices are located in Kansas City, MO, but camp sessions are held at Heartland. Please send any written communication to our offices in Westport at 4025 Central, KCMO, 64111.
We appreciate your interest and encourage you to read through each detail below. After doing so and to express interest in attending our camps, complete a Peer Model Camper Application (which will be released on January 2nd each year). For more information about the overall camp experience, activities, and services, click here.
2024 CAMP SESSIONS
We're counting down the days!
March 23-24
Overnight Session 1
Arrival: Saturday at 10am
Departure: Sunday at 3:30pm
June 11-14
Summer Camp Session 1
Arrival: Tuesday at noon
Departure: Friday at 9:45am
(Followed by a slideshow)
July 30-August 2
Summer Camp Session 2
Arrival: Tuesday at noon
Departure: Friday at 9:45am
(Followed by a slideshow)
October 19-20
Overnight Session 2
Arrival: Saturday at 10am
Departure: Sunday at 3:30pm
PEER MODEL CAMPER ROLE
Peer Model Campers have an extremely important role at Camp Encourage. Not only do they enhance the lives of other children, they also walk away with new perspectives, enjoyable stories, new friends, and lifelong memories.
Peer Model Campers participate in Camp Encourage like all other campers. They reside in the cabins overnight with the autistic campers, participate in all camp activities, and are expected to serve as positive role models.
Peer Model Campers are not incorporated as “Junior Counselors” or helpers. Each is to interact with all campers, enhancing each child’s experience at camp and is NOT to isolate him or herself from the autistic campers.
GOALS
Our primary focus for growth for each Peer Model Camper is:
- increasing each individual's knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of autism
- increasing each individual's appreciation of individual differences
Additionally, just as with our campers with our autistic campers, it is our hope that following the overnight camp experience, our peer model campers:
- 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
PEER MODEL CAMPER ROLE
Peer Model Campers have an extremely important role at Camp Encourage. Not only do they enhance the lives of other children, they also walk away with new perspectives, enjoyable stories, new friends, and lifelong memories.
Peer Model Campers participate in Camp Encourage like all other campers. They reside in the cabins overnight with the campers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), participate in all camp activities, and are expected to serve as role models for the campers with ASD.
Peer Model Campers are not incorporated as “Junior Counselors” or helpers. Each is to interact with all campers, enhancing each child’s experience at camp and is NOT to isolate him or herself from the campers with ASD.
GOALS
Our primary focus for growth for each Peer Model Camper is:
- increasing each individual's knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of autism (ASD)
- increasing each individual's appreciation of individual differences
Additionally, just as with our campers with our autistic campers, it is our hope that following the overnight camp experience, our peer model campers:
- 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
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Any individual not on the autism spectrum, between the age of ten and eighteen may apply. Because Camp Encourage targets social and behavioral deficits often paired with autism, peers selected need to demonstrate developmentally appropriate social and behavioral skills. Further, applicants must possess patience and kindness, demonstrate acceptance, and be understanding of differences.
If you are uncertain if this experience would be fitting, please contact us before submitting a Peer Model Camper Application.
SELECTION PROCESS
A small number of peer models will be needed for each age group of campers on the autism spectrum. After receiving and reviewing each Peer Model Camper Application, we will select applicants that we feel would be a good fit. Preference is often given to returning peers because they have already established friendships and connections with our campers with autism. Depending on the number of quality peer applicants, a lottery may occur.
SUBMISSION DEADLINES
It is recommended you submit an application at your VERY EARLIEST convenience. Although forms are welcomed throughout the year, applicants are encouraged to submit prior to or on the below dates.
OVERNIGHT SESSION 1:
Prior to February 1st
SUMMER CAMPS:
Prior to February 22nd
OVERNIGHT SESSION 2:
Prior to September 1st
CAMP COST
Camp costs include quality planning, specialized materials and supports, meals, comfortable cabins, and tailored activities.
Overnights: $195
Summer Sessions: $425
CAMPER SCHOLARSHIPS
In addition to offering this camp experience at a low rate, we provide scholarship funding to peer model campers.
Many fundraising opportunities are available for peer model campers to raise funds to go directly toward his or her tuition costs. Payment plans can be made as well. If seeking scholarship funding, the request can be made when completing the Peer Model Application.
Download our app to stay up to date on camp sessions, events, fundraisers, and more!
Enter registration code CEKC when creating your account.
Download our app to stay up to date on camp sessions, events, fundraisers, and more! Enter registration code CEKC when creating your account.
