Our overnight camp sessions vary in length. Each Overnight provides a two-day, one-night overnight camp experience. Our summer sessions provide a lengthier stay totaling a four day, three-night overnight camp opportunity. Each camp offers a quality experience involving relationship development, recreation, and relaxation and is specifically designed to meet the needs of youth on the autism spectrum.
Key components that make Camp Encourage unique include but are not limited to:
- direct social instruction
- sensory supports
- visual strategies
- positive behavioral supports
- peer models
- the involvement of graduate and doctoral students
- traditional camp activities as well as activities tailored around the individual campers' interests
- an accepting, loving atmosphere that is staffed with high quality, well trained counselors, activity facilitators, medical personnel, and behavior specialists.
“This is Me”, a media piece by Tyler Wirken of Wirken Media. To view more stories about the transformative power of camp, visit our YouTube channel.
WHERE WILL CAMP TAKE PLACE?
Camp Encourage's offices are located in Westport, in Kansas City, Missouri. Our camp sessions, however, are held primarily at Heartland Center in Parkville, Missouri, and also occasionally at Tall Oaks in Linwood, Kansas.
GOALS FOR CAMPERS
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, self-understanding and awareness
- increasing social abilities and connections
- widening awareness of recreation opportunities and skills of recreation
- strengthening emotional wellness
ACTIVITIES
Below are examples of past activities at Camp Encourage. Activities may vary from session to session, year to year, and may be subject to change.
- archery
- art therapy
- arts and crafts
- campfire songs
- cooking and baking
- drumming
- fishing**
- games and puzzles
- wagon rides
- horseback riding*
- knitting
- Lego construction
- music composition
- music therapy
- photography
- science-based activities
- swimming
- theater / improv comedy
- videography
- zipline*
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
Below is a schedule for a sample day at camp. Schedules and activities vary from day to day, session to session, and are subject to change.
| TIME | ACTIVITY |
|---|---|
| 7:00am | Wake / Prepare for the day |
| 7:45am | Breakfast |
| 8:30am | Choice activities (Examples: STEM, Arts / Crafts, Laser Tag, etc.; based on campers' interests and abilities) |
| 11:45am | Lunch |
| 12:30pm | Choice activities (Examples: Zip line, Archery, STEM, Arts / Crafts, Motor Activities, etc; based on campers' interests and abilities) |
| 4:00pm | Rest and relaxation in cabin |
| 5:45pm | Dinner |
| 6:30pm | Evening activities (Examples: Swimming, S'mores campfire, Wagon ride, Carnival, Horseback riding, STEM, Arts / Crafts) |
| 9:00pm | Prepare for bed / Lights out |
2026 CAMP SESSIONS
Below are our camp opportunities. All camps take place at Heartland Center unless otherwise noted.
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.
REUNION CAMP FOR ALUMNI
This camp is specifically designed for past campers that are now nineteen and older. We are so eager to see you again!
August 29-30, 2026
Alumni Reunion Camp Session
Ages: 19+
Arrival: Saturday at 9:30am
Departure: Sunday at 3:00pm
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.
CAMP COST
Includes quality planning, specialized materials and supports, meals, comfortable cabins, and tailored activities. Please note that scholarships are available (see below). Applicants are encouraged to apply for support.
CAMPER
Overnight Session (two days, one night): $625
Summer Overnight Session (four days, three nights): $1395
PEER MODEL
Overnight Session (two days, one night): $205
Summer Overnight Session (four days, three nights): $450
ALUMNI
Reunion Overnight Camp (two days, one night): $595
APPLYING FOR CAMP & SCHOLARSHIPS
Please visit the Prospective Camper Information, Peer Model Information, or Alumni Information page find detailed information on requirements, the application process. For information on tuition, Sliding Scale Scholarship Support, and Hardship Applications, visit our Tuition & Scholarships page.
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.