Finding the right summer camp can be a big decision for families of children on the autism spectrum. When your child has autism, you don’t just look for a camp where your kid can have fun. You also need a place where your child feels understood, supported, and genuinely excited to grow. At Camp Starfish, we believe every camper deserves a meaningful, joyful summer, and our approach makes us a trusted summer camp for kids with autism who may have felt out of place elsewhere.
What Makes Camp Starfish Different?
At Camp Starfish, campers with autism are not defined by their diagnosis. Rather, they are seen as individuals with strengths, interests, and untapped potential. The heart of what makes Starfish special is its emphasis on acceptance, belonging, and joy. Every activity, from swimming and hiking to evening campfires, is designed to be fun and supportive, helping campers feel connected and capable. Camp is grounded in structure, acceptance, and compassionate support that helps each camper thrive in ways big and small.
One of the biggest ways we support neurodivergent campers is through our 1:1 staff-to-camper ratio. Every camper has dedicated adult support available whenever it’s needed, whether for help navigating a group activity, talking through a tough moment, or just enjoying their favorite part of the day. This level of individualized attention helps promote both safety and confidence.
A Place Where Every Camper is Seen
At Camp Starfish, we know that no two children on the autism spectrum are alike. That’s why we invest deeply in getting to know each camper before they ever arrive through a detailed application process and conversation with caregivers about routines, communication styles, and what helps them thrive.
We also offer:
- Highly trained counselors: Each staff member completes 140+ hours of training that includes behavior management, routine support, and creating inclusive environments. Specific training about sensory sensitivities allows staff to support campers in our Havvago program, designed specifically for campers who require a predictable, quiet environment.
- Interest-based engagement: We lean into what excites each camper, whether that’s boating, art, nature walks, or team games. We get to know your camper’s interests extensively through the application process and incorporate them where we can. At the same time, we ensure those interests do not prevent campers from forming meaningful relationships. We provide direct instruction to campers about having give-and-take conversations where both campers’ interests are included.
- Compassionate attitudes: Instead of labeling behaviors as “problems,” our team sees them as clues to better understand how to support a child’s experience and growth. Camp Starfish uses a collaborative problem solving approach to behavior management; children are encouraged to lead the way when it comes to addressing challenging situations and fixing them.
- Acceptance as a core value: Starfish isn’t just a camp, it’s a community where campers feel genuinely accepted for who they are. We meet children where they are when they come to camp. With a 1:1 staff-to-camper ratio, we are able to be flexible with our schedule and supports, allowing children on the spectrum to walk away with an experience they can be proud of.
Real Skills, Real Connections
While we aren’t a clinical program and don’t provide therapies like speech or applied behavior analysis, we do offer something equally powerful: A place where campers practice resilience, build friendships, and develop coping skills through everyday adventures. The magic of camp is that campers do not even realize that they are practicing these skills in every activity they do at camp. Each learning experience feels natural, but the growth kids make at camp can last a lifetime.
For many campers with autism, summer camp can be a transformative experience and one that leads to stronger social confidence and skills that carry into school, home, and beyond. Many families tell us their children come home sharing new strategies for navigating challenges and proudly talking about friends they made at camp. You can read what some guardians are saying about Starfish here.
Is Camp Starfish Right for Your Child?
Camp Starfish serves a diverse group of young people including children and teens with a wide range of strengths and challenges. Our goal isn’t to fit every camper into the same mold, but to help each one find joy, confidence, and growth with individualized support.
If you’ve been wondering whether a summer camp for kids with autism could help your child flourish (and what that experience might look like) we encourage you to explore our program guide and begin an application. We’re here to answer your questions, learn about your camper, and help make summer an unforgettable adventure.
Ready to learn more? Visit our website to start the application process and see how Camp Starfish could be the right fit for your family this summer.
