Havvago

Throughout the day, campers are presented with natural opportunities to work on social and communication skills. Additionally, they sit down each evening with their “goals buddy,” a staff member in their bunk, to discuss ways they worked on their skills during their daily activities, and ways that they could try to improve their skills the following day.

Staff in the Havvago program are specifically trained on how to best support campers’ sensory needs; they are knowledgeable about strategies for de-escalation, modifying activities to avoid aversive sensory input, and providing appropriate accommodations to meet the needs of each individual camper. With the 1:1 staff-to-camper ratio, campers are always able to take a sensory break when they are overstimulated. Likewise, having a staff-buddy by their side allows campers to form meaningful relationships with peers while still ensuring they have someone to turn to for help when they need it. Lastly, Havvago programs are proactively structure to be predictable, flexible, and welcoming for youth with sensory challenges.

Please note that while many youth who attend Havvago may hold an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis, not all do. The Havvago program is a great option if you are looking for a camp experience that specifically attunes to the needs of children who become easily overstimulated, require sensory breaks, and benefit from individual attention. When determining whether the Havvago program is a match for your camper, please refer to the “Is it a Match?” section on page 4 of the Camp Starfish Guide to Programs.