"Camp Au'venture"
Autism Adventure Camp (Camp Au’venture for short) is a recreation-based program designed for kids (8-12 years old) and teens (13-17 years old) with level 1 autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The camp offers a unique approach to building self-care, social connections and social skills for children with and without autism.
Our distinctive methodology provides opportunities for campers to learn directly from each other. Throughout the camp, each camper with autism will engage with peers in a way that fosters practicing appropriate social interactions. This will enable each camper to make numerous friends and feel more comfortable reaching out to others with the safety and support of a peer. Please see our section titled "How to Prepare for Camp Au'venture" for more information.
Spring Sessions: Thursdays 1/15/2026 - 4/30/2026, 4:30-7:30pm; Saturdays 9am-3:30pm.
Session 1A: January 15th, 22nd, 29th ($150)
Session 1B: Saturday, January 24th (combined with Teen Au'venture) ($100)
Session 2A: February 5th, 12th, 19th ($150)
Session 2B: Saturday, February 7th (combined with Teen Au'venture) ($100)
Session 3A: February 26th, March 5th, 12th ($150)
Session 3B: Saturday, March 14th (combined with Teen Au'venture) ($100)
Session 4A: March 26th, April 2nd, 9th ($150)
Session 4B: Tuesday, March 31st (combined with Teen Au'venture) ($100)
Session 5A: April 16th, 23rd, 30th ($150)
Session 5B: Saturday, April 18th (combined with Teen Au'venture) ($100)
Optional dinners ($30/session)
Spring Sessions: Wednesdays 1/14/ 2026 - 4/29/2026, 4:30-7:30pm. Saturdays 9am-3:30pm.
Session 1A: January 14th, 21st, 28th ($150)
Session 1B: Saturday, January 24th (combined with Kid Au'venture) ($100)
Session 2A: February 4th, 11th, 18th ($150)
Session 2B: Saturday, February 7th (combined with Kid Au'venture) ($100)
Session 3A: February 25th, March 4th, 11th ($150)
Session 3B: Saturday, March 14th (combined with Kid Au'venture) ($100)
Session 4A: March 25th, April 1st, April 8th ($150)
Session 4B: Tuesday, March 31st (combined with Kid Au'venture) ($100)
Session 5A: April 15th, 22nd, 29th ($150)
Session 5B: Saturday, April 18th (combined with Kid Au'venture) ($100)
Optional dinners ($30/session)
Summer Sessions: 6/9/2026 - 7/23/2026
Tuesdays - Thursdays 9am-3:30pm
Session 6: 6/9/2026 - 6/25/2026 ($900) FULL
**Waitlist Only for registrants after 3/12/26. If you registered before 3/12/26, your application is still being considered. All registrations after 3/12/26 will be waitlist only for the June session.**
Session 7: 7/7/2026 - 7/23/2026 ($900)
There will be some combined activities with Teen Au'venture, but this will be a separate program.
Registration opens 3/1/2026 - until filled.
Learn more here (Forthcoming)
Summer Sessions: 6/9/2026 - 7/23/2026
Tuesdays - Thursdays 9am-3:30pm
Session 6: 6/9/2026 - 6/25/2026 ($900)
Session 7: 7/7/2026 - 7/23/2026 ($900)
There will be some combined activities with Kid Au'venture, but this will be a separate program.
Registration opens 3/1/2026 - until filled.
Learn more here (Forthcoming)
As your child prepares for their time with the camp, please be aware that we plan to be outside. Dressing in layers and anticipating the weather will add to your comfort and enjoyment. Please dress to be active in clothes and shoes that are comfortable and durable. Sun, wind, rain, heat, or cold can all be part of a day at camp – please be prepared.
What to wear:
Shoes: closed-toed with rubber soles. Tennis shoes are great!
Loose, casual, comfortable clothing that covers you and lets you move. T-shirts, longer shorts, and or long pants are all good choices depending on the weather and you.
Layer clothing for the weather and bring rain gear if it looks like rain.
What to bring:
Release form.
Water bottle.
Hat and sunglasses.
Swimsuit, towel, and sandals on water days. Consider goggles.
Bee sting kit (if your child is allergic to bees), inhalers , other medications.
Backpack for all of these items and any other items your child may need.
What to leave at home:
Jewelry and valuables – please remove jewelry before arriving to camp.
Rings, earrings, and necklaces can be broken and or pose a hazard to you or a peer.
Chewing gum.
*Participant cell phones are not allowed to be used during camp. However, participants are welcome to keep their phone in their backpack or pocket.*
Subsidized Registration Fees:
Because we believe in the value of adventure education / recreation therapy, and providing access to these resources, requests for discounts may be considered upon request. Before asking, please consider that we provide continual staff training/development, regularly scheduled inspection and maintenance, and that your fees help cover the cost of these obligations.
Cancellation:
We understand that circumstances change, and we ask for open communication and problem-solving.
A refund minus a deposit can be issued with advance written notice via email at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled camp time.
In the event of cancellation on our end, a full refund with the deposit will be issued.
No shows will result in being charged the full session registration fee.
Eligibility and Exclusion Criteria:
The excusal criteria will be the process used to excuse a participant from the camp. Reasons for excusal can include but are not limited to the following:
The participant does not present behaviors that adhere to the rules and expectations of camp.
The participant puts themselves or other campers in unsafe situations.
The participant’s actions or behaviors require three or more staff to intervene and/or manage the situation.
Steps for Excusal
1. The Camp Counselor who observed the behavior will document it on the Daily Debrief Sheet and give a verbal opportunity for correction to the parent/guardian(s) when the participant is picked up, or to the adult camper.
2. The Camp Counselor or Camp Coordinator follows up with the parent/guardian(s) or adult camper within the following day to see how any discussion within the family may have gone.
3. If the undesired behavior continues, another verbal opportunity will be given to the parent/guardian or adult camper by the Camp Coordinator. The Camp Director or Challenge Center Supervisor will document the incident(s), the opportunities for correction, and their respective dates in an email to be sent to the parent/guardian(s) or adult camper, CCing the Expressive Therapy Manager.
4. If the undesired behavior persists, the incident will be reviewed by a committee composed of the Camp Coordinator, Challenge Center Supervisor and the Expressive Therapy Manager. If a decision for excusal is reached, the participant will be excused from camp by the Challenge Center Supervisor. The excusal will be emailed to the parent/guardian(s) or adult camper, CCing the Expressive Therapy Manager and the Senior Director of Clinical Operations. Fees for any remaining full weeks will be refunded.
5. The family has the right to appeal their case to the Expressive Therapy Manager and/or the Senior Director of Clinical Operations. If the case cannot be resolved with either of these two, the family or adult camper has the right to submit a complaint to be recorded by the Patient Advocate.
University of Utah Safety of Minors Policy: