The Positivity Spectrum understands that autistic children need to have year-round engagement to maintain the structure of a school day schedule and to be with their peers in order to continue working on their executive function and social and emotional skills in a safe and fun environment. We want to provide that opportunity.  In conjunction with our partners the Akron Area YMCA and the Greater Cleveland YMCA, we are able to provide qualified aides to accompany autistic children for a full day, full summer, fully inclusive camp experience in a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio.

Qualifications:

• Child must be diagnosed as autistic by a licensed provider.
• Application form must be completed and must include documentation such as IEP, ETR, behavior plan, therapy plan, or other documents detailing child’s areas of opportunity, weaknesses, and support an aide would be needed to provide.
• Child must have a letter of recommendation for suitability for camp from a service provider, doctor, or teacher certifying that the child would be successful and benefit from being in a camp group of up to 25 children, going on field trips, and focusing on social and emotional IEP/behavior goals with the support of an aide.
• Child must be able to participate in camp without compromising the safety of other campers.
• Child must be of the appropriate age (6-13) and meet all other requirements for camp child is requesting to attend.
• Family is responsible for enrolling child in camp, putting down the deposit, paying weekly camp fee, and providing proof of enrollment to The Positivity Spectrum within one week of notification of successful application.
• Family is responsible for paying all fees associated with registration and attendance at camp. 
• Family MUST attend a scheduled Meet and Greet with TPS prior to being accepted for TPS camp funding.

How It Works:

• Funds will be paid directly by The Positivity Spectrum to the aides who are independent contractors of The Positivity Spectrum on a weekly basis.
• Families are responsible for all camp related payment including registration, weekly camp cost, field trip fees, t-shirts, and any other related expenses.
• Priority registration for TPS funded camp spaces for returning campers.

How To Apply:

• Application period will open on December 15, 2025.
• Complete The Positivity Spectrum Summer Camp 26 Application and return it along with the requested documentation to Sarah@thepositivityspectrum.org and Justyce@thepositivityspectrum.org by January 15, 2026.
• Applications will be reviewed from January 15th through February 15th.
• Families must attend a TPS meet and greet prior to being accepted into the Camp For Kids Program.
• Successful applicants will be notified to enroll in the approved camp session(s).
• Only children using ESY or private payment will be considered for enrollment after the January 15th application deadline. NO EXCEPTIONS!

How We Review Applications:

• After the application deadline passes, all application forms received will be reviewed by our Board of Directors.
• Specifically, we will be evaluating responses for:
  • Suitability for the Camp For Kids Program;
    • This includes a holistic review of the child based on information in the application and supporting documentation to determine if there are any risks or behaviors associated with the applicant that our partner locations cannot accommodate.
  • Availability of spots at desired location in desired age group.
• For those children selected, we will work with the families to create behavior plans for camp, match children with an aide, and provide for the aide to spend time with the children to establish rapport prior to the start of camp.

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