Summer Camp Experiences: Inclusion, Activity, and Fun for Benji and Giulietta

Camp Greenacres Summer Camp

When Benji and Giulietta were younger, they had the chance to attend several summer camps, each offering meaningful experiences that supported their growth and confidence. Summer is such an important time in a child’s life, not just for fun and adventure, but for forming friendships, discovering new interests, and building a sense of independence. For Giulietta, camp became a space where they could explore, learn, and feel included alongside their peers.

Camp Green Acres stood out as a particularly positive experience, especially for Giulietta. She loved spending her days outdoors, moving through a variety of activities that kept her engaged and excited. She participated in sports such as soccer and basketball, joined music sessions, and even had the chance to try archery. The structured yet fun environment allowed her to explore her interests while staying active, and each day brought new opportunities to try something different.

Equally important was the social aspect of camp. Summer is often a time when friendships are formed and memories are made, and for Giulietta, Camp Green Acres provided a safe, supportive space to connect with peers. Staff and fellow campers offered encouragement, celebrated successes, and included her in group activities. These experiences helped her feel part of the community and allowed her to develop meaningful friendships that extended beyond the camp day.

Camp also offered natural opportunities for Giulietta to practice her communication skills. With supportive staff and predictable routines, she could use her iPad to ask for help, make choices, and interact with others. The combination of structure and encouragement gave her confidence to participate fully, express herself, and feel capable in a new environment.

A good summer camp does more than keep children busy. It fosters happiness, builds friendships, and allows children to discover what they enjoy and what they are capable of.

Inclusion, Growth, and Belonging at Jesse’s Camp

Benji and Giulietta also attended an inclusion-focused camp run by one of their support workers, Jesse.

Jesse’s camp ended up being a really important part of Benji and Giulietta’s program, not just something extra. He had been working with Benji and Giulietta for about 10 years, so he really got to know them, their strengths, their challenges, and what helped them feel comfortable enough to try new things. During this period, he ran his own programs in addition to his full time 1:1 work with Benji and Giulietta. That consistency made a big difference. The camp felt familiar and safe, but still gave them new opportunities to grow.

A big part of what made the camp so valuable was how naturally it reflected our goals and values. The activities weren’t just adapted for the sake of it, they were set up so Benji and Giulietta could actually take part in a real way. Whether it was biking, gym games, or outdoor sports, they weren’t sitting on the sidelines or just watching. They were involved, making choices, building skills, and actually having fun with everyone else.

Inclusion at Jesse’s camp wasn’t something that felt forced, it was just part of how everything was run. The expectation was that everyone could participate, and things were adjusted to make that happen. That kind of environment shifts the focus away from what someone can’t do and toward what they can do. It also makes it easier for them to feel confident trying things because they’re not being singled out.

The camp also gave them a real sense of purpose. They weren’t just being supported, they were actively involved, learning new skills and seeing their own progress. Even small things like getting more comfortable on the bike or joining in a group game really added up and helped build their confidence.

Just as important was the sense of belonging. Being in a space where they were understood and supported made it easier for them to connect with others and enjoy being part of a group. That social side is huge. It’s not just about the activities, it’s about feeling included and like they’re part of something.

Impact of COVID on Programs and Continuing Core Values

Unfortunately, a lot of these types of programs came to an end when COVID happened. Camps and in-person activities were shut down or heavily limited, and that meant losing spaces like this where the kids could regularly connect, stay active, and be part of a community. It was a tough shift, especially because those environments played such a big role in their growth and routine.

That said, we didn’t lose what made those experiences so valuable. We carried those same values forward and continued building the program as best we could. The focus on inclusion, purpose, and belonging stayed the same, even as things looked different. We took what worked at Jesse’s