Applications for Autism Summer Day Camp at Children's Beach House due April 30

Applications for Autism Delaware Summer Day Camp are now available at autismdelaware.org. Only applications with completed forms will be considered and must be received in the Autism Delaware Milton office by Tuesday, April 30. Placement is on a first-come, first-served basis.

The 2013 day camp takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Thursday, Aug. 19 to 22, at the Children’s Beach House in Lewes. The program is specifically designed to accommodate children with autism spectrum disorders who will be in grades three to 11 in the 2013-14 school year. Structured summer activities include swimming, sailing, kayaking, navigating a low-ropes course, and participating in arts and crafts.

“Our program helps build self-confidence in our campers and encourages them to try new things,” said Dafne Carnright, MS, LPCMH, Autism Delaware’s southern Delaware service coordinator. “Camp also provides opportunities to practice social interactions with peers within a supported environment. Our goal is to help each child have a fun and successful experience by making new friends, exploring new interests and learning self-reliance.”

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. Considered a spectrum disorder, autism is actually a group of disorders with similar features. The symptoms range from mild to severe and present themselves in a wide variety of combinations.

Autism Delaware is a nonprofit organization made up of individuals with ASDs, their family members, the professionals who serve them, and friends of people with ASDs. With offices in Newark and Milton, Autism Delaware serves the entire state.

Fundraising events, like the Walk for Autism, help provide the income needed to make critical programs a reality. For more information on how to help, go to autismdelaware.org.