"MY" Camp on Torch Lake for Teens with Autism and Aspergers

The "MY Camp" program at YMCA Camp Hayo-Went-Ha for young men and young women with autism and aspergers, started in August 2004, allowing them to enjoy a five-day day camp opportunity that summer, which was then expanded into both a day camp and a resident camp in 2005.

Each summer since, the boys and girls have benefited from a structured day camp program that provides fun, friends and memories that will last a lifetime. These young men and women enjoy experiences that “typical” children get to enjoy each summer, but previously had not been available to children in our area with autism and aspergers.

For the resident camp, although our program participant numbers were small the first summer, the overwhelming success of our program was measured in the joy that these young men and women (all of them teenagers) had in participating on the: ropes course, archery, riflery, arts and crafts, campfires, swim time, camp games, hikes, nature study and the opportunity to work on social/behavioral skills.

Staff for each of these camps was chosen for their maturity and for their experience in dealing with children with special needs.

Without a doubt, we are looking forward to the continuation of these outstanding programs at YMCA Camp Hayo-Went-Ha. While we aim to increase the number of participants in both the day and resident camp, our greatest joy is the smiles and exceptional experiences that these young men and young women have enjoyed at our camp.

In 2013, the dates for our MY Camp sessions are as follows:

MY Camp Day Camp
Day Camp Dates: June 17 - June 21, 2013
Day Camp Cost: $290.00

MY Camp Resident Camp
Resident Camp Dates: August 19 - August 21, 2013
Resident Camp Cost: $255.00

Registration Packets

My Camp Day Camp Registration Packet (PDF)

MY Camp Residential Camp Registration Packet (PDF)