The Mars Autism Foundation, a Hungarian organization that supports families of autistic children, organized its first summer camp to directly help the children themselves. The camp, called „Martian Expedition„, was designed as a positive, autism-friendly environment, and its success offers a wonderful example for anyone looking to create a similar experience.
A Different Approach to Staffing and Preparation
Instead of hiring 20 autism specialists to work with 20 children, the foundation enlisted high school students (ages 16-18) to be one-on-one supporters for the campers. These volunteers were recruited by the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta, which also provided the camp location. While the students only had one day of preparation, they were guided by onsite autism specialists who had meticulously planned an autism-friendly program and an accessible environment.
To make sure the support was personalized, parents completed a detailed questionnaire about their children’s preferences, difficulties, fears, and joys. The foundation welcomed autistic children with a wide range of needs, including those with challenging behaviors, non-verbal children, and those with dietary restrictions. The only exclusion criteria was if a child still used a diaper. The information from the questionnaires was used to create a profile for each child, which later helped with everything from preparing the volunteers to ordering special food.
A unique and effective part of the preparation was the „My camp diary„1. Each volunteer was given a profile of a child and used it to create a personalized diary for them using pictograms and art supplies. This helped the volunteers learn key information about their camper before they even arrived. The diaries were given to the children as a gift on the last day of camp completed with many picture of the child during the camp activities.
Designing an Accessible Environment and Program
The camp was held in a fenced-in playground in Budapest, which allowed the campers to have the space to themselves for the entire week. The location included a fully equipped house with a kitchen, living room, and toilets. They even transformed a shower room into a quiet room with beanbags for anyone who needed a break.
Visual aids were crucial for creating an accessible environment. The volunteers, with guidance from professionals, created and placed a variety of visuals throughout the camp, including:
- a weekly schedule
- rule cards and „STOP” signs
- pictures to label rooms
- an activity choice board
- labels for tools and boxes
The program itself was a mix of classic camp activities and special events. Activities included playing on the playground, card games, arts and crafts, and a bouncy castle with a pool. They also took a field trip to an interactive museum, which the organizer visited in advance to plan and anticipate any potential issues.
This summer camp’s success, highlighted by the heartfelt gratitude from the families and the lasting connections formed, proves that a well-prepared, inclusive environment can make a world of difference for autistic children and their families. The Mars Foundation’s model is a testament to the power of thoughtful preparation, dedicated volunteers, and an understanding that every child deserves a chance to have a wonderful camp experience.
If you want to see the questionnaire, please send your contact details here.