We’ve made important progress in camp around inclusion—opening doors, increasing access, and creating more opportunities for participation. But inclusion doesn’t always mean belonging.
And when we listen to campers—especially autistic campers—we hear a consistent message: It’s not just about being there. It’s about feeling connected, valued, and part of something.
So what does belonging actually look like at camp? One way to think about it is as a progression—from being invited to truly being part of the community.
Invited & Welcomed: Belonging starts before a camper even arrives.
Do our materials, communication, and first interactions signal that all campers are truly welcome? For autistic campers, being invited means more than being allowed—it means knowing the space has been designed with them in mind.
And when they arrive, how we welcome them matters. Predictable routines, clear expectations, and a thoughtful introduction to the environment can make a big difference in how safe and comfortable a camper feels.
At Camp Fire, this means getting to know kids and helping kids get to know us, before they arrive on the first day. Most Camp Fire camps reach out to families after registration forms are filled in to discuss needs and possible accommodations. Knowledge is a two-way street. Knowing more about the camper is great, but knowing that we are a reliable, inclusive camp builds even more trust. Camps have done this with social stories, new webpages, video introductions, pre-camp webinars and in-person open-houses. Plus, we’re loud and proud with our inclusion statement, making it clear that everyone is welcome before families even register.
Supported & Known: Support is often where inclusion focuses—but belonging asks us to go further.
Support means understanding what a camper needs to participate, not just responding to behavior. It’s about recognizing that behavior is communication and adjusting our approach accordingly.
At the same time, belonging grows when campers feel known. Taking time to learn their interests, strengths, and preferences helps shift the focus from what’s challenging to what’s possible.
Rather than always being in response mode, many Camp Fire camps provide regulation options up-front. Time to rest, fidget and sensory items, noise-canceling headphones, making schedules known – all of these options can help regulate big feelings when they arise, but they also make participation possible. Why wait for a meltdown when we can proactively help every kid feel present and regulate?
Camp is also about being seen for who you are. Camp Fire makes relationships the focus, with trained counselors who make sure every kid can share their interests, have teammates or buddies for activities, and personally get to know every child. Sometimes camp is all about trying a new activity like archery, but sometimes (and maybe even more impactfully!) it’s about talking with peers in person about video games, art, or sports—making the most of the in-between moments. We strive for every child to have connection in those moments.
Accepted & Involved: Belonging doesn’t require campers to change who they are.
Autistic campers may communicate, move, or engage in ways that look different—and acceptance means creating a culture where those differences are understood and respected.
From there, we look at involvement. Being present isn’t the same as participating. Camps can create multiple ways for campers to engage, contribute, and take part in activities in ways that feel meaningful to them.
At Camp Fire, we often refer to this as Challenge by Choice and we know it helps every kid learn by keeping them in a growth zone, not a panic zone. Maybe you don’t want to do the full rock wall today – that’s okay! There’s an option to do help spot, try bouldering instead, practice knots, or simply make friendship bracelets. The rock wall and the staff who run it will be there when you’re ready.
Needed & Befriended: This is where belonging becomes real.
When campers feel that they are needed—that they have a role and are meaningfully contributing to the group—they begin to see themselves as an important part of the community. This starts with a strengths-based approach: taking time to understand each camper’s interests and abilities, and then intentionally creating opportunities for them to use those strengths in ways that matter.
When everyone has a role, participation becomes more than just being present—it becomes purposeful.
And at the heart of it all is connection. Friendships may not always happen naturally, but they can be supported. With intentional structure and guidance, camps can create opportunities for authentic peer relationships to grow.
Over the years, we’ve heard many stories of young people who came to camp struggling with friendships in school, and how they found their first friend at Camp Fire. This happens because we’re intentional in building belonging and connections. It’s best illustrated in this quote from Camp Fire Green Country (Tulsa, OK):
“One of our most meaningful successes this summer came from a camper who had never experienced true friendships before attending Camp Waypoint…Staff created a space where this camper felt fully accepted and understood…At pickup, their parent shared that the camper left in tears—not from sadness, but from joy—saying it was the best experience of their life. This moment reflected exactly why we invest in accessibility and inclusion: every child deserves to feel like they belong.” – Camp Fire Green Country
Moving Forward
Inclusion opens the door. Belonging invites campers to stay.
When we intentionally create environments where campers are invited, welcomed, supported, known, accepted, involved, needed, and befriended, we strengthen the experience for everyone. We’ve seen it first-hand at Camp Fire. As we make accommodations our standard practice and train staff intentionally, every kid benefits! We also attract a more diverse staff community whose personal experiences change our programs for the better.
Because these practices don’t just support autistic campers—they build stronger, more connected camp communities.
Lisa Drennan is the founder of MERGE Inclusion Consulting and a disability inclusion consultant working with camps, recreation programs, and youth-serving organizations nationwide. Her work focuses on practical, strengths-based strategies that help staff, campers, and communities build cultures of belonging.
mergeconsulting.org | lisadrennan@mergeconsulting.org
HK Gilbert is the Director of Program Services at Camp Fire National Headquarters and brings over 14 years of experience in creating safe and inclusive spaces for young people in outdoor, educational, and afterschool settings.HK supports Program Leaders and staff throughout the network, equipping youth development professionals with evidence-based tools to create authentic environments where all young people can thrive.
