This week, Mike Carr takes us to John13.org’s summer camp, where young adults with varying abilities form sibling-like bonds. They engage in vocational training, with some even landing jobs at Crux Climbing Gyms! The camp combines job skills with fun activities, bringing joy to everyone involved. Stay tuned for videos showcasing the first week of camp!
A Real-World Look at Autism Skills Development: The Story of John13 Summer Camp
This week, we’re doing something a little different. Instead of focusing on our usual product reviews and technology designed to help adults with severe and profound autism, we want to share a powerful, real-world experience. We’re diving into a journey that takes us straight into the heart of the autism community—a place where young adults are not only building skills but also gaining confidence, creating meaningful connections, and thriving in an environment designed just for them.
This place is the John13 Summer Camp, a program run by our sister organization, the nonprofit John13.org. It’s a special camp where individuals with autism are given the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive. Over the next few posts, we’re excited to take you behind the scenes of this incredible program, where the magic of skill-building, mentorship, and fun all come together.
The Heart of the Program: Peer Mentorship and Friendship
What makes the John13 Summer Camp truly unique is the peer mentorship dynamic. We bring together young adults from late teens to their mid-thirties, pairing those with higher-functioning abilities—like strong verbal skills or more independence—with those facing greater challenges. The goal is simple: foster a sense of community, where everyone can help and learn from each other.
This pairing creates a special kind of camaraderie. Higher-functioning participants have the chance to share their verbal communication skills and help their peers navigate the world in ways they might not be able to otherwise. Meanwhile, those with more significant challenges teach their peers about patience, empathy, and celebrating small victories. These bonds, which feel more like sibling relationships than just friendships, are the heart of the program. And the best part? It’s not just about learning new skills; it’s about growing together, as a community.
Vocational Skills: Preparing for the Real World
Vocational skills training is at the core of the John13 Summer Camp. We believe in helping participants not only have fun but also set themselves up for success in the real world. Many of the young adults in the program are ready to start thinking about their careers, and the camp is designed to equip them with the tools they need to succeed.
The training isn’t theoretical—it’s hands-on. Our campers engage in activities that replicate real-world workplace scenarios. They practice communication in professional settings, learn how to complete job-specific tasks, and get familiar with workplace routines and expectations. The goal? To help these young adults build the confidence and competence needed to not only land jobs but to thrive in them.
Success Stories: From Camp to the Real World
Perhaps the most exciting part of the John13 Summer Camp is seeing how the skills developed here translate into real-world success. One of the most inspiring success stories comes from our son, who, after participating in the program, secured a job at Crux Climbing Gyms—a local rock climbing gym.
His journey didn’t stop there—several friends he made at the camp also found jobs, including one who now works alongside him at Crux. These aren’t just jobs; they are the stepping stones to greater independence and inclusion in the workforce. What’s even more remarkable is that these young adults are now learning how to build relationships with coworkers, navigate work routines, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
This is proof of the power of skills training, real-world experience, and the belief that individuals with autism can succeed in the workforce when given the right opportunities.
The Perfect Balance: Work and Play
At John13, we understand that skills training and job preparation are important, but so is having fun. Our summer camp is the perfect blend of both. We don’t just focus on hard work—we make sure our participants have opportunities for joy, relaxation, and self-expression.
From arts and crafts to outdoor adventures, sports, and games, there’s no shortage of ways for campers to unwind and have fun. These activities are not only enjoyable but also help build self-esteem in a stress-free environment. It’s truly magical to see the smiles on our campers’ faces when they engage in something they love.
The combination of skill-building and play is what makes the program so effective. By keeping participants engaged and entertained, we’re able to help them develop crucial social and emotional skills that will serve them for years to come.
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Our Summer Camp
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing a series of behind-the-scenes videos from the first week of camp. These videos will give you a closer look at the environment we’ve created, the activities we’ve developed, and the incredible transformations happening on the ground.
You’ll see firsthand how our campers work through exercises designed to build vocational skills, improve social interactions, and foster independence. You’ll also witness the pure joy and excitement that comes from being part of a community that truly cares.
From team-building exercises to group discussions and job-specific training, the camp is a buzzing hub of creativity, energy, and hard work. It’s a place where participants feel safe to try new things, challenge themselves, and grow in ways they never thought possible.
The Role of Our Staff: The Heart and Soul of the Program
None of this would be possible without our dedicated team at John13. Our staff are the backbone of the program, and their passion for advocating for people with autism is what makes the summer camp so successful.
They go beyond being trained professionals—they are caring individuals who take the time to understand each camper’s unique strengths, challenges, and goals. They tailor their approach to meet the needs of every participant, helping them grow at their own pace while encouraging them to strive for new milestones.
Whether it’s facilitating an activity, offering guidance during challenging moments, or simply providing encouragement, our staff are there every step of the way, ensuring that everyone has the best experience possible.
Looking Ahead: Growing the Program
We’re incredibly excited about the future of the John13 Summer Camp. Our goal is to expand the program and create even more opportunities for individuals with autism to develop skills, build friendships, and prepare for meaningful careers.
As the autism community evolves, so will our program. We’re committed to continuously adapting to meet the changing needs of our participants. This means incorporating new activities, expanding vocational training, and making sure we create environments that encourage growth, independence, and inclusion.
In the coming months, we’ll be sharing more videos, stories, and updates about the camp’s progress. We hope that by sharing these experiences, we can inspire other families and communities to create similar programs that will benefit individuals with autism. The possibilities are endless, and we’re just getting started.
Final Thoughts: The Importance of Community and Connection
At the heart of the John13 Summer Camp is something invaluable: community. It’s not just about teaching skills or preparing for a job—it’s about creating a space where people with autism can belong, connect, and grow together.
If you’re interested in learning more about John13.org or want to support our mission, we encourage you to visit our website or reach out to us. We’re always looking for volunteers, donors, and community partners who want to make a difference in the lives of individuals with autism.
Thank you for following along with us on this incredible journey. We can’t wait to share more about the amazing things happening at the John13 Summer Camp, and the real-world success stories that continue to come from it.
Transcript
Mike Carr (00:03):
Well, welcome back this week for a little change of pace. So instead of doing product evaluations and discussions of technology that works for the severely and profoundly autistic adults, we’ve decided to take you into the community and actually show you a real world setting in a summer camp kind of situation where our sister organization, our nonprofit, john thirteen.org, is taking a range of skills, a range of folks from late teens to mid thirties, and having them interact with one another in some amazing ways. So higher functioning folks that have more verbal skills are sort of budding up with lower functioning folks and building that almost sibling like relationship where they’re helping one another out. We take you through some vocational skill building things that they then can get out and get out into the real world and get paid for. Our son has actually now got a job at crux climbing gyms in autism, as does one of his buddies. But also mix those vocational, those job training skills with things that are fun, things that are exciting, and you’ll see the smiles and you’ll see the joy on some of the kiddos faces, adults faces, and their colleagues. And our John 13 staff take them through all kinds of activities. So the next few videos is the first week, three days of our summer camp, and you’ll get to see different environments that we’re working in and some of the cool things that are going on. Hope you enjoy it.
