When summer rolls around in sunny San Diego, a simple rite of passage is on the mind of many children and families: going to camp. But for families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the cost and logistics of summer camp are not so simple.<\/p>\n
With that in mind, the Autism Society San Diego started Camp Including Children with Autism Now (Camp I CAN) in 2002.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was one of the original founders of Camp I CAN,\u201d explained Shirley Fett, executive board member and former president of the Autism Society San Diego. \u201cI have two sons with autism myself \u2026 When my boys were younger, over a decade ago, I was starting to try and find camp programs for them. This camp was born out of a need that I saw for myself as well as lots of other parents.\u201d<\/p>\n That need includes a camp with a low staff-to-camper ratio and one-on-one supervision at times. All staff members have prior experience working with children with ASD. The camp runs for eight weeks with a new group of children \u2014 ages 6\u201317 years old \u2014 attending each week. It is currently held at two YMCA locations: Toby Wells in Kearny Mesa and Palomar Family in Escondido. This year, Camp I CAN served about 120 children with ASD.<\/p>\n \u201cWe created the camp with a bunch of activities we know kids with autism really like to do,\u201d Fett said. \u201cKids with autism usually don\u2019t like to sit in a group doing art projects all day. [Campers] go on community-based outings everyday. They go to theme parks like Legoland or Chuck E. Cheese. They go to Birch Aquarium. They\u2019re going to be busy every day.\u201d<\/p>\n Hiring a sizable team of qualified staff and funding numerous outings isn\u2019t cheap, however.<\/p>\n \u201cThe raw costs \u2014 gross costs if you will \u2014 for camp are about $700 per child, which is cost-restrictive for most families,\u201d Fett said. \u201cWe try to raise enough money so that families end up paying only what they would for a typical camp that others would pay for. We also have financial aid for those [who] can\u2019t afford that [and] try to offset the costs with fundraising.\u201d<\/p>\n Fundraising for Autism Society San Diego is a constant process highlighted by events that seek the community\u2019s involvement. In soliciting donations for one such event Fett came across Mike Hess Brewing.<\/p>\n \u201cMike Hess asked \u2018Have you thought about doing a fundraiser at our location?\u2019\u201d Fett said. \u201cThey opened the door for us and said \u2018Yeah we\u2019d be willing to partner with you guys.\u2019 This [type of event] has been on our list of to-dos for a few years and then this opportunity came up.\u201d<\/p>\n The Autism Society San Diego organized a committee for the event comprised of volunteers and board members with Fett as co-chairperson. As all proceeds from the first ever Ales for Autism are committed to Camp I CAN, Fett stressed the positive impact that the camp has on children and families.<\/p>\n \u201cIt has meant so much to all of us,\u201d mother Jenny Wirth wrote in a letter about Camp I CAN. \u201cMy son feels included, welcomed, befriended and liked … that is priceless.\u00a0[Camp] gives my child a place to feel safe and bloom \u2026 It gives me a little respite because I know he is safe.\u201d<\/p>\n The Ales for Autism committee\u2019s efforts will come to fruition on Tuesday, Oct. 7 with their inaugural event starting at 5 p.m. at Mike Hess Brewing\u2019s North Park tasting room, located at3812 Grim Ave. Advance tickets are only $25 and include four tasters of Mike Hess beers, as well as dinner and dessert from the New Orleans Food Truck parked out back. Attendees will also receive a souvenir tasting glass and the chance to win door prizes throughout the night. If the event doesn\u2019t sell out, tickets at the door will be $30. On top of all that, Mike Hess Brewing will donate 10 percent of his sales for that entire day to the nonprofit.<\/p>\n The planning committee has also organized a silent auction, which will feature prize baskets with donations from local businesses, including Coles Fine Carpets, Cohn Restaurant Group, Starlite Lounge, West Coast Tavern, Hammond\u2019s Gourmet Ice Cream, Splash Wine Lounge, Waypoint Public and many others.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are really excited about the response to the event so far,\u201d stated committee member and Autism Society San Diego board member Angela Aiello. \u201cWe have already sold half of the available tickets and have gotten some great donations for the silent auction;\u00a0it seems the San Diego craft beer culture pairs really well with community giving. If this fundraiser is successful, we hope to do more Ales for Autism events in\u00a0the future.\u201d<\/p>\n For more information and to purchase tickets to Ales for Autism, visit autismsocietysandiego.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"amp](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/wk1_2_2014web.jpg\")
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(courtesy Autism Society San Diego)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/a>
taster glass.
(Courtesy Autism Society San Diego)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n