AuSM Summer Camp Hand in HandWhat is Camp Hand in Hand?

Camp Hand in Hand, provided by the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM), provides an overnight/sleepaway camp experience for youth and adults with autism. AuSM hosts this camp at a beautiful resort, Camp Knutson, in Crosslake, Minn.—about a three hour drive north of the Twin Cities area. There are four separate sessions of Hand in Hand, each serving a different age group.

Who are the campers?Campers are incredibly talented, engaging, and interesting individuals, who often benefit from the support of a camp counselor in making sure that they have everything they need to enjoy camp to the fullest. Campers with autism benefit from support in activity participation, meal times, personal care times, and in social time. Camp Hand in Hand serves campers with a variety of strengths and needs, and offers supports to each camper based on their individuality. Many of our campers appreciate the 1:1 support they receive at Camp Hand in Hand, which can make camp experiences accessible for the first time. Our goal is to make sure that campers consider their time at Camp Hand in Hand the best week of their year!

Who are the staff?Camp Hand in Hand is special because it offers a 1:1 staff to camper ratio. All staff must be at least 17 years of age to work Camp Hand in Hand. No previous experience is required! Counselors should be open-minded, positive, and resourceful. Each counselor is trained on-site at Camp Knutson, the day before campers arrive for their session. Counselors are offered a full day of training in which they learn great techniques in supporting individuals with autism. After training, all counselors are divided into groups. Each group is overseen by an expert “program staff” who can act as a manager and resource to counselors, each of whom will be paired to a specific camper based on personality and experience. Counselors interested in academic projects or volunteer hours also can coordinate that with AuSM’s Director of Camp Programs, Ben Urbanek.

Session 1: July 26-31, 2020 (males, ages 19-23; females, ages 19-26)

Session 2: Aug. 2-7, 2020 (males, ages 15-19)

Session 3: Aug. 9-14, 2020 (males, ages 24+; females, ages 27+)

Session 4: Aug. 16-21, 2020 (males, ages 9-15; females, ages 9-18)

2020 AuSM Camp Hand in Hand Sessions

Camp Days Busy and FunOnce campers arrive, counselors support their 1:1 camper by helping them get ready for the day, attending meals, and aiding in participation in camp activities, like swimming, boating, tubing, archery, horseback riding, arts and crafts, biking, games, and more. Staff are expected to participate in all activities alongside their campers. Some of the day is spent in small groups, while other activities are designated for the whole camp. Once activities end each day, counselors help get campers settled into bed, and then have the rest of the night to themselves. Each counselor is also guaranteed a one-hour break in the middle of the day. Finally, each counselor will be asked to serve only one “night duty” each week, in which they sleep in the camper buildings. After a night duty shift, camp staff are allowed the next morning off.

7:45 a.m. Camper wake up7:50-8:25 a.m. Help camper get ready for day as needed8:30-9 a.m. BREAKFAST9:10 a.m.-12:25 p.m. Morning activity rotations in small groups12:30-1 p.m. LUNCH1:05-2:10 p.m. Rest hour (Staff get a break while program staff stay with campers.)2:10-2:25 p.m. Help camper get ready for waterfront as needed

2:30-5 p.m. Waterfront (all camp; options include tubing, fishing, canoeing, paddleboating, swimming, water volleyball, beach activities, board games, and other activities)5-5:25 p.m. Transition from waterfront to getting ready for dinner and evening activities5:30-6 p.m. DINNER6-6:30 p.m. Biking6:30-8 p.m. Evening Activities (all camp; different theme/ activities each night of the week)8-8:45 p.m. Help camper get ready for bed as needed

Sample Camp Day Schedule

AccommodationsCamp Knutson provides a high quality experience for all campers and staff. Each staff is guaranteed a bed in a resort-quality building, with sleeping and restroom areas that are separate from camper living space. Meals also are provided for the duration of your role. Gluten-free and vegetarian special diets can be accommodated. Wifi is available at camp, with some special break areas dedicated to staff work. Counselors are paid a stipend for their time at camp, though volunteers also are accepted.

“My camper loved camp so much and he was so sad to leave. He wanted to stay so much that he even grabbed my hand and walked back to his cabin. When he finally had to go, he was so sad that he almost started crying and he grabbed my hand again before he left. His parents were so happy that he enjoyed it so much. It was inspirational to me to know that he had this good of a time and to know that I could help make this experience good for him. The camp is so accepting of everyone and their needs and I’m just happy that people can truly be themselves while they’re here. It was so much fun working here this year, and I know I’ll remember this experience forever.”

– Camp Hand in Hand Counselor

Staff Story

Contact AuSMFor more information about becoming a counselor at AuSM’s Camp Hand in Hand, contact Ben Urbanek, Director of Camp Programs, at 651.647.1083 ext. 16 or e-mail camp@ausm.org.