Summer Camp registration is open

Our camp will be run in two stages this summer. 

  • Stage 1: For first time students and some still mastering the skills taught below. 
  • Stage 2: Led by John Anderson and for students that have been at camp multiple times and ready for the next level.  Students should be advanced socially and mastered most of the skills taught in stage 1 w/ Julie.
Stage 1: Dedicated program for new students and repeat campers

This program runs like all previous summer camps.  Nothing is taken away from your child's week at camp.
  • Daily social skills checklist
  • Getting to know your peers, their names and interests
  • Daily outings to practice our social & life skills
  • Parent support at drop off (help students w/ their drop off check list)
  • Students will also learn the basic skills for riding the bus, using money, time management, organization, how to make friends, how to be a friend and much needed social skills, essentially what we have been teaching for 10 years.
Stage 2: Program for our socially advanced students
  • Students who are advanced in their social skills will be together (Less of a social divide)
  • Focus on skills needed as they get closer to age 18!
  • Programming will better reflect their abilities and work towards greater independence
  • Programming their own activities, planning the bus route, choosing restaurants, using Google maps, emphasis on social expectations, greater self reliance, team work and communication skills
  • Parents will have notes to help continue the skills taught at camp
  • Morning drop off w/ out parent supervision: students are responsible for the daily check list w/ out mom and dad helping
  • Knowing the schedule ahead of time: how much money is needed for the day, pack a lunch or eating out? Rain gear or sunny day? Did I bring water or need to buy some when we are out.
  • Greater emphasis on daily budget
  • Students are working towards taking the bus on their own, eating out w/ out parents help, making purchases independently, able to budget on their own and know the social skills needed for work, group projects & relationships!
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1:6 Ratio
Our groups are small to better meet the needs of the individual student. 
Camps are $550/week+hst
Includes the cost of all activity fees along with free OC Transpo passes for the week attending.
Please note, the week registered for is a week committed to including the full payment. We will not be offering part time attendance at a reduced rate nor reimbursing for missed days.

For students new to Spectrum Insights
please fill out our:
NEW STUDENT INTAKE FORM
If your child is an existing Spectrum Insights student, please email me for the registration link:
​john@spectruminsights.ca



For more information please contact:
John Anderson
John@Spectruminsights.ca

Volunteer positions
We are only taking volunteers w/ experience working in the Autism field
or going to school in a similar discipline. 
Volunteers will also need a vulnerable sector check,
first aid/cpr and experience working w/ groups of students. 



If you are looking for more information about the week(s) your child is booked for, please visit our new parent info page for more  info on:
  • Registration/New Student Inquiries 
  • Summer Camp Intro Letter
  • Itineraries (to be posted soon)
http://www.spectruminsights.ca/parent-info.html

Some of the Activities we attend

  • Fun haven  ◦ Outdoor Concerts ◦ Level One  ◦Blurry Pixel
  • Museum of Civilization ◦ Ottawa River Boat Tour ◦ Mini Golf ◦ Bowling◦ Comic book shops◦ Anime Stop◦
  • Laser Quest ◦ Petrie Island ◦ Art Gallery ◦ Picnics ◦ Shopping
  • Movies ◦ Restaurants ◦ Water park
Skills we cover
Learning to use public transit
  • How to use a presto pass
  • Learning how to use the Oc Transpo travel Planner
  • Using Google Maps
  • Inform the student about other options ie Bus pass & Family pass
  • Teach the student how to enter a bus
  • How to pay using either tickets/pass/presto or transfer.
  • Planning the bus route for the day or week
  • Emergency situations: Missed stops, If a student gets lost, Location of Yellow call boxes
  • What to do if left alone on the bus or left alone at a stop
  • Where to sit on the bus
  • Who not to sit next to
  • What to do w/ backpacks
  • Losing tickets and transfers
Organization Skills:

  • Daily planning: Where are we going - how do we get there - what do we need
  • Using a watch and telling time: Each student should have a watch
  • Print out daily schedule and weekly budget - Update it daily w/ the students

Social Skills
  • Daily greetings
  • Remembering names
  • Knowing the interests of each student
  • Conversation starters
  • Social etiquette in the classroom - In the city - On the bus - During transactions
  • Teach how to plan a socials
Safety:

  • Be aware of transients and strangers
  • What to do and say when approached by a stranger
  • What to do when Lost or separated from the group
  • Walking down the street, making room for the elderly or wheelchairs
  • Spatial awareness/social awareness
Money Management:

  • How to use a wallet
  • Where to carry your money
  • Budgeting meals for the week
  • Daily Budget
  • Keeping track of money as they move through the day
  • Help the students handle money during transactions
  • Help the student learn delayed gratification (personal shopping is done on Fridays)
  • Losing money
  • Losing a wallet/purse
  • How to handle small change
  • Teaching the student how to be efficient during a transaction
  • How to stay calm when they feel rushed

Parent Feedback

Hi John, I just wanted to let you know something. Abby takes the bus all over the place. She is a real pro. Two of her friends have asked her for help in learning how to navigate the bus. She gets them to set up  the route. She says that she teaches them the same way she was taught at camp. She is very proud of herself, :) I thought you would like to know and to thank you for giving her that confidence and independence. 
Tess 

I have accompanied clients for 2 summers to John's camp. I have been to the Social & Life Skills Camp and the 18 and older "Moving Forward Camp." My clients and myself look forward each summer to attending his camp. 
John has excellent behaviour management skills, teaches the clients social and life skills (planning your bus route, bus etiquette, looking at a menu and ordering, tipping, planning and organizing outings, getting to know people, body language, budgeting money, etc.) that are important to daily living as well as incorporating the clients' interests that are age appropriate. He develops a great relationship with the clients and jokes around with them to develop a rapport. Sometimes our daily schedule changes, which helps clients deal with changes that can occur in every day life. The clients develop friendships with each other and help each other out thanks to John's teaching. John allows the clients to make mistakes and encourages them to work as a team to solve the problem. John captures our daily outings on camera and/or film so parents can view their children interacting and having fun at camp. 

It is a great camp for fostering independence while incorporating your child's interest which in turn creates motivation! I have been to many summer camps and this camp is one of the top camps that my clients and myself look forward to attending each summer! 

Melisa Gibson - Itinerant Educational Assistant

Hi John
Steve and I just wanted to send you a thank you for setting up this camp for Michael's age group (ages 18-25).

This was something that Michael looked forward to every day (without complaints of getting up in the morning) and had something positive to say each evening when we talked about the events of the day.
We would often ask him to name the teens in the group and explain his day to day and on occasion would ask if there was one camper in particular that he enjoyed his or her company .... and he always said John lol.

thanks again for a positive week and please keep us posted should you have anything for Michael's age group in the future.
Linda and Steve Warne

This is the second year my son has attended this specialized camp.  It's a great option to traditional camps as my 13 year old son is now taller and bigger than most camp counselors!  John does a wonderful job at engaging the participants socially and mentally, getting them to try new experiences, and practice them over and over.  My son has learned how to carry a wallet and manage a budget.  The group explores the city:  various parks, popular attractions (entertainment, museums, etc), and many different eating establishments.  Once again we'll be signing up early for next summer!
B.K

My son has attended these camps both 2012 and 2013. The camps were great! The participants all had fun while learning new self help and social skills. John plans the camps very well and the activities are always interesting. In addition, John also takes the time and effort to get to know each camper to support and encourage the campers' participation. We are so grateful that he has been able to offer these camps and my son is already looking forward to going again in 2014!
Parent: Anna Hwang

"My 14 year old son Jordan attended the social and life skills summer camp organized by John for the first time this summer.  The camp was beneficial for Jordan in many ways.  From learning life skills, to being able to further develop his social skills, to simply having fun with new friends.  My son Jordan looked forward everyday to going to the camp, a feat in itself!  John was able to reach Jordan and provide sound counseling.  I will certainly enroll Jordan next year. Thank you John!
F.S