SWeeTE SpOTLIGHT

Let me tell you about another awe-inspiring organization called Ascendigo.  We were introduced to Ascendigo two years ago and initially I was skeptical.  Would my city-born, “attached at the hip” son be able to attend a day camp without me, let alone participate in the various outdoor activities?  Here we are two years later, back home from a second amazing week in Colorado (Ascendigo is based outside of Aspen) and we are already thinking about next summer.

Ascendigo Autism Services is a nonprofit organization, that among other things, holds summer adventure camps.  Their team has specific specialized training to work with the spectrum of abilities and behaviors of their participants.  These counselors or “coaches” devote their whole summer to being one-on-one with kids and young adults with autism and other special needs. They take them on adventures in the most beautiful places. Adventures that are otherwise typical for sleep-away camps, summer vacations or long weekends at the lake.  Not everyone (moms and dads included) is equipped with the superpowers these Ascendigo counselors have that make it all possible.  Each day families can leave their son or daughter with confidence that they will not only be safe, but will have fun, gain confidence and make happy memories.

My son comes home excited to tell others of his accomplishments such as wakeboarding, horseback riding and rock climbing.  It makes my husband and I so incredibly happy to see how excited and proud of himself he is. 

We are so grateful to Ascendigo for providing children and young adults with special needs the opportunity to go to camp, experience new things, overcome fears and have a blast.