Camp G.R.A.C.E.
UPDATE: Due to extremely high demand, we are no longer accepting applications. We are proud to provide Camp G.R.A.C.E. and regret not being able to serve all families seeking this camp.
We are already planning for the summer and we can’t wait to see your children in 2025! Returning families will be emailed a camp application at the beginning of December. The application will be available to new families and on our website on February 1.
Camp G.R.A.C.E. is a day camp designed for children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), Autism Spectrum Disorder, and other special needs. Each session of Camp G.R.A.C.E. operates for one week, with each session focusing on building specific skills incorporating therapeutic ideas from many disciplines.
We offer two different sessions: Social Skills and Building Blocks. Social Skills Sessions are designed for children that do not require one-on-one assistance. The focus of these sessions will be on activity skill building, teamwork activities, and social situations. The Building Blocks sessions are designed with a smaller ratio to allow for more individual attention.
Throughout their camp session, children will work and play within their huddles to learn new games, complete art projects, participate in music and dog therapy times, and much more. Children will also get to enjoy water activities and sensory integration activities, as well as character and social skills development time.
Individuals from the following organizations donated their time and expertise in the formation of Camp G.R.A.C.E.: The YMCA of the Triangle, A Small Miracle, LLC., the Autism Society of North Carolina, Community Partnerships, Maxim Home Health, and independently contracted behavioral psychologists. It is through the generosity and dedication of all of the above-mentioned organizations and donors to the YMCA’s Annual Campaign that we are able to provide Camp G.R.A.C.E.
This camp is held at Apex Elementary School and operated by the Kraft Family YMCA. Check out our F.A.Q. page.
At Camp G.R.A.C.E. we are fortunate to have the financial support of many friends in our community that allow us to make camp possible for any or child who needs it regardless of the family or caregiver’s ability to pay. We also understand that having a child with special needs provides some unique financial challenges to families and we want to be able to support you in any way possible. That being said, if there is any reason you feel that you could benefit from financial assistance for Camp G.R.A.C.E. please fill out our financial assistance application so we can best support you and your family this summer.
Camp G.R.A.C.E. is an application-based program. Once your application is completed, a director will reach out to you in 2-3 weeks about your child's participation at camp this summer. You will not be able to register for Camp G.R.A.C.E. until your application has been reviewed by a director. Returning families will be emailed a camp application the beginning of December. The application will be available to new families and on our website on February 1.
For questions, please contact Lauren Soles.
| Theme | Day | Date | Time | Prices | Ages | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Building Blocks - Dino World
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A roaring week of prehistoric fun! Campers will dig for fossils, go on dino egg hunts and learn about the giants that once ruled the Earth. |
Mon - Fri
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Jun 23 - Jun 27 | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm | M:$298 PP:$373 | 5 - 18 |
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A roaring week of prehistoric fun! Campers will dig for fossils, go on dino egg hunts and learn about the giants that once ruled the Earth. |
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Social Skills - Dino World
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A roaring week of prehistoric fun! Campers will dig for fossils, go on dino egg hunts and learn about the giants that once ruled the Earth. |
Mon - Fri
|
Jun 23 - Jun 27 | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm | M:$298 PP:$373 | 5 - 18 |
|
A roaring week of prehistoric fun! Campers will dig for fossils, go on dino egg hunts and learn about the giants that once ruled the Earth. |
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Building Blocks - Party in the USA
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Celebrate all things USA with a week of music, dancing, crafts from different states, backyard games and a festive red-white-and-blue party to end the week. |
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
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Jun 30 - Jul 3 | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm | M:$238 PP:$298 | 5 - 18 |
|
Celebrate all things USA with a week of music, dancing, crafts from different states, backyard games and a festive red-white-and-blue party to end the week. |
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Social Skills - Party in the USA
|
Celebrate all things USA with a week of music, dancing, crafts from different states, backyard games and a festive red-white-and-blue party to end the week. |
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
|
Jun 30 - Jul 3 | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm | M:$238 PP:$298 | 5 - 18 |
|
Celebrate all things USA with a week of music, dancing, crafts from different states, backyard games and a festive red-white-and-blue party to end the week. |
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Building Blocks - Superhero Academy
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Campers become heroes-in-training with obstacle courses, costume design, team missions and values-based activities focused on bravery, kindness and teamwork. |
Mon - Fri
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Jul 7 - Jul 11 | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm | M:$298 PP:$373 | 5 - 18 |
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Campers become heroes-in-training with obstacle courses, costume design, team missions and values-based activities focused on bravery, kindness and teamwork. |
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Social Skills - Superhero Academy
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Campers become heroes-in-training with obstacle courses, costume design, team missions and values-based activities focused on bravery, kindness and teamwork. |
Mon - Fri
|
Jul 7 - Jul 11 | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm | M:$298 PP:$373 | 5 - 18 |
|
Campers become heroes-in-training with obstacle courses, costume design, team missions and values-based activities focused on bravery, kindness and teamwork. |
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Building Blocks - We Built This City
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A week of imagination and construction! Campers will design and build a mini city using various creative materials. |
Mon - Fri
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Jul 14 - Jul 18 | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm | M:$298 PP:$373 | 5 - 18 |
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A week of imagination and construction! Campers will design and build a mini city using various creative materials. |
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Social Skills - We Built This City
|
A week of imagination and construction! Campers will design and build a mini city using various creative materials. |
Mon - Fri
|
Jul 14 - Jul 18 | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm | M:$298 PP:$373 | 5 - 18 |
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A week of imagination and construction! Campers will design and build a mini city using various creative materials. |
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Building Blocks - Holiday Hoopla
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Experience a different holiday each day! From Valentine crafts to Halloween costumes to a summer “snowball” fight, this week is packed with festive fun crafts and surprises. |
Mon - Fri
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Jul 21 - Jul 25 | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm | M:$298 PP:$373 | 5 - 18 |
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Experience a different holiday each day! From Valentine crafts to Halloween costumes to a summer “snowball” fight, this week is packed with festive fun crafts and surprises. |
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Social Skills - Holiday Hoopla
|
Experience a different holiday each day! From Valentine crafts to Halloween costumes to a summer “snowball” fight, this week is packed with festive fun crafts and surprises. |
Mon - Fri
|
Jul 21 - Jul 25 | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm | M:$298 PP:$373 | 5 - 18 |
|
Experience a different holiday each day! From Valentine crafts to Halloween costumes to a summer “snowball” fight, this week is packed with festive fun crafts and surprises. |
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Building Blocks - Under the Sea
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Dive into an underwater adventure with ocean-themed crafts, sea creature games, water play and storytelling about life in the deep blue sea. |
Mon - Fri
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Jul 28 - Aug 1 | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm | M:$298 PP:$373 | 5 - 18 |
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Dive into an underwater adventure with ocean-themed crafts, sea creature games, water play and storytelling about life in the deep blue sea. |
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Social Skills - Under the Sea
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Dive into an underwater adventure with ocean-themed crafts, sea creature games, water play and storytelling about life in the deep blue sea. |
Mon - Fri
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Jul 28 - Aug 1 | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm | M:$298 PP:$373 | 5 - 18 |
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Dive into an underwater adventure with ocean-themed crafts, sea creature games, water play and storytelling about life in the deep blue sea. |
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Building Blocks - Animal Planet
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Campers explore habitats, go on animal scavenger hunts, and learn how to protect the wild—all while playing themed games and creating animal-inspired art. |
Mon - Fri
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Aug 4 - Aug 8 | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm | M:$298 PP:$373 | 5 - 18 |
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Campers explore habitats, go on animal scavenger hunts, and learn how to protect the wild—all while playing themed games and creating animal-inspired art. |
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Social Skills - Animal Planet
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Campers explore habitats, go on animal scavenger hunts, and learn how to protect the wild—all while playing themed games and creating animal-inspired art. |
Mon - Fri
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Aug 4 - Aug 8 | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm | M:$298 PP:$373 | 5 - 18 |
|
Campers explore habitats, go on animal scavenger hunts, and learn how to protect the wild—all while playing themed games and creating animal-inspired art. |
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Build Blocks - Once Upon a Time
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A magical week where fairy tales come alive! Kids become characters, create enchanted crafts, solve whimsical quests and enjoy our own storybook ending of camp. |
Mon - Fri
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Aug 11 - Aug 15 | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm | M:$298 PP:$373 | 5 - 18 |
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A magical week where fairy tales come alive! Kids become characters, create enchanted crafts, solve whimsical quests and enjoy our own storybook ending of camp. |
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Social Skills - Once Upon a Time
|
A magical week where fairy tales come alive! Kids become characters, create enchanted crafts, solve whimsical quests and enjoy our own storybook ending of camp. |
Mon - Fri
|
Aug 11 - Aug 15 | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm | M:$298 PP:$373 | 5 - 18 |
|
A magical week where fairy tales come alive! Kids become characters, create enchanted crafts, solve whimsical quests and enjoy our own storybook ending of camp. |
Camp G.R.A.C.E. Details
The Y is proud to provide a day camp for children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) or Autism. We focus on your child's growth, recognition, achievement, character and encouragement. We offer alternating two-week sessions called "Social Skills" and "Building Blocks" which differ based on the skills and abilities of the child.
Social Skills sessions are designed for children who do not require one-on-one assistance (1:3 ratio); the focus of the session will be on activity skill building, inclusive activities and social situations. We will work on building individual skills and also incorporating teamwork. The participants of Social Skills session should be able to do the following: communicate clearly, follow complex instructions, participate in group activities, independent self-help skills.
Building Blocks sessions are designed with a smaller ratio (1:2 ratio) to allow for more individual attention. The goal is to break down the activities in our smaller groups and work on teaching the basic skills. This session is developed for children who need more hand-over-hand assistance and simpler instructions.
Rides In: 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Rides Out: 2:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Rides In and Rides Out are located at the lower bus loop near the tennis courts at Apex Elementary (starred on the map). A staff member will escort your child to and from your car for your convenience.
At Rides Out, parents must present a pick-up card (provided on the first day of camp) or an ID as a safety precaution. At registration, you can also place additional friends and families on your approved pick-up list to help us ensure the safety of your child.
After camp closes at 2:30 p.m., a late fee applies. The fee is $5 for the first 10 minutes and $1 for every minute thereafter.
We offer a wide range of activities to engage our campers. Daily activities include swimming and a multitude of group games. Special therapies are offered such as Dog Therapy and Music Therapy, through contracted programs. Camp G.R.A.C.E. campers are bussed to the Kraft Family YMCA on M/W/F to swim. The following are examples of activities that are incorporated into the weekly schedules. Please note, the activities will be adapted to meet the needs and skill levels of the children.
Scooters
Parachute Games
Relay Games
Sensory Activities
Bean Bag Games
Ball Games
Arts and Crafts
Teambuilding
Huddle Time
On Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, Camp G.R.A.C.E. campers are bussed to the Kraft Family YMCA to swim from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Swimming
Campers ride the bus to the Kraft Family YMCA on M/W/F from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. to swim.
Dog Therapy
Helping Paws comes on Monday at 10 a.m. to walk Crystal the Greyhound and Vincent the Lab around at camp.
Music Therapy
Voices Together Music Therapy comes on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Kids enjoy singing songs to help learn about their feelings, practice movement and learn about different instruments.
Water Day
We will have fun with water on Tuesday or Thursday, depending on the week. (details in weekly email) Be sure to pack your swimsuit and water shoes!
Social Skills Field Trip (weeks 3, 4, 7, & 8)
Social Skills campers will ride a bus to a variety of field trips over the summer. Check out the weekly newsletter email for details about what the trip is for that week!
Family Day
Every other Friday at 2 p.m. families are invited to join us at camp while campers receive their Paper Plate Awards. Family Day usually ends around 2:30 p.m.
A Parent Orientation will be held Friday, June 20 at 1:30 p.m. at Apex Elementary School. Find us on the lower level near tennis courts.