Camp GONNAWANNAGOAGIN’
Campers will expand their social and communication skills by joining one of our six, week-long summer camp sessions in Virginia Beach. We also offer a one-week session every spring, and when the school schedule allows, another camp for the winter break. Students ages 6 and older with a primary diagnosis of autism are eligible to attend camp. For individuals on the spectrum, Camp Gonnawanngoagin’ is a haven free from the daily struggles of processing the world they live in. We provide the communication and behavioral supports needed for every child to be successful.
Campers with ASD and student volunteers register here
iCan Bike
Learning to ride a bike creates opportunities for children with autism to develop social interaction skills, improve fitness, and boost their self-confidence. Biking is enjoyed almost everywhere at any time of the year by people of all ages and genders. It is also a valuable mode of transportation. FACT partners with iCan Bike to teach individuals with developmental disabilities ages 8 and older how to ride traditional two-wheel bicycles.
Information for Families
- Camp Gonnawannagoagin’ is an autism-specific program. Although we accept students with multiple diagnoses, we prioritize students that exhibit primary deficits in communication and socialization.
- We have a knowledgeable, compassionate staff that maintains a 1-2 guardian-camper ratio. Everyone is assigned a typical “peer buddy” that models expected behavior and offers acceptance and encouragement.
- We accept applicants with a wide variety of ability levels. Students who are non-verbal, or require toileting assistance are accepted.
- Our staff is mindful of sensory integration needs, language processing delays, dietary restrictions, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and limited awareness of environmental dangers.
- Campers with emerging verbal and social skills benefit from typical peer interactions and supported introduction to a variety of social and recreational skills.
- Due to the active nature of our camp, FACT is limited in its ability to accept students with physical disabilities, including visual and hearing impairments.
- Attendance is limited to a maximum of two weeks during the summer, so we can offer the opportunity to the largest number of campers possible.
Financial Aid Provided By Good Samaritans
Registration fees for all of our camps and programs only subsidize 50% of the actual cost for staffing, activities, transportation, materials, and administration. FACT contributes the balance of the cost through grants, donations, fundraisers. The following financial assistance is available for all camps and most programs:
- Financial Need-Based Scholarship: A discount of 50% is available to any student who qualifies for free or reduced lunch in the public school system, with documentation from the school. Documentation must be submitted with payment for discounts to be applied. Note that homeschoolers may provide a statement of need in lieu of school documents.
- Military Dependents Scholarship: We offer a 25% discount per week for as many sessions as needed. Only military dependents are eligible for this scholarship.
- Sibling Scholarship: Families with more than one child enrolled in our camp receive a 25% discount per child for as many weeks as they attend.
- Emma Dickerson Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship is offered to teens whose family has undergone hardships.
- Jack and Anne Glenn Scholarships: We provided families with financial need—thanks to the generous gifts of the Glenn Foundation.
- Francis Tom Memorial Scholarship: FACT honors the memory of Francis Tom by providing scholarships to families with financial needs.
- Jericho Jefferson Memorial Scholarship: In memory of a beloved family member, we offer a full one-week scholarship for an adult (18 and above) participant whose family is facing monetary issues.
Email: [email protected]
Address: 815 Baker Road
City: Virginia Beach
State: Virginia
Postal Code: 23462
Office phone: 757-422-2040
Website URL: [add-link website=https://camp4autism.com/programs/#camp]
Tags/Notes: Camp Gonnawannagoagain, Recreation & Leisure, camps, recreation programs, Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach