This independent camp was specifically designed for children who use AAC devices to communicate, but other campers may also be considered if space allows.

CAMPER ELIGIBILITY:

  • Recognize all or most of the letters of the alphabet.

  • Associate letters to speech sounds.

  • Enjoy book-reading activities.

  • MUST have a reliable mode of communication.

  • Possess the ability to participate in joint attention activities.

  • Do not demonstrate behaviors that negatively impact their ability to learn or the learning of others.

  • Do not require 1:1 behavioral support.

  • This is an independent overnight camp under the supervision of highly skilled counselors who are trained to care for the unique needs of your child. There is also a nurse at camp 24/7. Parents do not attend this camp.

IF YOUR CHILD IS AN AAC USER COMMUNICATOR:

  • How does your child access his/her device?

  • Can they use it independently or need prompting?

  • Are they able to navigate easily through their pages or do they need assistance to locate vocabulary?

  • Does your child use single cells to communicate a message or formulate phrases and sentences?

  • Is their device core vocabulary based?

  • Would someone unfamiliar with your child’s customized pages be able to model language and help your child locate vocabulary?

  • Do they initiate social exchanges?

  • How your child signal when he/she needs help?

  • What does their 1:1 conversations and/or group discussions look like?

  • Are they able to answer questions with a head nod or eye gaze?

  • Is there keyboard access on their device?

  • Do they spell words, use word prediction or core vocabulary when communicating or a variety of all?

OTHER QUESTIONS ASKED:

  • Does your child initiate social exchanges?

  • What does their 1:1 conversations and/or group discussions look like?

WE MAY ALSO REQUEST A FIVE MINUTE VIDEO OF YOUR CHILD INTERACTING WITH THEIR DEVICE.

2025 Camp Dates: July 26-31, 2025

 

Where: Rocky Mountain Village, Empire, CO

Camper Fees: $1100 per camper-(subject to change)

 

Camper Application: Applications TBA.



Adult Literacy Counselor Applications : Applications TBA.

Unfortunately, we cannot take volunteers

For application questions: campalecinfo@gmail.com

Campers return home from summer camp with happy memories, learned independence and priceless new friendships.  However, funding camp can prove to be challenging for many families.  Here are some funding ideas for parents looking for help.

  1. Community Organizations. Many community clubs and organizations are anxious to help families. Reach out to family members, friends, neighbors or coworkers who belong to these clubs to find out how to apply for assistance. Such clubs include:

    1. Rotary Club

    2. Lions Club

    3. Kiwanis

    4. Elks Lodge

    5. Church or Synagogue

  2. Family and Friends. Consider sharing news of camp with family and friends who may like to help. Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles may like to help sponsor a child.

  3. Local Fundraisers. Host a fundraiser and invite friends, family members and neighbors to come together for a fun activity that also helps collect funds for camp. Area restaurants and bars are often willing to supply food and beverages for a set fee while raffles and auction items can help raise additional money. Check your local state guidelines regarding this. Here are a few ideas:

    1. Organize a car wash

    2. Bake sale

    3. Recycle day

    4. Selling candy bars

    5. Get media coverage-tell your story and have people donate to camp in your child’s name to help defer the cost.

    6. Have a “work for self” party such as Avon, Jamberry Nails, Silpada, etc where reps are willing to donate the proceeds from the party sales to your camper.

    7. Hold a garage sale-ask others to donate goods they would normally donate to a Goodwill center to support your cause.

 

GRANTS/SCHOLARSHIPS

Individual grants are available for families for services such as therapy and camp.  Listings with * have funded campers in previous years. Here are some resources:

FUNDRAISING WEBSITES

Fundraising websites provide opportunities for individuals to collect money online by sharing your child's story.  Here are a few examples:

Always try a Google search – you never know what ideas you can find!

LITERACY COUNSELORS

To become a Literacy Counselor you must have previously taken a Level 1 Literacy course, or have read and applied techniques from Comprehensive Literacy for All This would be a 2-3 day CONVENTIONAL training with Drs. Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver OR a 2-3 day CONVENTIONAL training with presenters from Michigan. Please contact us if you are not sure of the Michigan presenters. If you have taken an emergent course, you can apply, but the conventional training is the experience we are looking for. At least a year of working with students using the knowledge gained is also suggested. 

Adult Literacy Counselor Applications Coming soon in 2025

LOOKING FOR LITERACY COURSES?

NEW LITERACY COURSE COMING SOON! APRIL 29-MAY 1, 2024. SAVE THE DATES!

We are often asked by educators and parents about courses in comprehensive literacy instruction with Drs. Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver. At this time, Camp ALEC is not able to offer workshops. However, there are excellent resources online as well as the book Comprehensive literacy for All authored by Drs. Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver. The components of comprehensive literacy instruction will look different for emergent and conventional literacy learners.

First, ask the following questions:

Does the student……

  • Know most of the letters, most of the time?

  • Engage actively during shared reading?

  • Have a means of communication and interaction?

  • Understand that writing involves letters and words?

If the answer is NO to one or more questions, comprehensive EMERGENT literacy interventions are indicated.

Modules:

http:www.project-core.com

http:www.sharedreader.org

If the answer is YES to ALL questions, comprehensive CONVENTIONAL literacy interventions are indicated.

Modules:

http://www.dlmp.com

http:www.buildingbridges-ela.com