Camp Akeela
Camp Akeela is a Vermont-based overnight summer camp specifically designed for children and teens with...
▌ Editor's read Camp Akeela's website loads as a legitimate camp site, clearly outlining its mission to serve children and teens with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders. The camp is ACA accredited, with its accreditation expiring in 2025, indicating adherence to industry safety and quality standards. The website states a staff-to-camper ratio of 1:2, which is exceptionally low and beneficial for their target population, and explicitly mentions that all staff undergo background checks. Founded by Debbie and Eric Sasson, the camp has been operating for 20 years, demonstrating significant experience in this specialized field. Google reviews for Camp Akeela show a strong rating of 4.9 stars based on 100 reviews, with many parents praising the camp's positive impact on their children's social development and overall well-being. The program is exclusively overnight, offering a comprehensive summer experience tailored to its campers' unique needs.
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 200620+ years operating
Who thrives here Ages 9–17
Camp Akeela is built for middle-school campers — an age where leadership tracks, deeper specialization, and identity exploration take over from generalist day-camp formats. specialty programs that thrive at this age publish a clear weekly progression rather than a rotating activity menu, and the staff-to-camper conversation usually matters more than the activity list.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Yes
- Established
- 2006 (20 years)
- Operator
- Private business
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Published by camp see camp site →
Details
- Category: Specialty
- Ages: 9–17
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: One Thoreau Way, Thetford Center, VT 05075, USA
- Phone: (802) 333-4843
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: USD. $9500 for a 3-week session.
Runs 24-hour residential, 2 sessions (0 one-week, 2 multi-week blocks), from Jun 26 to Aug 10.
Sessions ⛓
Bookable units published by the camp. Multi-week blocks marked ⛓ are indivisible — register for the full session.
- Session 1 Jun 26 – Jul 17, 2026 · 4 weeks · $9,500
- Session 2 Jul 20 – Aug 10, 2026 · 4 weeks · $9,500
↗ What parents like
- For neurodivergent kids
- Focus on social skills
↘ Watch for
- High cost per week
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: Yes
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: mixed
Frequently asked about Camp Akeela
- What ages does Camp Akeela accept?
- Camp Akeela is open to children ages 9–17. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does Camp Akeela cost?
- Camp Akeela publishes $3,167/week for the standard session. USD. $9500 for a 3-week session. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are Camp Akeela's hours?
- Camp Akeela runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Is Camp Akeela accredited?
- Yes — Camp Akeela is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 20 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
- Who runs Camp Akeela?
- Camp Akeela is operated by a private business, with 20 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Camp Akeela provide lunch?
- Camp Akeela does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
- Does Camp Akeela offer transportation?
- Camp Akeela provides transportation. Coverage zones and bus stops vary; ask for the route map for the summer you're enrolling in. Some camps fold bus fees into tuition, others bill separately.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Camp Akeela with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
- Summer camp safety and accreditation · Review the safety signals that matter most.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Camp Akeela.
- Camp Akeela - Beyond Akeela · Camp Akeela - Beyond Akeela · Ages 15–18 · $2,900/week
- Camp Akeela - Family Camp · Camp Akeela - Family Camp · Ages 9–17 · $4,250/week