About Beyond Akeela
Beyond Akeela is a three week summer pre-college program with an intentional focus on helping teens transition into their post-secondary lives. With a home base at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI, participants are part of a community in which they practice independent living skills, experience adventure, and thrive socially. Beyond Akeela expands horizons, develops self-advocacy, and creates friendships that last a lifetime.
What to Expect
College & Job Readiness: Organic opportunities to practice independent living skills in a college setting. Self-Advocacy: Choice based activity options create the environment to take control of your own experience. Social Connection: Form lifelong connections with a true peer group and develop social skills through travel and engaging camp activities. Executive Functioning: Camper planned days promote organization, flexibility, and time management.
Our Campers
Beyond teens have completed 11th or 12th grade, or a post-graduate year. Teens who thrive at Beyond Akeela are successful academically and benefit from additional support to maintain meaningful relationships with true peers. While not all campers have a diagnosis, most teens have a profile of someone with Asperger’s or NLD. Beyond Akeela teens are college bound or seeking employment options beyond high school.
A Unique Camp & College Readiness Program for High School Teens with Asperger’s, Or Similar ASD (Autism) Profile, NLD, and ADD/ADHD
Beyond Akeela blends elements of a college preparedness program and teen tour with the heart and soul of a traditional summer camp community. Participants practice post-secondary independent living skills, experience adventure, and develop life-long friendships, all while preparing for their transition to college and beyond.
As in many other great teen programs, Beyond Akeela campers enjoy choice-based social outings, engage in rewarding community service projects, explore college and post-secondary options, and experience cultural travel opportunities. The difference is that Beyond Akeela is designed with an intentional and explicit focus on fostering lifelong camp friendships while molding independent, successful young adults. Parents rest assured that their teens are socially connected, feel supported by an amazing staff, and are acquiring the 21st Century Skills that are critical for success in their transition to college and the work force!
Beyond Akeela campers are bright, independent and academically successful young adults who are looking for a little extra social support. Some have a diagnosis of Asperger’s or similar ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) profile, and others may have ADD/ADHD or a social-based learning difference such as NLD (or NVLD). Many of our campers aren’t diagnosed but describe themselves as “quirky.”
