About Beyond Akeela
Beyond Akeela is a three week summer 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 provide environment to take control of own experience. Social Connection: Form lifelong connections with a true peer group through travel and engaging camp activities. Executive Functioning: Camper planned days promote organization, flexibility, and time management.
Our Campers
Beyond Akeela is for teens who have completed 11th or 12th grade, or a post-graduate year. Our teens are successful academically and need additional support to maintain meaningful relationships with peers. They typically fit a profile of a young adult with Asperger’s syndrome, high functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or NVLD. Beyond Akeela teens are college bound or seeking employment options after high school.
A Unique Camp & College Readiness Program for Quirky Teens
Beyond Akeela blends elements of a traditional summer camp with components of a teen tour. Participants are part of a tight-knit community, in which they practice post-secondary life skills, experience adventure, and thrive socially. Each day is filled with fun and camaraderie, while preparing campers for life in college and beyond.
As in many other great teen programs, Beyond Akeela campers will enjoy new activities, engage in rewarding community service projects, explore college and post-secondary options, and embark on exciting adventures. The difference is that Beyond Akeela was designed from its inception with an intentional and explicit focus on fostering lifelong camp friendships while molding independent, successful young adults. Parents can rest assured that their children are being cared for by our amazing staff and that they’re acquiring the 21st Century Skills that will be critical as they enter college, the work force … and beyond!
Beyond Akeela campers are bright, independent and academically successful young adults who are looking for a little extra social support. They are at their best when surrounded by like-minded peers and when trusted adults help facilitate meaningful relationships with friends. Some have a diagnosis of Asperger’s or high functioning ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), and others may have a social-based learning difference such as NLD (or NVLD). Many of our campers aren’t diagnosed but describe themselves as “quirky”. As they approach high school graduation, Beyond Akeela campers are seeking experiences that help them practice the skills and tools they’ll need after high school.
