Camp Tall Tree

We provide lots of support to make all things at camp more accessible; we offer flexible programming, dietary accommodations, and low camper to staff ratios. We create opportunities for engaging and motivating social experiences, and we provide enough structure for kids to feel safe and secure.

All kids have unique needs, and none of them should stand in the way of having impactful and enriching experiences. Our true focus at camp is on fun. Campers go swimming, boating, shoot archery, and try out the ropes course. They roast s’mores, sing camp songs, and tie dye t-shirts. We feel that summer camp is a valuable experience for everyone, and we believe that all kids stand taller when they build lasting friendships and belong to a community that sees them as more than the challenges they face.

Main Camp
Ages 7 – 17
July 9 – 14
Designed for campers with Autism 7 – 17 years old, Camp Tall Tree offers a 6-day camp session with programs that have been designed to meet a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and cognitive needs because we believe that summer camp is a valuable experience for everyone. We appreciate the diversity of background, ability, health needs, and home lives of our campers and our staff strive every day to make camp a safe environment in which our campers can laugh, learn, and play. We believe that all kids stand taller when they build lasting friendships and feel like they belong to a community that sees them as more than the challenges they face.

During Camp Tall Tree, we offer a traditional summer camp experience. Campers go swimming, boating, shoot archery, and try out the ropes course. We toast s’mores, sing camp songs, make crafts, and eat camp food. We understand that each camper needs unique support in order to access our program, so we offer extensive staff training, flexible programming, and a 24-hour medical team. Our program is designed to offer many choices throughout the day, and we provide enough structure so kids feel safe and secure.

Siblings Camp
Ages 7 – 13
July 9 – 14
Siblings of people with special needs have an exceptional perspective on life. They often have big hearts and open minds, but sometimes they can be confused about where they fit in. They might feel somewhat isolated, because they have such a unique family situation. At Camp Tall Tree all of that is different! We are positioned perfectly to support siblings, because we understand a lot about special needs.  

We offer all of our campers a tight-knit community and lasting friendships.  Most campers feel a deep connection and sense of belonging that they look for all year long.  We feel that siblings benefit from getting to know other siblings, taking in some information, being able to ask questions, and sharing their experience.

Explorers
Ages 18-26
August 13 – 18
This is a vocational and skill building program for campers age 18-26 who struggle with self-organization, team communication, self-advocacy, and other adult skills. This program is designed to teach real-life skills in the fun and interesting environment of summer camp. Campers will enjoy all the fun of camp and walk away with a set of experiences geared toward their adult life and responsibilities. 

We work in small groups, with low ratios, so that teens get a lot of personal attention. All of the programs at Camp Tall Tree are super fun – and our skill-building session retains the best parts of summer camp: good friends, lots of laughs, and a feeling of belonging.

Young adults who apply for this session can expect a structured program that includes some of the typical fun of camp (ropes course, swimming, camp fires etc.) and also includes specific skill building curriculum. The counselor-camper ratio will be 1:2 for this session. Our Explorers should be entirely independent with personal care, and not aggressive towards others. We have 24 hour medical support and we are less than one hour from University of Michigan Hospital.

SOA Scholarships-Tuition Assistance

SOA Scholarships

Because we believe every child should have the opportunity to experience summer camp regardless of their inability to pay, the Howell Nature Center has a Tuition Assistance Program graciously funded by The Spirit of Alexandria Foundation. If your family is in need of financial assistance for your child(ren) to attend summer camp, please start by creating an account and register your campers. Complete all required forms, then fill out the SOA Scholarship Application- this electronic form is located in Step 3 of the online registration process. Then pay required deposits. You will be notified of your award amount via email after your application has been reviewed. Applications are reviewed on the first Monday of every month, January-May.

Please Note: SOA Scholarships are available based on financial need.