Camp Akeela

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Choice Camps Recommendation of Camp Akeela

Camp Akeela is set on 400 wooded acres in Strafford, Vermont. The camp's cabins, facilities and program areas are perched on the shores of Miller Pond, a crystal-clear 65 acre lake that the camp shares exclusively with one private home. Akeela campers are typically described as bright and creative, yet they often struggle to make meaningful social connections with other children. Akeela campers need practice and guidance in reading non-verbal cues, exhibiting conversational empathy, or understanding social nuances.

Some Akeela campers have been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome or Non-Verbal Learning Disability (NLD), however, not all campers have diagnoses, receive treatment, or are in special education programs. Above all, the primary element that attracts parents to Camp Akeela is a desire to have their children join a family-like, supportive camp community with top-notch programs and facilities.

Program Description

Camp Akeela is a camp for boys and girls completing grades 4-9 who are seeking a fun-filled, traditional camp experience that supports their social growth. Akeela offers a structure, well-rounded program featuring a variety of activities in the arts, aquatics, sports, adventures, and more. Campers travel to most activities with their cabin and age group. By trying new things and enhancing existing skills, Akeela campers experience a sense of confidence and achievement on a daily basis.

A focus on important life skills underlies every activity at Camp Akeela. For example, campers learning to canoe are working on physical coordination and athletic competence, as well as practicing cooperation and teamwork. What really makes Camp Akeela unique, however, is that this same canoeing activity is carefully customized to support the specific social goals of the campers in that particular group.

Whether it's in the pool, at the art studio, at the farm, or on a baseball field, Akeela campers will not only learn new skills but, more importantly, they will learn about themselves.

Staff Overview

Camp Akeela is boasts more than 3 adults for every 4 campers and an in-bunk ratio of 1:2 (3 to 4 counselors with 6 to 8 campers).

The Akeela senior staff is composed of highly trained and experienced professionals in the fields of psychology, special education and social work, as well as physical, speech and occupational therapists. These "go-to" people train and provide on-going support to counselors and activity specialists. They also work directly with campers as part of the regular camp program and on an as-needed basis.

Setting & Accommodations

Akeela's location in the lush Connecticut River Valley on the Vermont - New Hampshire border places it only 25 minutes from the charming college town of Dartmouth, NH. It is also a short trip to endless outdoor adventure opportunities in the Green and White Mountain National Forests. The camp is 2-1/2 hours from Boston and approximately 4-1/2 hours from the New York Metro area.

All Akeela campers live in newly renovated bunks with private bathrooms, hot water and showers. Campers have plenty of space for clothes and other personal items. Each cabin group consists of no more than 8 campers, along with 3 or 4 counselors. Two of those counselors travel to activities with the group, ensuring that campers are always with staff members who know their individual needs.

The food at Camp Akeela is both “kid friendly” and healthy. There are always choices at meals so that campers can learn to try new things while also knowing that they can always find something they like to eat.

Safety Standards

Camp Akeela employs a staff of Vermont licensed nurses who live at camp and are responsible for dispensing all medication. In addition, the camp works with a nearby doctor who sees campers whenever necessary. Akeela also has relationships with a local dentist and orthodontist.

In the case of an emergency, Akeela is only 5 miles away from Thetford Center's emergency response team. In addition, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center is only 25 minutes away. Akeela’s directors, key staff and many of general staff members are CPR & First Aid certified as well.

Camp Akeela is accredited by the American Camp Association and meets more than 300 safety standards set forth by the organization.