Camp Encourage

01/16/2026

New dates have been added for 2026 and the first one is THIS Sunday, January 18th!

Make sure to use code: SS2026 at checkout for discounted tickets!

A big thank you to Building Hope for Autism and Science City at Union Station for recognizing and providing sensory friendly activities for those who need it.

Sensory Sunday returns to Science City and the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium starting THIS SUNDAY, January 18, presented by Building Hope for Autism.

Sensory Sunday offers a special sensory-friendly Science City experience prior to our public opening and a sensory-friendly showing of our popular planetarium show, Hazelnuts: In Search of the Perfect Planet.

Sensory Sunday takes place on each of the following dates:
• January 18
• March 15
• May 17
• July 19
• September 20
• November 15

SENSORY SUNDAY AT SCIENCE CITY:

Science City's Sensory Sunday takes place from 10am to 11:30am on each date listed. This special time at Science City is aimed at providing a welcoming space for guests on the Autism spectrum and those with sensory sensitivities. Sound effects are turned off, and there are minimal lighting effects. Special sensory-friendly activities are available, and there are designated quiet areas. At 11:30am, our staff begins turning on Science City's regular noises, lights, and attractions, ready for opening to the general public at 12:00pm. Those attending in the morning will be welcome to stay throughout the day until close at 5:00pm.

Science City standard admission rates apply, and tickets are $17 for General Admission, or free for Union Station Members.

To purchase Science City Sensory Sunday tickets, visit >> https://bit.ly/SensorySundayScienceCity

SENSORY SUNDAY AT THE ARVIN GOTTLIEB PLANETARIUM:

Enhance your Sensory Sunday visit to Science City with a special showing of our popular planetarium show Hazelnuts: In Search of the Perfect Planet. Unlike normal planetarium showings, we're offering extra accommodations for visitors with special sensory needs, including playing the show at a much lower volume than usual, turning on some soft lights to keep the seating area from getting too dark, and offering re-entry if guests need to take a break from the show for a few moments.
The 25-minute show will be presented in full, featuring the grand adventure of two squirrels named Nino and Lilli, as they search for hazelnuts among the stars and learn about life in our Solar System!

Featured at 11am on Sunday, January 18.

Tickets are $8 for General Admission, $5 for Union Station Members.

To purchase tickets for this special planetarium show, visit >> https://bit.ly/HazelnutsSensorySunday

01/16/2026

Are you a parent thinking about sending your child to camp this year'?

Listen as this parent reflects on his family's experiences.

https://youtu.be/sbBuDjOORrE?si=jNlwn3fjldys0dHr

Thank you to Tyler Wirken of Wirken Media and Wirken Photography for capturing these memories and for producing this media piece.

01/14/2026

👀 You WON'T want to miss! 👀

Plan to join us Saturday, January 31st from 10 to noon for "Through Our Eyes: A Panel of Autistic Adults," featuring amazing individuals that will share the real and raw truth of their life on the spectrum. This event is FREE, is open to all, and is sure to be informative and heartwarming! Space is limited so be sure to register to secure your spot. Registration will remain open until capacity is reached.

For details and to register, visit: https://campencourage.org/event/through-our-eyes-2026

01/14/2026

As our nonprofit continues to grow this year, so does the number of campers and families we can serve. Growth means expanded support and bigger dreams—but it also means a greater need for compassionate, committed volunteers.

Simply put, we can’t do this without you. 🫵🏼

So as you reflect on your goals for the year ahead, we invite you to make volunteering part of your 2026 story. Whether you can give a little time or a lot, your impact will be felt in ways that last far beyond camp.

For a description of opportunities and a link to the volunteer application, visit https://campencourage.org/volunteer.

01/11/2026

Grateful for these volunteers gathered in our office today! Be watching your mail for the postcards they are sending your way! 💌

01/10/2026

In an effort to remain connected year-round, we host several FREE Camp Family Events. Each provides a welcoming, understanding, and safe environment where we gather, connect, grow, are encouraged, and learn from one another. These free events provide connection opportunities for CURRENT and POTENTIAL:

💚 campers and their loved ones,
💛 staff and volunteers, and
🧡 supporters.

All Camp Family Events are scheduled for 2026 and we have added some new ones! For details and the dates, visit https://campencourage.org/campfamilyevents/!

01/09/2026

Interested in a free lunch this Sunday (paired with some fun times)? If you are a current or interested volunteer of Camp Encourage, we'd love to have you join us at our Westport office on January 11th from 1:00 to 3:00pm.

Enjoy some (free!) yummy snacks, good company, and good conversation, all while helping us prep postcards for our campers and fellow volunteers! Have a friend who might be interested in joining us as a volunteer in 2026? Bring them along for an extra prize!

RSVP: https://forms.gle/iL16ttndSaPnNc4U9

01/08/2026

How sweet is this?! And we agree, 100%. Group time is such a fun way to create connections and get to know everyone staying in your cabin!

01/06/2026

Immense thanks to those that remembered our campers and our mission during the 2025 year end giving season! From the mouths of our parents:

"(My son) has grown so much since camp! He is more independent, he is very confident since camp, too. He has always been a very “clingy” kiddo but he has realized he doesn’t need mom and dad all the time. He’s been figuring out things on his own. He also is proud of his autism for the first time. He has really struggled with self esteem since he was very young and now he says he wouldn’t cure his own autism because it’s part of who he is and what makes him special. I cannot stress enough how amazing that is to hear."

"I can’t thank you enough for everything and everyone there. My heart is so full looking through the pictures and seeing (my son) try new things and open his bubble, but also the joy on all the camper’s faces is just so amazing. Thank you!"

This beautiful feedback could not happen without YOU. YOU help to provide opportunities to gain confidence, find belonging, tap into strengths, and create connections, Thanks to you, ✍🏽 FUTURES ARE REWRITTEN.

01/05/2026

Join us for a powerful and honest conversation led by an incredible panel of autistic adults sharing the real and raw truths of life on the autism spectrum. From growing up autistic to relationships, work life, and everything in between—this is an opportunity to listen, learn, and connect.

🗓 Saturday, January 31, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Kauffman Foundation Conference Center: 4801 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO
💙 Free to attend thanks to the generosity of our supporters
💚 To register, be sure to register at https://campencourage.org/event/through-our-eyes-2026/.

01/04/2026

Attention all current and interested volunteers! Join us at our Westport office on January 11th from 1:00 to 3:00pm.

Enjoy some (free!) yummy snacks, good company, and good conversation, all while helping us prep postcards for our campers and fellow volunteers! Have a friend who might be interested in joining us as a volunteer in 2026? Bring them along for an extra prize!

RSVP: https://forms.gle/iL16ttndSaPnNc4U9

01/03/2026

LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN. 😊

We have been working with our software company on improving the reported glitches in the camper application and appreciate everyone's patience.

We are happy to report that it seems to be moving more smoothly and the applications are once again available online.

That said, it does still seem to be moving rather slowly. 🐢

Here are some tips that have proven to help:
💻 Utilize a browser other than Google Chrome (Microsoft Edge, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, etc.).
🧹 Clear your cache.
⭕️ This one is crucial! Be very patient as you attempt to “SAVE" each page of the application. Clicking “NEXT” too soon (or repeatedly) will likely trigger an error message. It is taking quite a while to "think" and actually save before progressing to the next page. Before clicking "NEXT, select "SAVE," give the system some "wait time" as the small circle spins. 😉 Once it stops spinning, click "NEXT."

A few additional items:
✅ Be sure you submit all required forms, navigating through all buttons and until it is truly completed / processed. You will receive an email from Aimee once your application has been fully submitted.
⭐️ If you're not able to pay tuition in full, please keep in mind that once your camper is confirmed to attend, it will be mandatory that you include documentation of the previous year's tax return in the Uploads section of your application. The tuition will remain due in full until the form is received. With funding being limited, please be sure to submit your tax return information as soon as feasible.