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Camp Discovery

Friends at Camp

Camp Discovery at a Glance

Location: True Friends/Courage North, Lake George, Minn.
Staff-to-Camper Ratio: 1:4
Medical Physical Required: Yes

Cost Per Discovery Camper/Per Session
2019 fees will be announced soon.

Camp Discovery is appropriate for campers needing 1:4 support.

Camp Discovery is ideal for individuals with autism spectrum disorder who will enjoy a summer camp experience with a high degree of structure and small group activities. Campers should be able to positively interact and safely participate within small groups, as this camp provides 1:4 support and does not offer 1:1 support.

Camp Discovery is held at True Friends/Courage North, a beautiful 100-acre facility on Lake George near Bemidji, Minn. Campers will enjoy cabin groups of eight, according to age, gender, and interests. Cabins have restrooms and electricity. Campers enjoy their meals in a dining hall or on an outdoor deck.

Camp activities include swimming, kayaking, canoeing, hiking in Itasca State Park, arts and crafts, nature experiences, recreational games, live action role-playing games, and more. Camp Discovery also includes special evening activities. Campers participate in small group discussions and activities that focus on special interests and making a connection with others. Adults with ASD work as mentors, providing empathetic, positive role modeling throughout the week.

Location
True Friends/Courage North, 37569 N. Courage Dr., Lake George, MN 56458

Camp Discovery Directors

Jill Pring, M.Ed., is an ASD consultant for Northern Lights Special Education Cooperative working with students from birth through age 21 and has 17 years of experience working with individuals on the autism spectrum both as a special education teacher and as a consultant. She also teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses on ASD for the University of Minnesota Duluth. This is her 11th year working with Camp Discovery.

Nichelle Zimmer, M.S., is a school psychologist for the Forest Lake Area School District and has more than 20 years of experience as an Autism Resource Specialist, working at both the elementary and middle school levels. This is her 12th year at Camp Discovery.

Lacey Hendrickx, B.S. Special Education, is a Special Education teacher at Sebeka Public School. She works with elementary students. She also has experience working with high school students. She has eight years of experience working with individuals on the autism spectrum as a special education teacher. This is her 6th year working with Camp Discovery.

Edward Todd Schwartzberg, M. Ed, MT-BC received his BA in Music Education; emphasis in Music Therapy from the University of Kansas and completed his Masters in Education; emphasis in Music Therapy from the University of Minnesota. During the last 19 years, Todd has worked with a variety of individuals with disabilities in a variety of settings, including long term-care centers, schools, and rehabilitation centers. His area of specialization is with children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other intellectual disabilities. As Teaching Specialist and Clinic Coordinator at the University of Minnesota, he teaches classes, conducts research related to social skill, communication skill and working memory skill of individual with ASD, and provides private and group music therapy sessions for children and adults with ASD and other neurological and physical disabilities through the On-Campus Music Therapy Clinic. Schwartzberg has published several articles on the topics of working memory, social and communication skills of children with ASD in peer-reviewed journals and has served on the founding board of directors for Lionsgate Academy and as the Government Relations Chair for the Music Therapy Association of Minnesota. Schwartzberg currently serves as a co-chair of the American Music Therapy Association’s Strategic Priority Committee on Autism Spectrum Disorder, Vice-President Elect of the Great Lakes Region of the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), is a delegate to the Assembly of Delegates for the Great Lakes Region of the AMTA, and is the past president of the Board of Directors of AuSM.

Camp Discovery Session Menus 2019

Coming in spring 2019.

Camper Overview - True Friends/Courage North

Click here to view the Discovery parent overview pdf.

Waivers/Scholarships

Click here for more information.

Please note:

  • Your waiver MAY cover all or part of the camp cost. Please check with your individual fiscal agent/case worker to determine coverage.
  • You are responsible for payment if your Third Party Payer does not cover the cost of camp.
  • All payments must be made by the deadline or your camper will forfeit his/her spot in camp, unless arrangements have been made with the AuSM Camp office.