At the KOC, we serve visitors through 3 different streams; Family Connections, Clinical Supports, and Group Adventures. Through Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 we have vacancy available in our Group Adventures and Clinical Supports.
Family Connections brings neurodivergent children, youth, siblings, and families together through the adventure, friendship, and spirit of camp. Whether attending independently, with siblings, or alongside family members, participants build confidence, life skills, meaningful relationships, and a strong sense of belonging through outdoor experiences, shared challenges, and fun camp traditions. From campfires and waterfront adventures to peer connections and family experiences, Family Connections creates opportunities for growth, support, and lasting memories in a welcoming and inclusive camp community.
Family Connections Programs:
Autism Family Camp
Family Respite Camp Experience
Seasonal Socials
Girls Group
Boys Club
Quest Summer Camp
Life Skills Program
Siblings Who Care
Sibling Camp
With a primary focus on serving families with a child on the autism spectrum, these programs have been designed to be a family-centered recreational and respite offering. All of our Family Connection programs are created to encourage meaningful experiences that families can carry forward into daily life back home.
Seasonal Social (OAP Reimbursable)
These programs are fun camp programs with an intentional, observable, and documented focus on social skill development. Designed for the whole family, the program creates a supportive, inclusive, and affirming camp environment for families with autistic children. Our skilled Outdoor Program Facilitators help foster a safe, welcoming, and engaging space where children, parents, and caregivers can explore, participate, and connect in ways that feel meaningful for their family. Throughout the family option periods, families have opportunities to enjoy shared activities, strengthen relationships, build confidence, and try new experiences together.
The KOC provides clinical oversight related to specific social skill domains to support specific learning and individual goals that each family sets prior to the program. The expenses for the program are recoverable for eligible families through the Ontario Autism Program. These are a mix of 3 day and 4-day camps!
Available Dates – Register via our registration link:
Summer Vacancy
August 28-30
Fall Vacancy
September 11-13
September 25-27
October 16-18
October 19-21
October 23-25
Winter – Registration Opening Soon!
January 29-31
February 12-15
March 15-18
March 18-21
Autism Family Camp
This program is one of the original programs offered under our Family Connections stream. Our Family Camp program welcomes the whole family into a supportive, inclusive, and affirming environment where every family can participate in ways that work best for them. This shared family experience is designed for parents and caregivers to participate alongside their children, creating opportunities to connect, learn, and enjoy camp together. Family Camp offers a meaningful opportunity for families to connect, relax, and enjoy a shared vacation experience alongside other families who have at least one child with an autism diagnosis. Throughout camp, KOC staff offer a range of accessible and engaging activities, including high ropes and rock wall, archery, guided hikes, family game time, arts and crafts, and seasonal waterfront activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, pontoon boat rides, fishing, and sandcastle building. It is a welcoming space to make memories, build connections, and enjoy time together as a family.
Available Dates – Register via our registration link:
Summer Vacancy
August 4-7
Information on each of the KOC’s Autism Programs, and the links to register are below. If you have any questions, please contact our office by calling 1-705-320-0045 or by emailing info@koc.on.ca.
Autism Family Camp
Family Camp at Kinark Outdoor Centre (KOC) invites families to pack their sense of adventure and settle into a fun, inclusive, and supportive camp experience made for parents, caregivers, and children to enjoy together. Created for families with at least one child with an autism diagnosis, the program offers time to connect, unwind, and make lasting camp memories alongside other families.
Families can jump into a full camp lineup of accessible activities, including high ropes, climbing wall, archery, hiking, arts and crafts, family games, and seasonal waterfront fun like swimming, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and pontoon boat rides. It’s a warm, welcoming place to try something new, cheer each other on, share a few laughs, and enjoy quality time together in the great outdoors.
IDEAL FOR:
Families with OAP funding.
SEASON:
Offered during the summer months into early fall, from June to October.
If you have any questions, please contact our Program Supervisor, Emmi at emmi.timmermans@kinark.on.ca or by calling 705-320-0045.
Family Respite Camp Experience
During Autism Family Camp, families may have the chance to join one or two scheduled respite programs—giving parents and caregivers a well-earned time to rest and recharge while children head off for supported camp fun in a safe, welcoming environment.
These short respite opportunities are planned with predictable routines, sensory-aware activities, and gentle transitions so children can explore camp at their own pace, try new things, build confidence, and feel like part of the camp crew.
IDEAL FOR:
Families with OAP funding, as an addition to Autism Family Camp.
SEASON:
Offered during the summer months into early fall, from June to October.
Girls Group
Girls Group is a supportive camp-based program for neurodivergent students in Grades 4 to 8, where campers can gather, explore, and grow together. Throughout the program, campers take part in outdoor adventures, creative camp projects, games, shared cabin-style responsibilities, and friendship-building moments in a welcoming group setting.
With predictable routines, flexible participation, supported transitions, and caring staff cheering them on, campers can build confidence, independence, self-advocacy, practical life skills, and positive peer connections while soaking up the fun, fresh air, teamwork, and camp spirit of the experience.
IDEAL FOR:
Grade 4 to 8 girls that are neurodivergent.
SEASON:
Offered during the summer months into early fall, from June to October.
Boys Club
Boys Club is a camp-based program for neurodivergent boys in Grades 4 to 8, where campers can dive into outdoor adventure, hands-on activities, team challenges, and plenty of classic camp fun. Along the way, campers build confidence, independence, friendships, and practical life skills in a supportive, inclusive environment where everyone has a place around the campfire.
With predictable routines, flexible participation, supported transitions, and caring staff cheering them on, campers can stretch their skills, try new things, practice self-advocacy, and make positive peer connections while soaking up the fresh air, teamwork, laughter, and camp spirit of the experience.
IDEAL FOR:
Grade 4 to 8 boys that are neurodivergent.
SEASON:
Offered during the summer months into early fall, from June to October.
Quest Summer Camp
Kinark Summer Camp offers Grade 8 to 12+ campers with autism and other neurodivergent diagnoses an exciting, supportive camp experience built around adventure, friendship, leadership, and personal growth. Through outdoor games, hiking, nature exploration, team challenges, hands-on projects, campfire programs, and shared camp traditions, campers can stretch their independence, build confidence, strengthen social skills, and enjoy classic summer camp fun alongside their peers.
With caring staff, predictable routines, flexible participation options, and plenty of encouragement from the camp team, campers are supported to try new things, take on age-appropriate challenges, develop positive peer connections, and create lasting summer memories around the trail, the activity field, and the campfire.
Life Skills Program
The Life Skills Program helps youth build confidence, independence, and practical everyday skills through hands-on, camp-style learning in a supportive environment. Participants roll up their sleeves and practice important life skills such as cooking, meal planning, laundry, organization, budgeting, and personal care, while building communication, problem-solving, and self-advocacy skills through teamwork, encouragement, and a little camp spirit.
Siblings Who Care
Siblings Who Care is a supportive summer camp program for children and youth who have a sibling on the autism spectrum. Through trail adventures, camp games, creative projects, team challenges, and guided circle-time discussions, participants connect with peers who share similar experiences while building confidence, resilience, friendships, and a strong sense of camp community.
Campers explore topics such as self-care, communication, family relationships, and emotional well-being in a fun, welcoming camp environment filled with fresh air, shared stories, encouragement, belonging, understanding, and plenty of camp spirit.
Siblings Camp
Sibling Camp brings siblings together for adventure, connection, and fun! Through games, outdoor activities, creative projects and team challenges, campers build confidence, communication skills, empathy, and stronger sibling relationships.
In a welcoming and inclusive environment, campers celebrate their unique strengths, make lasting memories, and deepen their sense of belonging within their families and community.
