Camp Royall — Summer 2026

Sports, Arts, STEM, Outdoors · Moncure, NC · Ages 4–18

Schedule

In 1972, the Autism Society of North Carolina began its residential Summer Camp Program. In its first

year, the Summer Camp Program was held for one week and served six campers. Currently, Summer

Camp consists of 10 one-week sessions held at ASNC’s Camp Royall, near Pittsboro, serving

approximately 320 overnight campers and 160 day campers each summer. Camp Royall offers

programming all year including Spring, Fall & Winter Residential Camps, Day Camps, Mini Camp

weekends, Adult Retreats, Family Fun Days & Family Camping, Field Trips and Social Groups, allowing

us to serve close to 2,000 individuals with autism and their families each year.

Camp Royall was developed to provide a recreational and therapeutic camping experience for

individuals on the autism spectrum. Campers aged 4 years and up, on various levels of autism spectrum,

come from all parts of North Carolina.

The philosophy of our program is to give our campers a typical camp experience, in a structured and

specialized way to meet their needs, with an emphasis on the campers' enjoyment. Activities are

designed to encourage appropriate behavioral, social, and recreational development while the camper

is away from home. Further, the camp provides respite for families while their campers are at camp.

Goals of Camp Royall

• Recreation Experience: Over the years, Camp Royall has grown tremendously in the services it

provides for children and adults with autism and their families. The primary focus of camp

continues to be to provide recreational experiences in a camp setting.

• Therapeutic and Educational Experience: Camp also provides a therapeutic and educational

experience for our campers. Campers are given the opportunity to practice and improve

existing skills in self-help, communication, social behavior, and independence, as well as learn

new skills and try new activities.

• Respite for Families: The majority of our campers reside at home with their families. For most

of these families, camp is the only respite they have all year. Raising a child with autism requires

a fantastic amount of physical and emotional energy, attention and love. Parents and siblings

of an individual with autism need and deserve time just for themselves. Many families plan their

vacation during the time their child is attending camp.

• Educational Training for Professionals in Autism and Related Fields: Camp is also a valuable

training experience for college students interested in a career in Special Education, Psychology,

Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy and other Human Services. Summer staff receive an

intensive week-long, hands-on training session. Course credit is available at most colleges and

universities for working in the Summer Camp Program.

• Employment Opportunities for Adults with Autism: For the past few years, 5-10 adults with

autism have worked at camp performing jobs ranging from kitchen staff to counselors. Both full

and part-time summer work has been provided; some volunteer, but most receive competitive

pay.

• Model for Re…