Camp Summit

Autism Light #410  is Camp Summit.

Camp Summit is a sleep away camp currrently located in Argyle, Texas* that provides programs for people with disabilities of all ages. Camp Summit was founded in 1947 and will be relocating their camp to Paradise, Texas at the end of 2015. Camp Summit is an Autism Light for providing camp programs over a span of six decades for individuals of all ages with disabilities, including autism.

The following is a video about the programs of Camp Summit.

Mission: The mission of Camp Summit is to provide barrier-free outdoor experiences that promote personal growth and foster independence for children and adults with disabilities (Camp Summit Website).

Because of their location many of their campers come from the Dallas/Ft. Worth Area but the camp is open to anyone whose medical condition can be safely managed by the camp staff. Lisa Braziel is the Camp Director.

Serves All Ages: Many camps hold children's programs but Camp Summit is uniquely focused on sereving individuals with disabilities of all ages. "Camp Summit's campers may range in age from six to ninety-nine years old. We have experienced a unique longevity in our client base due to the fact that we have no upper age limits. Many of our campers have been coming to and re-connecting with their camp frieds every year for 20, 30 and even 50 plus years (Camp Summit Website)."

*Future Home: Camp Summit is moving from it's home of 60 years to a 460 acre site in Paradise, Texas. The transition will take place at the end of 2015 and campers should be able to experience the new Camp Summit in the Spring 2016 in Paradise.

The following is a video about the new Camp Summit. To give toward the development of Camp Summit you can participate in their Capital Campaign.

Contact: If you wish to contact Camp Summit their corporate office is at
17210 Campbell Road, Suite 180-W, Dallas, Texas, 75252. Phone: 972-484-8900.

Social Media: You can follow Camp Summit on the following social media areas.

• Facebook Page of Camp Summit
• Twitter @campsummittx

Special thanks to Camp Summit for being an Autism Light. We think it is absolutely wonderful that as a camp they have no upper age limit on access to their programs, and can be there for people with autism throughout their lifespan. While autism may just be one of the several possible disabilities that their campers face, over the years many people with autism have had their life brightened by the light that Camp Summit shines.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Photo: The logo of Camp Summit is used with permission of Camp Summit

Talisman Camp Programs

Autism Light #407 is Talisman Camp Programs.

Talisman Camp Programs are located at 64 Gap Creek Road in Zirconia, North Carolina. They offer camp programs for people affected by autism. Talisman Camp Programs are an Autism Light because of the difference their program has been making in the lives of young people with autism for the past 35 years.

Talisman Programs opened in 1980 and they offer summer camps for young people ages 8 to 22 who have learning disabilities, ADD, ADHD, Asperger's Syndrome, and high-functioning autism. They also offer a year-round boarding school. The camp is accredited by the American Camp Association.

The following is a promotional video about the difference Talisman Programs have made for autism families and individuals.

Vision: Talisman Camp is co-owned by Douglas Smathers, who is the Executive Director and Linda Tatsapaugh, who is the Operations Director. The Talisman Camp articulates their philosophy of camping this way:

At Talisman Programs for children with autism or ADHD, we believe that every child wants to do well, and that every child has unique strengths, struggles and outlooks on life. At our camp, these beliefs require a special outlook and special tools. In order to help all of our campers reach their potential, we must meet them as individuals, and not attempt to fit them into one mold. Therefore, we use a variety of tools to guide our campers as they strive to meet their objectives in socially appropriate and fulfilling ways (TalismanCamps.com, Philosophy of Programs).

Social Media: You can follow Talisman Camp at the following social media areas.

• Facebook Page for Talisman Programs
• Twitter @Talismancamp

Contact Talisman: To learn more about Talisman Programs visit their website at talismancamps.com or call 828.697.6313. You can also email info@talismancamps.com.

Special thanks to Talisman Programs for being an Autism Light. They are an example of how programs in a camp setting can change the life of individuals with autism. We hope that camps like Talisman that are built for campers with autism will thrive and be common and accessible to more and more families around the world.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Izzy Paskowitz

Autism Light #370 is Israel "Izzy" Paskowitz. 

Israel "Izzy" Paskowitz is a professional surfer from San Juan Capistrano, California and an Autism Father. Izzy and his wife Danielle have a daughter named Ella and a son with autism named Isaiah. Izzy Paskowitz and his wife Danielle founded Surfers Healing, a nonprofit surf camp for children with autism over 15 years ago.  Izzy Paskowitz is named the first Autism Light of 2015 for making a difference in thousands of autism families through Surfers Healing. Izzy will also be the first representative of surfing on the Autism Light Sports Page.

Izzy was born as one of nine children in the famous "Doc" Paskowitz family, who in the early 1970's traveled around the United States in their camper and became known as the "First Family of Surfing". The Documentary Surfwise was written in 2007 about Izzy's family.

Gabriel Noble wrote, "Izzy naturally became a pro surfer. In 1983 he beat legends of the sport and soon became a world champion long-boarder. He won national and international events, including Australia's Coke Classic Championship and the Hang Ten Classic. At the height of his career he landed a Nike cover ad standing next to Bo Jackson, Michael Jordan and Andre Agassi (Gabriel Noble, Yahoo News, June 27, 2013)."

Here is a video of Izzy Paskowitz talking about his work at Surfers Healing.

In the above video Izzy Paskowitz says,

I know exactly what I'm supposed to do. I'm supposed to be here to take out children with autism surfing. I couldn't do anything else in autism. I'm not going to find the cure. I don't know to much about autism. But I know now I can take a bunch of autistic kids and we can ride waves and are not going to charge a penny for it (Izzy Paskowitz).

Scratching the Horizon: In 2012, Izzy Pascowitz and Daniel Paisner wrote the book Scratching the Horizon: A Surfing Life. Kristen Herrett wrote an Amazon review describing the book like this:

Izzy Paskowitz didn't think his life story would fill a book. It does more than fill it. It jumps out. Izzy pulls no punches and deals with his life honestly. While most memoirs are sold by their sensationalist revelations, Izzy acknowledges the sensational parts of his life with a shrug as if to say, "I know this sounds foreign to YOU, but it was just my life." The strength of Izzy's voice in the book leave the reader feeling as though he or she is being told the story over dinner and drinks. And it zips by much too quickly. This is not just another sob story memoir, it is an intimate look into a life that is anything but ordinary.

Surfers Healing: Surfers Healing was started in 1998. As a nonprofit surf camp, they depend on donations and volunteers to make this endeavor happen. In 2013, 4,500 kids were given the opportunity to surf at a Surfers Healing day camp. According to the Surfers Healing website their mission is:

Through the transformative experience of surfing, Surfers Healing attains greater mainstream acceptance for both the families of and the kids living with autism. People seem to have a lot of pre-conceived ideas about what kids with autism can or can't do. We're here to change those notions forever. Surfers Healing has spent the last 15 years taking children with autism surfing. Our goal is to help foster the understanding and acceptance of autism. 

Here is a video about Surfers Healing.

Social Media: You can follow Izzy Paskowitz and Surfers Healing on the following social media areas.

• Facebook Page for Izzy Paskowitz
• Facebook Page for Surfers Healing
• Twitter for Izzy Paskowitz @IzzyPaskowitz
• Twitter for Surfer's Healng @SurfersHealing
• YouTube Channel for Surfer's Healing

Special thanks to Izzy Paskowitz for his vision to help start Surfers Healing and his dedication to continue this very memorable camp for many children with autism. Izzy Paskowitz's efforts are an example of what a father can do by using their own talents and professional expertise to make a difference for autism. We wish Izzy and his family all the best. They are a treasure to the autism community.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Camp Rising Sun

---

Autism Light Classic
Updated on June 6, 2015. 

---

Autism Light #65 is Camp Rising Sun.

Camp Rising Sun is a camp program for children with autism in New Mexico. The camp is held at the Manzano Mountain Retreat in the Manzano Moutains southeast of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Camp Rising Sun is an Autism Light because of the helpful way in which they are helping children with autism to have a camping experience.

Camp Rising Sun was formed in 2006 and in 2009 it's programs became part of the autism programs at the University of New Mexico Center for Development and Disability.  The camp is accredited by the American Camp Association.  It's mission involves the three tier approach of providing life-changing camp experiences to children with autism, providing practical training on working with young people with autism to camp staff and volunteers, and giving respite for parents of children with autism.

Here is a video about the programs at Camp Rising Sun.

Camp Rising Sun states on their website that their "Camp activities may include swimming, hiking, sports and games, arts & crafts, theater, photography and video, geo-caching, music, campouts, nature activities, campfires, low and high ropes and challenge course, martial arts, campfire and evening programs, and a variety of other activities."

Here is a video of a Camp Rising Sun Success Story called "Jack Goes to Camp".

Camp Rising Sun has two weeks of camp. One week is a Teen Camp and the other is a Kids Camp. The camp schedule for 2015 is available at the Camp Rising Sun page on the University of New Mexico Website.

Social Media: You can follow Camp Rising Sun on the following social media areas.

• Facebook Page for Camp Rising Sun

Special thanks to Camp Rising Sun for being an Autism Light. They are an excellent example of the partnership between university and nature in shining a light for individuals with autism.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.