Buddies Intensive Camper Program
For adolescents with special needs, ages 12-15
$680/week
Important Notice! In an effort to keep the integrity and effectiveness of our special programs such as Special Needs Campers (40), Buddies Intensive (8), Junior Camp Counselors (12), and Yak Apprentice (12) there will be a cap for participants each week, noted in parentheses. Once the cap is reached, a wait list will be generated. Please don’t wait to register because these programs fill up fast!
Registration Opens April 17th at Noon
Buddies Intensive Camper Program
For adolescents with special needs, ages 12-15
$680/week
Important Notice! In an effort to keep the integrity and effectiveness of our special programs such as Special Needs Campers (40), Buddies Intensive (8), Junior Camp Counselors (12), and Yak Apprentice (12) there will be a cap for participants each week, noted in parentheses. Once the cap is reached, a wait list will be generated. Please don’t wait to register because these programs fill up fast!
Registration Opens April 17th at Noon
Teaching the Language of Friendship
Camp Yakety Yak is an inclusive social skills day camp supporting friendship development for children with special needs, ages 5-15, & social skills
in the workplace instruction for young adults ages 16-22.
CYY 2023 Location:
40 McNary Parkway
Lake Oswego
Our 2023 Camp Dates & Themes
July 10-July 14
Summer Scientists
Do you like science? If so, please consider joining us for Summer Scientists Week!.
Join us as we head into the Camp Yakety Yak Science Lab to gather and use evidence to make hypotheses, gain and share your knowledge of what you learn. Summer Scientists Week is all about arts, science, curiosity, creation, and lots of exciting hands-on activities. We will also explore indoor and outdoor games, as well as important friendship promoting curriculum unique to Camp Yakety Yak!
July 17-July 21
Mysteries, Myths, & Legends
Are you interested in BigFoot? The Loch Ness Monster? Kings and Queens from distant lands?
Or maybe simply discover what Yetis, unicorns, and dragons all have in common. We will spend this mythical and mysterious week looking into the stories surrounding these characters, both real and fictional. We will also explore indoor and outdoor games, as well as important friendship promoting curriculum unique to Camp Yakety Yak!
July 24-July 28
Under the Sea
The Oregon Coast may be an hour away, but with a little creativity and imagination you can have lots of fun discovering Under the Sea. So get ready for a deep-sea adventure! Campers will dive into the amazing world of marine life while creating ocean themed art and other projects. We will create mixed media art that will be fun and engaging as we learn about ocean habitats. We will also explore indoor and outdoor games, as well as important friendship promoting curriculum unique to Camp Yakety Yak!
July 31-August 4
Animal Planet
Calling all animal lovers! If you love animals, please consider joining us for a week exploring the animal planet! Come join us as we explore animals all around the world. We will discover their habitats and learn about their adaptations that help them survive. We also explore wildlife by going on hikes, scavenger hunts, and engage in craft projects such as making your own animal mask and putting on an animal puppet show during our daily talent show. We also anticipate welcoming some very special guests to camp this week! Come and explore indoor and outdoor games, as well as important friendship promoting curriculum unique to Camp Yakety Yak!
Camp Yakety Yak is Unlike Any Other Camp in the State of Oregon!
Camp Yakety Yak (CYY) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to help children with special needs (e.g., Autism, ADHD, Intellectual Disability) grow socially and emotionally by improving their communication skills. The camp's educational mission is two-fold:
1) provide instruction in social & emotional skills to children with special needs & their siblings to support friendship development in a day camp setting;
2) provide an opportunity for future professionals in educational and therapeutic fields to gain knowledge and hands-on experience in working with children with special needs.
Eighty percent of our staff members are students from local universities and high schools who receive 10-30 hours of training and ongoing supervision by our professional faculty.
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We offer a high camper to staff/volunteer ratio and provide 1:1 support to campers that have higher needs.
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Intensive practice in social skills (5 hours a day, 5 days a week) with an emphasis on school, home, and community success.
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Multi-disciplinary team of professional supervisors and consultants from general & special education, speech pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, behavior analysis, counseling, and nursing
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Highly trained college-level staff with university partnerships for speech pathology and occupational therapy. We are a "teaching camp" similar to a "teaching hospital." Mature teen volunteers round out our staff and bring the fun element.
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Service to the whole family in our "Reverse Inclusion" model featuring support of neurotypical siblings who attend right along with their brothers, sisters, and friends with special needs
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Weekly "Caregiver Connection" Parent Support Group Meetings facilitated by CYY Parent Advisory Board Members, with an active Facebook page fostering parent connection throughout the year!
Supporting Camp Yakety Yak is Easy!
