Camp Yakety Yak (CYY) is an inclusive day camp for youth ages 5–22 experiencing physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities (e.g., ADHD, Autism), and their typically developing siblings.

 

1. Camp Structure

Daily activities include large and small group experiences in building, science, art, wellness, and team games as well as beloved traditions like daily talent show and dance party. Curriculum is modified for accessibility. Staff, including college and graduate students and teen volunteers helping as team assistants and one-to-one assistants. 

 

2. Camp Staff 

CYY is led by licensed, professional staff (e.g., Speech-Language Pathologists, Special Education Teachers, Nurses, Occupational, Physical Therapists). Professional staff train and supervise seasonal support staff, university students and high school volunteers. 

CYY partners with Portland State and other local Universities and Colleges to supervise Speech Language Pathology graduate students earning clinical hours. Occupational Therapy undergraduate students serve as One-to-One Assistants assigned to youth with mobility needs. Undergraduate students and high school students serve camp as Interns and are assigned as Team Leaders or to other camp jobs.

Youth requiring one-to-one support will be assigned an Assistant as determined by the Camp Director. 

• Assistants are trained (10–20 hours) university students and high school volunteers and generally serve one week. Youth enrolled for more than one week will likely have a different Assistant every week.

• Professional staff do not serve as One-to-One Assistants.

• Undergraduate and graduate students serve as One-to-One Assistants under clinical supervision.

• Guardians may send Personal Support Workers, Direct Support Workers or Medical Aides to attend with their youth with the approval of the Camp Director and if they pass the CYY background check. Guardians may fill these roles with approval from the Camp Director.

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3. Admission & Limitations

Registration does not guarantee admission. The Camp Director and Program Coordinators review each application. They will reach out via email to request additional information or set up a personal phone call with Guardians. CYY takes great care through our lengthy admissions process to ensure we can meet the needs of admitted youth. CYY will not admit youth we cannot serve through our current model. 

At CYY we deeply care about youth and families experiencing disabilities. We recognize and communicate our limitations up front and aim to set clear expectations to avoid disappointment and inconvenience to the youth and families we serve. 

CYY limitations are NOT a reflection of individual youth. Limitations are based on current program structure, facilities layout, and staffing levels. 

CYY cannot currently support:

• Youth with medical needs beyond the scope of care the Camp Nurse can provide. 

• Youth who cannot engage in adult-led activities most of the time with one-to-one support and breaks as needed. 

• Youth who regularly experience aggressive symptoms, physical or verbal, as part of their disability. 

• Youth with a history of inappropriate physical boundaries.

 

4. Support Strategies

CYY uses support strategies informed by educational neuroscience, such as:

• Regulated, emotionally mature staff

• Positive orientation and tone

• Patience and flexibility

• Relationship building

• Modeling lagging emotional skills 

• Sensory tools, quiet space, breaks (planned or as needed)

• Redirection 

• Collaborative Problem Solving

• Group and individual incentives, leadership roles

• One-on-one engagement 

• Physical comfort–holding hands or side hugs

• Comfort items

• Individual incentive plans and screen breaks–only when communicated with Guardians

 

5. Emotional Support Procedures

Step 1. Many youth who attend CYY typically experience big emotions in response to challenges due to lagging emotional skills. When youth experience big emotions at camp, CYY staff and One-to-One Assistants use the support strategies listed above to help them navigate challenges. Big emotions are expected and opportunities for learning and growth. 

Step 2. If staff and One-to-One Assistants are not able to successfully help youth regulate their emotional state after trying two strategies, staff and One-to-One Assistants disengage and the Camper Support Team is engaged. 

Step 3. The Camper Support Team (CST) consists of five trained staff, available at all times to provide youth with emotional and sensory support. When CST is engaged, youth deescalate 99% of the time with skilled support. Incidents of emotional dysregulation are expected. If CST responds they will document any intervention, but won’t engage Guardians if youth are able to recover and feel safe at camp. 

Step 4: If youth are not able to recover their emotional state after one hour with CST support, Guardian will be contacted by phone to pick up youth to regulate at home with family support. The Camp Director will call home after 5pm to discuss strategies to support youth to feel safe and comfortable at camp. 

Step 5. Continued escalation, If youth continues to experience emotional dysregulation while employing strategies as planned with Guardian with CST support, the Camp Director will contact Guardian by phone after 5pm and will set a timeline for youth to become comfortable at camp. 

Step 7: If support strategies are not successful, and youth continue to feel uncomfortable at camp, the Camp Director will contact Guardian and the youth may be withdrawn for the remainder of the week. 

Emergency Safety Support is provided by CST under the supervision of the Camp Director and/or Program Coordinators:

• Room Clear: Only if safety is at risk; Guardians will be contacted for pick up. 

• Physical Restraint: Only by trained staff (MANDT, OIS, ProAct, etc.). 

Guardian is contacted immediately following all emergency safety support. Guardian is required to come immediately to camp to help youth transition home to recover for the remainder of the day. The Camp Director will call the Guardian after 5pm to further debrief the incident, discuss strategies, and set a timeline for youth to become comfortable at camp. 

All support provided to youth and families is done so with compassion and nonjudgement. Your feedback is welcome and appreciated as an opportunity for growth. 

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6. Health & Safety

Illness Protocols:

Keep youth home if symptoms occur within 24 hours: fever, chills, cough, headache, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, sore throat, body aches, congestion/runny nose (unless allergies).

If symptoms arise at camp, guardians will be contacted for immediate pick-up.

Basic first aid is provided. For serious injuries or head impacts, youth will see the Camp Nurse and parents will be notified. Emergency services will be activated as needed.

Staff Safety Protocols:

• All 18+ staff, volunteers, and participants pass criminal background checks.

• All staff complete mandatory training before interacting with youth.

• Youth are always supervised and never alone with only one staff member.

• Bathroom assistance is provided when youth has a toileting protocol in place. 

Authorized Pick-Up:

Only pre-approved individuals with photo ID may pick up youth. To add/remove authorized persons after the registration process please email Heather@campyaketyyak.org.

Guardians:

May be on site only with approval from the Camp Directors.

Electronic Signature – Health & Safety Policies:

 

7. Food Safety & Dietary Restrictions

CYY is NUT-FREE. Do not send items containing nuts or nut butter. Items with nuts will be discarded and replaced with a healthy alternative.

If youth forgets lunch/snacks, the office will contact guardians; limited emergency food options may be provided if safe for the youth.

 

8. Privacy & Record Handling

Health information is stored securely and shared only on a need-to-know basis. Digital records are destroyed securely; paper records are shredded at the end of summer.

 

9. Medical Release

CYY is not a medical provider and does not bill insurance. Parents/guardians are responsible for medical costs. By signing, you authorize CYY to seek medical care for your youth and agree youth may receive basic first aid.

Electronic Signature – Medical Release:

 

10. Payments, Tuition, Cancellation & Transfers

• A $100 weekly deposit is due at the time of registration. Your form of payment will not be charged until your registration application has been reviewed and accepted.

• Full tuition is due by June 1

• Deposit refundable until May 1 

• Refunds are available through May 31, less weekly deposit/s

• After June 1: 50% tuition refund, less weekly deposit/s

• After July 1: No refunds

• Transfers to other weeks allowed before June 10 if space is available.

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11. Photo & Video Release

CYY may use photos/videos for staff training and promotion. No personal information is attached without consent. Youth in foster care may be excluded due to safety.

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Thank you for your understanding of these policies.

Please email us with any questions or concerns you may have to Monica@campyaketyyak.org. 

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