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McCant's Camp Inspire

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McCANTS – CAMP INSPIRE is designed to accommodate children with disabilities, aged 6 – 12  and their 6 – 12 year-old siblings. Our specially trained staff can accommodate campers with a wide range of special needs. However, to ensure that this experience will be enjoyable for all campers, a home-visit will be conducted by the director(s) of the camp. We reserve the right to deny any camper if severe medical or behavioral challenges are present. If we find that we are unable to meet the needs of your camper, we will contact you as soon as possible.

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Eligibility Criteria includes:

  • Individuals with an Autism Diagnosis.  (Other diagnoses will be considered, too).

  • Individuals who have had little to no opportunity to attend an organized camp.

  • Individuals who will enjoy attending camp with their siblings and peers.

Open Application Period:

Camp application and registration fees must be received by TBD.

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Camp tuition and completed Physician’s Medical Form must be received by TBD.

Camp Application Process:

To ensure a positive and safe environment, we have developed an easy, but comprehensive application process. CLICK TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION.

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The steps are as follows:

  1.  Camp Application & Nonrefundable Registration Fee. The camper’s parent/guardian must complete the application paperwork, submit the$25 nonrefundable registration fee / per family (checks made out to: Chattanooga Autism Center), and mail or hand-deliver the application and fee to: McCants – Camp Inspire, Chattanooga Autism Center, 1400 McCallie Avenue, Suite 100, Chattanooga, TN. 37404.

  2. Physician Medical Form. The camper’s medical form should be completed by the camper’s physician. The form can be returned with the camper’s application or separately by mail to:  McCants – Camp Inspire, Chattanooga Autism Center, 1400 McCallie Avenue, Suite 100, Chattanooga, TN. 37404.

  3. Camper Visit. The camper and family will be visited by one of the camp directors. This will allow both the family and camper to become acquainted, so the camp experience will go smoothly.

  4. Camp Acceptance Letter. The camper will receive a camp acceptance letter once all the above steps are completed and the staff has met and agreed that the camper’s disabilities can be properly managed throughout the camping experience. The camp’s tuition of $200 / per child, will be due after the acceptance letter is received by the camper’s parent and before the camp tuition deadline expires. The camp tuition of $200 should be mailed or hand-delivered to: McCants – Camp Inspire, Chattanooga Autism Center, 1400 McCallie Avenue, Suite 100, Chattanooga, TN. 37404.

 

Spaces are limited. Camp applications will be taken on a first come, first serve basis.

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Information concerning possible financial aid/scholarship is available upon request. Requests can be made by email toChattanoogaAutismCenter@gmail.com.

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ATTENTION:  To apply for the Family Support Program Grant, please apply as soon as possible, as funds are limited.   You may visit the website for more information.  To apply, click this link for the online application or email: familysupport@orangegrove.org  or call:  423-664-5120.

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Georgia Residents…ATTENTION:   Financial Support for Georgia Residents seeking Respite….Call the Regional Center at (770) 387-5440 and ask for Family Support or Respite Money. This is money for those on the waiting list who have not been approved for a waiver yet.   Tell the Region Case Manager that your need for a waiver has increased now that your child has aged-out of the daycare environment and you strongly request that they be put on the “short-term planning list”.  If your child has any behavior issues that make it difficult to find a “regular” caregiver, I would emphasize that as well.

Click the "Register" image to download the application.

If your camper is not ready to spend the night away from home,  he/she can still attend the camp through the “Day camp only option”.  For more information, please click this link:

DAY CAMP OPTION ONLY – APPLICATION DOWNLOAD

STAFF:

Jacinta McGavock, Ed.D  – Camp Director.  State Certified Teacher in Tennessee and Georgia.  15 years of teaching experience and administrative experience in both Georgia and Tennessee public schools.  Mother of 9 year old son with Autism.

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Julia Hill, Ed.S – Camp Director.  State Certified Teacher.  20 years of teaching experience.  3 years of summer camp experience as camp director.

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Alyce Benson, MS – Camp Consultant.  A Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 18 years experience working with adults, adolescents, and children with developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health disorders.

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Timothy Davis, MD. – Camp Consultant.  Dr. Davis is a Pediatrician with Galen North Pediatrics.  Dr. Davis has extensive experience as an emergency room physician and pediatrician.

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Laura Forkum, PhD, BCBA-D. – Camp Consultant. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst with experience working with children with autism and related disabilities in home, clinic, and school setting with a focus on early intervention.

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Janice Jones, PT – Camp Consultant.  Owner of Pediatrics Plus with experience working with children with autism and other disabilities via physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy.

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Cheryl Ngoto, Ed.D – Special Education Consultant.  20 years of teaching experience in special education classrooms and administrative experience as special education central office coordinator.

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Kenneth Pittman, MD – Camp Consultant.  Dr. Pittman is a Pediatric / Adolescent Psychiatrist at Agape Youth Behavioral Health and a Board Member of the Chattanooga Autism Center.

Camp Counselors/Activity Leaders:

Our camp counselors and activity leaders are well-trained, professional, and trusted individuals who have years of experience working with special needs children.  We recruit persons with whom your child has probably already met or worked with… at the Chattanooga Autism Center, at Pediatrics Plus, at Buddy Break, at Chattanooga Parks & Recreation (TOPSoccer), in Hamilton County Schools, at Rick Hall Karate, etc.   Rest assured, your child(ren) will be in good hands and will have a great time, too.

Camp Activities:

Campers can expect to participate in a wide range of activities, such as:

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Making s’mores with the Trail Life Scouts

Nature Walks with Chattanooga Park Rangers

Outdoor sports with Chattanooga Parks & Recreation Dept. (TOPSoccer)

Balloon Art Class with Mrs. Valerie (Hamilton County Schools’ Special Education Bus Driver)

Karate with Grandmaster Rick Hall of Rick Hall Karate

Arts N Crafts with Pediatric Plus Therapists

Lego Time

Board games

Movie Time

Children’s Church Activity Time

SPONSORS:

A & M HOME REPAIRS COMPANY

AGAPE YOUTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES

AUTISM & BEHAVIOR SERVICES

CHATTANOOGA THERAPEUTIC RECREATIONAL SERVICES

COVENANT KEYPERS, INC.

CREATIVE EDUCATIONAL SOLUTIONS, INC.

GALEN NORTH PEDIATRICS

J & D ENTERTAINMENT AND BALLOONS

KFC / LJS – 3RD STREET LOCATION

LITTLE CAESARS – HWY 58 LOCATION

McOMIE FAMILY DENTISTRY

PEDIATRIC PLUS

RICK HALL’S TKD PLUS

KRYSTAL’S – SHALLOWFORD ROAD LOCATION

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

  • Kendra Sewell, Camp Director.  Matthew’s Time (Weekend Respite Camp) and Camp Hawkins (Summer Respite Camp).  Atlanta, GA.  

  • Trecia Smith for your financial donation.

  • Sandy Cranshaw for your financial donation.

  • John & Jeanette Adams for your financial donation.

  • Jerel McCants for your financial donation.

  • Susie Smith for your financial donation

  • JoAlveta Allen for your financial donation.

  • Gena Garcia for your financial donation.

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