The Autism Camp Tweed/Byron Hinterland program runs over 4 days and 5 nights. It is a rainforest/mountain location. The program taps into existing regional group recreation/camp facilities with safety, privacy, autonomy and low sensory input as priorities. In the Tweed/Byron Hinterland we partner with Midginbil Eco Resort, a family owned and operated 400 acre farm property near Uki whose facilities include:

• 9 large family rooms with ensuite (whole family sharing one room); and

• access to a range of onsite outdoor and adventure activities and facilities.
  

  We add to these recreation facilities:

• an Autism Camp Australia (ACA) proprioceptive sensory space; and

• an ACA workshop space.

If a single family room style of accommodation does not work for your family please consider our Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia locations where accommodation is split across two adjoining rooms.

All activities take place at the Autism Camp Tweed/Byron Hinterland location at Midginbil.

Accommodation, Catering and Transport

• Five nights in a family room sleeping up to six people in a double bed and single beds or bunks including bed linen, doona’s, pillows and one towel per person.

• 24hr access to lounge room facilities, with tv, dvd’s and tea/coffee facilities

• A get-to-know first arvo/eve followed by four full days of activities.

• A fully catered camp (note catered camps are offered in NSW, VIC and WA - this is different to our QLD camp which is mostly self-catered)

• Lots of time to socialise with the other families attending.

• Airport transfers if required from Coolangatta Airport only. Transfer schedules are subject to arrival times of other families. Although we do recommend you hire a car during your stay to make the most of our beautiful region on your days off.

Our Team

• Camp Leader (on call 24/7 for the duration of your stay)

• Sibling Leader (8.30am-4pm every day)

• Lead Carers x 2 (8.30am-4pm every day)

• Carers (9am-4pm every day)
  All our Carers are qualified disability support workers, childhood education professionals, allied health professionals or youth workers with National Police Checks, WWCC/Blue Cards and First Aid training. All Carers have specific experience in supporting Autistic young people and are well versed in how to minimise and navigate triggers, and supporting young people to navigate anxiety related behavioural and emotional dysregulation. We want the best for our young people and know that you want to know they are in good hands, so we only employ team members with lived- experience of Autism, or real life hands-on experience working with Autistic young people.

Autistic Young Persons’ Program

The Camp Leader and Carer-led program combines group therapy sessions with adventure and art/craft filled activities such as equine-assisted learning, art therapy, pioneering skills and mud play, rainforest/creek nature play, canoeing, Indigenous yoga, breath work and storytelling, orienteering and our famous sponge games!

Participants will be provided with an individually tailored social story before their camp, to prepare them for what is ahead. Each day begins with a half-hour visual planning session, and each afternoon ends with parent-led proprioceptive/sensory downtime in our dedicated proprioceptive space which is available for use throughout your stay.

Siblings’ Program

The program is led by our Sibling Leader and activity providers with activities such as sponge games and pool games, crate stack, pioneering skills and mud play, rainforest/creek nature play, canoeing, orienteering and team games, and a full-day Sibworks program session - led by a childhood education specialist. The program allows siblings to come together, have fun, share experiences and learn ways of dealing positively with the challenges they face as the sibling of an Autistic young person.

Parents/Carers Program

• All of the listed parents/carers activities and workshops are optional:

• Two half days of educational workshops to support your family.

• Two half days of self-care, including yoga, meditation, stretch and relaxing workshops lead by the amazing team at the Murwillumbah Yoga Centre, and one free massage from our talented masseuses. (Second parents/carers can book in for an additional massage by private arrangement).

• Four half days to do as you please e.g. explore the Tweed/Byron Hinterland region, visit the awesome UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wollumbin National Park or choose from a smorgasbord of gourmet dining options in the surrounding area. After all, this is about you having a holiday too!

Final night celebration

A fantastic party and Mexican feast celebration on your last night.

Extra’s

An Autism Camp Australia t-shirt for every young person taking part in the Autistic Young Persons’ Program.

How to Enrol

Head on over to the Pricing and Eligibility pages to enrol for this camp.