The Hench Summer Program is a two-week day camp designed to help area teens branch out and practice friendship making skills. Staffed by licensed teachers and college-age men and women training in ASD intervention, camp provides a bully-free environment of structure and fun that helps participants thrive. Daily programming includes Art, Media (short-film making), Leisure (board games, Legos, etc.)
, Recreation (ex: Ladderball, mini bowling), and a Teamwork Challenge. The final day of camp is our annual Art Show & Film Festival in which families are invited to join us as campers show off their work from the past two weeks. It is, however, a well-crafted atmosphere that encourages uniqueness and stretching outside comfort zones. Many of our campers come away with a set of new friendships, a broader outlook, and a remarkable boost in self confidence knowing that they are not alone in the world. Transportation is made available through the Defiance City Bus garage, meals are provided through the Defiance College cafeteria, and field trips are covered by the camp. Due to the limited scope of our services, however, we are unable to accept applicants with intense behavioral concerns. Campers from further than the 4-county area are welcome to apply. We are not an overnight camp, so any accepted participant's family will need to consider housing for their child during the two weeks of camp.
