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This is the Thurston County Inclusion logo. It is Yellow and Teal and the "C" looks like hands being held together.
Kids Reading Outdoor

Summer Camp 2025 FAQ

Summer Camp Frequently Asked Questions:

 

How much does camp cost?

We are thankful for our generous grantors, donors and sponsors who help make our summer camp free and run on a donation basis only (please see How can I support TCI? below).

 

Where do we hold camp?

In 2025, our camp will be based out of Olympia Regional Learning Academy (TCI is not affiliated with Olympia school district or any other school district). Please note that the Thursday Teen group will be a field trip style. Participants in that group will travel around Thurston County with a new location each week. 

 

Who are participants at TCI’s camp?

Our participants are youth that range in age from 5 to 22 and are individuals with and without intellectual/developmental disabilities. They represent over 43 schools in Thurston County. 

 

How do I register for camp?

You can find registration information on our website. Register Here

 

What are the different sessions?

Announcing Soon!

 

Tell me more about Thursday's TEEN Session?

 

This session is geared towards the older age participants to provide them a unique opportunity. Through this field trip style camp participants are experiencing many activities and places in Thurston County with peers. Each week will be a new location and theme! Previous years we have gone to Loc-Oly Kitchen for cooking class, Wolf Haven, bowling, and activities included LEGO and STEM, craft days, among more. You will receive a detailed list of locations planned before you start camp.

 

Do I need to stay with my child at camp? Can I stay onsite with my youth?

We do not require a parent/caregiver to stay and parent/caregiver may utilize the drop off option (please read further). Parents/Caregivers are always welcomed to stay onsite and participate with us. You will be given a sticker or visitor badge indicating you are an approved adult.  Further, we reserve the right to ask a participant’s adult to stay should the participant’s need be more than we can accommodate. This request will be made either verbally or over email. If a parent, caregiver or sibling has a disqualifying offense under Chapter 74.34 RCW, they are ineligible to stay with their child at a TCI event.


 

My child has a tendency to elope. Can someone be assigned to them?

 

We offer one-on-one attention for participants who need constant supervision and support from a volunteer to engage in events or prefer to venture away from the group. All of our one-on-ones are volunteers, and many of them are high school students. Please be aware that if your participant will need more advanced assistance, we encourage you to arrange that. 

 

A TCI Staff or Board Member will assess if TCI can provide the participant with one-on-one support. This will be done at a previous TCI event and/or a designated pre-summer orientation. Participants will be assessed each year at a minimum. To get an assessment, TCI must be notified via email (info@thurstoncountyinclusion.org) prior to an event and an adult must stay with the participant for their first event.

 

TCI has two part-time employees and is otherwise volunteer-run. We cannot always guarantee that we will have one-on-one volunteers available for your child. If we do not have an adequate number of one-on-one volunteers, the participant’s adult will be asked to stay with their children and one-on-one volunteers available will be on a first come-first serve basis.


 

We are traveling this summer. Can my child attend some of the sessions?

Yes. There will be a form to complete to inform us of what days your child will be able to attend however if you will be missing many weeks throughout the summer this might not be the best camp for your participant as we have the goal of growing friendships over the summer and that is best done with consistent attendance. 

 

My child is nervous about camp and has sensory difficulties. Is this camp a good fit?

We seek to be inclusive of all children. However, we recognise that camp’s can be overwhelming. We anticipate that there may be as many as 75 people at each camp. All of the people will be spread out over the facility for much of the camp, your child will be in a small group. Also, if a child does not want to participate in an activity or is feeling overwhelmed, there are spaces available for us to sit outdoors and do a quiet activity. We will also be holding monthly activities prior to the start of camp, so this will be an opportunity to get more comfortable with the environment. 

 

What does my child need to bring to camp?

We would like your child to wear their camp t-shirt, a water bottle, and a nut free snack. Please label all items. 

 

Who is staffing this camp?

TCI has a few staff, event support and board members who will be in attendance. They will be supported by at least 25 volunteers per session. There are lots of eyes and support for your child. 

 

Can my child come with a friend or sibling?

Yes. Please register both participants for our camp and indicate that they may want to be grouped together. If they are different ages and would be in different camps, it is OK to sign them up for the same session. 

 

Does camp fill up? What happens if it does?

Yes, our camp did fill up in previous years and we expect it to again this year. There is a waitlist.  

 

I cannot drop my child off at camp. Is there any transportation?

TCI does not provide transportation. If your child is able to take the bus or bike, that is allowed and just requires an additional form signed. We also encourage you to reach out to other parents who may be interested in carpooling. In addition you may utilize the Bus Buddies and or Intercity Transit’s Dial a Lift for help with transportation (neither are affiliated with TCI)

 

What does a typical day look like?

We have many themes and activities for our sessions and you can expect:

  • Check in (parent/caregiver signs participant in)- Split off into groups by ages and meet with the group leaders for name badges and small group welcome activity.

  • Large group activity to discuss the flow of the day and upcoming activities

  • Rotate through different stations in small groups. Every group gets an opportunity to engage with stations

    • If a youth is having trouble with transitions they may stay at the desired activity and will be supervised by the station leader. 

  • Snack time-roughly 30 min of snack and conversation, this is also a time for some youth to have a quieter reset before our other activities that end the session

  • Guardians pick up

 

What happens if it rains, is smokey, too hot, or other weather conditions?

TCI has policies related to inclement weather. If the decision is made to move indoors and offer no outside activities or cancel, this will be sent via email to your registration email. 

 

How can I support TCI?

There are many ways to support us, including Monetary Donations, Sponsorships, and item donations. Please see our website for more information: https://www.thurstoncountyinclusion.org/supportus 

 

More Questions? Please email at info@thurstoncountyinclusion.org

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