Registered Charity #86117 9083 RR0001

The demand for individualized summer services for older youth with Asperger’s/High Functioning Autism is high and is a need not currently being met. Youth of this age need an adolescent-based activity program that goes beyond a camp program typically enjoyed by younger children, yet still strives to meet their current and future developmental needs. For these youth, that means early training on employment and job-related skills and continuing life-long fitness that is fun, challenging and part of a life-style.

OHEYS “Jobs & Sports” is an adolescent activity based program, which addresses these two challenging areas: potential employment and lifelong physical activity. It provides learning opportunities which impact in a significant, meaningful way. Lunch is provided by camp to encourage social communication and sharing of experiences with the group.

Two key instructional components are included:

JOBS – get ready for the reality of employment – see the possibility!

Research has shown that the social part of the working world is extremely challenging for older youth with autism/Asperger’s. With awkward social interactions and difficulty in ‘thinking on the spot’, they need more preparation, planning and practice to be successful in jobs.

This program gives youth the opportunity to:

• gain exposure to the employment process, discuss potential areas of future job interest, practice job interviews through role-play.
• practice greater organizational self-management, be ‘on time’, learn about the responsibilities and expectations of potential employment, plan for a paycheque.
• observe good role-models in a supporting and encouraging environment at worksite sponsor locations (prior worksite sponsor locations include: Giant Tiger, Safeway, Sobeys, Shoppers Drug Mart, CM University Kitchen, Petland Kenaston, Riverwood Square Seniors Complex, Petland Pembina, Landscape Maintenance, and more!
• work for 2 hours per day at several different work-site sponsor locations and earn minimum wage, paid at the camp windup on Fridays
• discuss interpersonal communication and smooth social interactions with supervisors, co-workers, customers and with fellow campers.
• practice conversational skills and small talk with the ‘phone-a-camper-friend” evening assignment Monday to Thursday

SPORTS – Work, then play. Encourage continuing life-long recreation/sports activity.

Youth with autism/Asperger’s tend to be more awkward in motor skills, lean towards inactivity generally, have often fallen far behind peers in this area due to their central nature of their disability. Typically, they may not be involved in group or team sports activities, or have a plan for active fitness that involves others beyond their immediate family. Having active physical activity and fun with friends are combined to offer a program that provides the necessary social, behavioural and physical skills guidance appropriate to this age group. Sports skills development for these youth typically is not met by traditional summer programs. A higher level of direct skill-based and social-interaction instruction, as well as individualized feedback, is usually needed for these youth to feel successful and to enjoy the game.

Our goal is also to encourage the incorporation of physical activity and sports into their lives on a regular on-going basis.

“Go to work – then go work out”. We try to:

• encourage physical activity and modified sports on an on-going basis for life-long health and wellness.
• work on social/communication and experience-sharing aspects of participation in group activities.
• promote enjoyment of fitness and fun with friends through active field trips
• offer basic sports skill instruction to enjoy success during team sports and group activities.
• offer direct social skill instruction and role-play to promote good sportsmanship and verbal communication.
• emphasize the enjoyment and health-related aspects of fitness for life and peer social involvement.

2020 OHEYS Jobs & Sports Application (.pdf)

2020 OHEYS Jobs & Sports Application (.doc)

Jobs & Sports Waivers (.doc)