Respite Weekends for Families Affected by ASD
Meramec Adventure Learning Ranch programs offer individuals opportunities to discover and capitalize on their strengths and to inspire changes in perspective. Experiential outdoor adventure activities and programs focus on means to continued development of character, integrity, positive relationships and, ultimately, to making even a greater positive impact in the world. 
Respite weekends are created to give you and your child the opportunity to break away from day-to-day living and for your child to spend a weekend in a supportive, exciting, safe adventure program growing in awareness and confidence. Skilled staff provide your child with incredible opportunities for enjoyment, challenge, and growth through adventure and outdoor activities. At the same time, skilled, caring, and compassionate support personnel are also on-site and available to assist whenever needed with sensory, communication, and/or behavioral support as needed. These weekends are extraordinary opportunities for your child to relax, enjoy the great outdoors, and more importantly, develop awareness, self-efficacy, and social skills. These weekends were also created with you as a parent in mind. This is an opportunity for you to relax, reenergize, and rejuvenate while knowing your child is being taken care of, having fun, and experiencing new and exciting adventures with incredible camp staff who genuinely care.
What to Expect
Respite programs run Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. The participants stay in the Learning Center Facility. Your child has an opportunity to participate in various activities. These may include climbing, survival skills, water activities (weather dependant), arts and craft time, swinging, fishing, challenge courses, and other activities. Activities vary from weekend to weekend and are determined closer to date. Remarkable camp staff work with your child to choose the activities that he/she is interested in, that challenge and inspire your child, and that meet him/her where he/she is at. Extremely low staff to participant ratios allow incredible flexibility and the ability to tailor the program to fit exactly what your individual child needs. A social skill is determined before each respite weekend, and the camp staff work with each child to develop and grow this skill throughout the weekend.
Meals are hearty, well-balanced, and healthy. A list of meals served during your child’s stay is available upon request. If you have concerns about your child’s special dietary needs, please contact us prior to the start of the respite program.
What if my child has never spent the night away from home?
Take comfort that our professionally trained staff members are accustomed to making participants feel welcome and at home. Expert camp staff, who are with your throughout the week, are highly knowledgeable in working with children on the Autism Spectrum and thoroughly trained in all activities at the ranch. If you have any specific questions about this program, please contact the Ranch office.
How to apply
These weekend respite opportunities are free for families residing in St. Louis County who support a child or children with a diagnosis on the Autism Spectrum and their siblings. All participating family members must be at least 7-years-old. Space is limited. Application deadline is two weeks prior to the weekend your child is attending. Applications are accepted on a first come, first serve bases based on occupancy and mandated staff ratios.
Camp and Respite weekends are full.
Please fill out an application if you would like your child on the waiting list.
Click here to download the information packet.
Respite dates:
February 15-17, 2013
June 19-21, 2013
July 12-14, 2013
November 15-17, 2013
December 27-29, 2013