Summer Program Catalog 2026

An AuSM Update

Welcome to the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) 2026 Summer Activities Guide.

This guide brings together the many ways AuSM supports the autism community throughout the summer months and beyond—offering programs, services, and resources designed to meet people where they are. Inside, you’ll find information about summer camps, counseling services, advocacy efforts, community events, and free educational tools, all created with a neurodiversity-affirming approach informed by autistic voices.

Whether you are autistic, a family member, a professional, or an ally, this guide is meant to help you explore opportunities for connection, learning, play, and support. Some people come to AuSM looking for answers or guidance; others come seeking community or ways to give back. However you arrive, there is space for you here. Summer is a powerful time to build relationships, try new things, and reconnect with what brings joy and stability.

As you explore this guide, we also want to pause and share a story of gratitude. In October 2025, AuSM set a goal of raising $500,000 by the end of the year to support individuals and families affected by autism across Minnesota. We are deeply grateful to share that we not only reached this goal but exceeded it.

This campaign was launched in response to unexpected and significant changes in the broader development landscape and reductions in local government funding that directly impacted nonprofit organizations. These shifts created financial uncertainty at a time when demand for AuSM’s programs and services continued to grow. AuSM turned to the strength of our community to help ensure continuity, stability, and access for individuals and families who have relied on us for more than 50 years.

The response from our community was extraordinary. Families, self-advocates, friends, partners, and supporters across Minnesota stepped forward through crowd-sourced fundraising, peer-to-peer outreach, and end-of-year giving. Each gift, large or small, sent a clear message of belief in AuSM’s mission and in the importance of sustaining compassionate, community-centered support.

AuSM also secured a multi-year grant dedicated to expanding mental health services—an investment that affirms the urgent need for accessible mental health care and the trust placed in AuSM to deliver it with care and expertise. Together, these efforts strengthened our foundation and allowed us to move into 2026 with renewed stability. They ensure access to mental health services and that individuals on the autism spectrum—and those who support them—continue to find understanding, resources, and connection through AuSM.

Most importantly, this moment reaffirmed something we have always known: You are AuSM’s greatest strength. The programs and services in this guide exist because you believe autistic people deserve understanding, access, and support at every stage of life. Whether you are discovering AuSM for the first time or have been part of this community for years, we are grateful you are here—and we look forward to spending the summer learning, playing, and growing together.