Discovery
Camp Discovery is ideal for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder who will enjoy a summer camp experience focused on support and small group activities. Campers should be able to positively interact and safely participate within small groups, as this camp provides 1:4 support.
Camp Discovery is held at True Friends Camp Courage in Maple Lake, MN. Campers will stay in cabins according to age, gender, and interests. All cabins can be used year-round with air conditioning, heating, and an indoor fireplace. All bathrooms in cabins have door locks to ensure privacy.
Camp activities include swimming (both in the lake and indoor swimming pool), tubing, fishing, archery, mini golf, a high ropes course and zip line, kayaking, canoeing, arts and crafts, nature experiences, recreational games, live action role-playing games, and more. Camp Discovery also includes special evening activities. Campers participate in small group discussions and activities that focus on special interests and making a connection with others.
See a virtual tour of the camp here.
Camp Discovery Directors
Jill Pring, MEd, aka “Big Jill,” has worked at Camp Discovery since 2007. Nothing gets her more excited than the camp lottery and seeing the list of campers for the first time. Jill’s favorite camp activities include tubing, spending time at the waterfront, and drinking sleepy time tea. You will rarely see Jill without her camera, as she loves catching all those amazing camp moments and sharing them with families. When not at camp, Jill is an ASD & Behavior Consultant for Northern Lights Special Education Cooperative in Esko, MN.
Mike Cohen, MS, is an Autism and Behavior Consultant for the Northern Lights Special Education Cooperative. He has worked in school settings since 2006 as a paraprofessional, second grade teacher, special education teacher, and consultant. He began working at camp with Big Jill in 2017 and believes Discovery is the absolute best place for our campers to build positive relationships with others.
Darrell Davey has worked for Camp Discovery since 2023. He loves sharing his love for the outdoors, board games and all things nerdy. He has worked as a paraprofessional for nearly a decade with Northern Lights Academy using his passion for games to teach students skills and teamwork. He always looks forward to all the adventures that camp has to offer.
Location
True Friends Camp Courage
8046 83rd St NW
Maple Lake, MN 55358
Cost
The cost of one camp session (five days) will be $1,999 in 2025. Applications open January 1, 2025.
Sessions
Discovery #1 (ages 18+) – June 29 – July 3, 2025
Discovery #2 (ages 10-17) – July 6 – 10, 2025