What is the Friends & Family Camp at KindTree-Autism Rocks?

Updated

Friends & Family Camp is one of the core programs run by KindTree-Autism Rocks, an organization based in Eugene, Oregon, that supports autistic people through the arts, education, recreation, and community involvement. The camp is a recreation-focused experience for autistic individuals together with their friends and families. If you are considering attending or volunteering, the key facts from the organization's own site are: registration for the 2025 camp begins in April, and the camp always needs volunteers. The site also points visitors to highlights from past camps and a dedicated camp page for more detail.

What the camp is

KindTree-Autism Rocks describes itself as dedicated to celebrating and supporting individuals with autism. Its programs fall into a few buckets:

  • Support groups — for autistic adults to build social skills, share coping strategies, and have fun
  • Events — fundraisers, socials, parties, and expert presentations
  • Friends & Family Camp — a camp experience that includes friends and family, not just the autistic participant
  • Community resources — local, state, and national resources for autism assessments, jobs, health, and social services

The camp sits alongside these other programs, so it is best understood as the organization's multi-day recreation offering rather than a clinical or therapeutic service. The site frames the organization's broader philosophy as one of acceptance, respect, and self-advocacy, "with and without autism."

Registration timing

The clearest scheduling signal on the site is that camp registration for 2025 begins in April. A separate note on the homepage references "Camp 2027 registration begins April 1st, 2027," which suggests the April start is a recurring pattern rather than a one-off date. If you are planning around a specific year, treat April as the month to watch and confirm the exact date on the camp page, since dates on the site are listed for multiple future years and can be updated.

Volunteering

The site states plainly that the camp "always need[s] volunteers." There is no application form or eligibility detail in the available page content, so the practical step is to go through the camp page or the organization's contact and social channels (Facebook and Instagram are both linked) to ask about current volunteer needs.

How to learn more

The site directs visitors to two things:

  1. Highlights from past camps — useful for understanding what a typical camp looks like before committing
  2. A "More about Camp" page — the place to go for current registration and volunteer details

You can also follow KindTree-Autism Rocks on Facebook or Instagram for updates, or sign up for its email updates (the site references a recent "eFlash" email).

Who this is for

The camp is designed for autistic people and the friends and family who attend with them. Because the organization also runs adult peer support groups and social skills classes, the camp is not the only entry point — if a multi-day camp is not the right fit, the Friday Zoom socials, the Eugene Peer Support Group, or the social skills class may be better matches. The organization also notes that its programs are open regardless of disability, race, or minority status.

Practical checklist

  • Check the camp page for the current year's exact registration date (April is the recurring window)
  • Review past camp highlights to see whether the format suits you or your family member
  • Ask about volunteer roles if you want to participate without registering as a camper
  • Follow the organization's social accounts or email updates so you do not miss the April opening