Children living with Autism are heading to St. Germain for a week-long summer camping experience.

Camp AweSum was created four years ago to allow children living with Autism an opportunity to participate in the summer camp tradition.

"There are a lot of neat things about camp I like fishing most of all that’s my favorite sport" says Joshua Sarlata of Wausau.

For Josh, and many children living with Autism, Camp AweSum has become a summer rite of passage.

The 44 campers have an opportunity to participate in kayaking and other camp staples. "You can make crafts and stuff we made these bows and arrows it's pretty fun" says Matthew Spaargaren from Chicago.

The Camp's Director Glenn Svetnika says the activities are modified to accommodate children from age 8 to 15 years old living with Autism." A doctor out of Madison gears most of the oversight of the camp with a team of occupational therapists.”

Mike Johnson from Kronenwetter is a parent of a child with Autism and has worked at the camp for three years. "We tried the whole church camp type setting and it just didn't work." Johnson says he recommends Camp AweSum to other parents as a place where children can enjoy the outdoors and be themselves.

"My daughter always comes away from this camp happier than when she came" says Johnson.

Svetnika says campers do pay for the camp out of pocket but local businesses donate equipment and money to help keep the cost down. He says the children are in good hands. Their staff includes nurses, and occupational and physical therapists. He says camp is also an opportunity for parents to get some respite from caring for their child.

For more information on Camp AweSum click on the link below.