Tennessee summer camp helps kids with autism gain social skills

From WBIR-TV in Knoxville:

This is the time of year for young campers to explore but a new camp is also teaching autistic children social skills in the midst of summer fun.

This is the first year for Open Doors Tennessee's Social Skills Camp, which offered an overnight weekend experience at Wesley Woods in Townsend.

About 30 middle and high school aged campers were paired up with peer counselors and mentors to help them learn how to hold conversations and how to build friendships.

Organizers say the demand for camps for kids with autism is high but resources are slim.

However, for the children served this summer, leaders hope it will become a building block for much more to come.

"My goal is that I hope that each child walks away with a new experience, acceptance from their peers and hopefully lasting friendships," Camp Director Cheri Howlett said.

Howlett says this camp is the first of its kind in East Tennessee.

The camp director and many of the peers and mentors at this weekends camp are passionate about autism because they have loved ones and friends who cope with the disability.