But what about children in isolating circumstances—kids who are hospitalized with cancer or other serious illnesses, or who have been physically or sexually abused—and what about those who are on the autism spectrum and don’t quite fit in with the rest of the kids at camp? Shouldn’t they have a chance at normalcy, too?
This was the thought process of Caroline Baumis, Saratoga Springs native and executive director of Camp Together Living a Challenge (TLC), the first camp of its kind that travels to different cities throughout the country to host camps for children living in unique conditions.
“[My mentor and I] would always think about how kids in isolating circumstances didn’t get to go to camp, so we came up with this idea of this traveling camp that went from city to city and brought camp to kids in isolating situations,” Baumis said. “So whether it’s for kids with autism or they’re living in shelters or hospitals, our goal is to bring camp to kids that can’t get there in the summer.”
Though Camp TLC was just an idea for over 10 years, the idea came to fruition three years ago after Baumis began to receive help from high school friends and others in the Saratoga community. Since then, Camp TLC has hosted sessions in several different cities, including Los Angeles, CA; Queens, NY; Bethesda, MD; Malden, MA and of course, Saratoga Springs.
This year’s session in Saratoga will be the first camp held for children with autism.
“It’s important for me to do it for kids on the spectrum because so many of my friends are affected by it and living with it, so it seems to be a good fit,” Baumis said. “There aren’t a lot of camps for them that just say, ‘Hey, it’s ok.’ I have a very different method—a lot of kids on the spectrum can go to a YMCA camp and they might not fit in. But our philosophy is if they try art and they want to do art all week, then they can do art all week.”
Baumis said Camp TLC is filling a very important gap that comes between the end of school and the start of traditional summer camps.
“The thing about kids on the spectrum is that they need to have a structured program,” Baumis said. “We are filling that gap between when school ends and when summer programs begin and it gets kids on the spectrum—they need that continuity, so if there’s a week where they’re not there, it can mess up their whole thought process.”
Baumis said she is tailoring the camp to the needs of the children with autism, breaking up the camp into two three-hour sessions in the morning and afternoon.
“Kids are welcome to go to both sessions if they can handle it, but a lot of kids on the spectrum can only do morning, or vice versa, so parents can choose,” Baumis said. “We have a Zulu room—that’s the Swahili word for ‘rest’—and it has a miniature golf course in there and Hasbro donates games so they can go there anytime and just play.”
The camp will also have sensory tables integrated into its activities, along with art and music classes. The last hour of each session will feature special events for the kids to enjoy.
“Circus Smirkus is coming, D’Andreas Pizza is donating food one day so we’ll have a picnic, and there will also be a carnival day,” Baumis said.
Though the camp will be filled with activities, Baumis said it will be a little “toned down” compared to camps in other cities where Baumis wears roller skates and keeps a stash of glitter for the amusement of the kids.
“It’s definitely a learning experience,” Baumis said. “I’m a high energy, glitter-person and one of my friends from high school who is helping me do this was like, ‘Glitter? No, my son [who is on the spectrum] hates it,’ so you learn—and that’s the beauty of Camp TLC is that every site we go to is different. In L.A. we just do this high-energy, celebrity-focused program for kids that have been sexually or physically abused, while this camp here is more toned down.”
Baumis said the camp has received a huge response from parents and families of children on the autism spectrum who have a need for this camp.
“Doing it for families of kids with autism—the response has been overwhelming for people that need this and want this for their kids,” Baumis said. “I thought there were a ton of resources for them, but there’s not. In doing this I thought, is there really a need? And someone said there’s a huge need for children with autism, but I didn’t know that.”
“The beauty of Camp TLC is that we can address that need,” Baumis continued. “It’s amazing, the amount of parents that want to come and help and be a part of it, and it’s a great place to do it because Saratoga is an amazing community to do something to give back.”
Camp TLC will take place June 24–28 at the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association Recreation Complex in Saratoga. Parents of children with autism are encouraged to apply for the free camp, which hosts both morning and afternoon sessions.
Volunteers are still needed for the Saratoga Springs camp and can learn more on how to get involved by emailing Caroline Baumis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling (917) 363-5154.
