Summer’s almost here, the surf is definitely up, and it’s World Autism Awareness Month… So there’s no better time than now to talk about one of our incredible partners, Surfers Healing. For thousands of kids with autism, trips to the beach with these amazing instructors are a way to catch waves, but more importantly, a healthy dose of relaxation and self-esteem.
Since 1996, Surfers Healing has been opening the minds and eyes of their young students and challenging perceptions about what kids with autism can accomplish.
It’s common for kids who join a Surfers Healing camp to have little or no surfing experience. This isn’t an advanced class. It’s about getting your feet wet. Many aren’t even super comfortable with the water when they get started. But time and again, year after year, the volunteer instructors report the same issues at the end of the camp:
“The hardest part is getting the kids out of the water…”
For kids with autism, new experiences can be challenging and scary, but once they get the feel of the surfboard under their feet, they can’t get enough.
It’s an amazing traveling circus of compassionate instructors, brave learners, and proud parents who get to see their kids grow and change right before their eyes. That moment of revelation is the reason that Surfers Healing has kept at it for the past twenty-three years, and it’s the reason that we wanted to partner with them. It’s breathtaking to see the way that the ocean can bring calm to all of us.
The American season for Surfers Healing starts on April 13th in Miami Beach and runs all summer long into the fall, with stops in ten states including Florida, California, Maryland, New York, and Hawaii. Some sessions are already full, but there are spots left in a number of camps, so check the calendar here to see what’s available in your region.
If you would like to support Surfers Healing, you can use code SURFER when you order popcorn and 50% of your purchase will go toward helping them continue to provide these incredible camps free to kids with autism.