We have been using Ascendigo camps for winter and summer for about four years now. As far as the location, it's the best around for kids with autism much better than Challenge Aspen. There are some great staff members but for the most part, to say they are disorganized is an understatement. They rarely answer the phone, it can take over a week to get a response from staff via email, even with multiple follow up emails. Every year it seems like the Friday ceremonies get earlier and earlier, they just want to get rid of the kids on Friday afternoons as early as possible. Once I cancelled my kid's full winter session and summer session I finally got contacted by someone at the camp, which really left a bad taste in my mouth. We still use Ascendigo for two or three weeks in the summer because they have fantastic activities and keep the kids really busy and happy the only reason they have three stars, but once our preferred camp opens for the summer in July we head there. In the past, they have completely disregarded our behavioural plans and rules and accept no responsibility. When I am sending any of my kids to sleep away camp it is unnerving and when there are behavioural issues I find it to be of utmost importance that the family's wishes are respected. Ascendigo disagrees. Like I said, if your child has minor needs this could be a great option. My child needs a lot of attention and the staff gets frustrated with this and as a result, he ends up with more behavioural issues. So to sum up, great for a last-ditch option or if your child doesn't really need extra support.
