Hopeful Huddles is an engaging, BCBA-led social skills camp by Aligning Hope, designed for children ages 5-11 with autism, developmental delays, or similar needs, though a formal diagnosis is not required. Running full days (9:00a-3:00p, 9:15a-3:15p, or 9:30a-3:30p) in a safe indoor environment, this summer-long program teaches and emphasizes the skills necessary to build and maintain friendships through evidence-based activities. With 1:4 staff ratios and daily data tracking on peer interactions, kids gain real progress in greetings, sharing, and group participation while parents receive recap reports, preventing regression during spring break.
Program Features
Hopeful Huddles offers these key features for social skill-building:
Evidence-Based ABA Activities: Turn-taking games, emotion charades, and cooperative parachute play teach real friendships through a structured “I do, we do, you do” progression.
1:4 Staff Ratios: BCBA lead + trained RBTs ensure individualized prompts during group rotations for ages 5-11.
Daily Data Tracking: Measurable progress on peer greetings, sharing, and initiations—parents get recap reports to maintain gains.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the dates and hours?
June 1-18 and July 6-23, 2026. Learners may attend 9:00a-3:00p or 9:15a-3:15p or 9:30a-3:30p daily. Staggered start times are used to make it easier to get everyone in and out. - How much does it cost?
The early bird tuition for Hopeful Huddles is $4500/learner for all six weeks of camp. This price is valid until May 15, 2026 or until all spots are filled. After May 15, 2026, the tuition increases to $5250/learner for all six weeks of camp. - What does the enrollment fee cover?
All programming across twelve different social skill domains, 1:4 staff ratios, materials (visuals/games), end-of-week progress reports, and recommendations to share with your learner’s village. Learners will also receive a camp t-shirt. Parents/caregivers are responsible for providing any other items that their learner may need such as lunch, snacks, or extra clothes. - What social skills will my child practice?
Greetings, reciprocal conversation, sharing, turn-taking, and cooperative games (ex. board games) are just some of the things your learner will practice each day. - Who is eligible to enroll?
Learners ages 5-11 with or without intellectual or developmental diagnoses are able to participate in Hopeful Huddles; however, please note that the program is not designed for those requiring additional support to reach success. - Is part-time enrollment available?
Families may choose to enroll in a week of camp at a time; however, this option is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Aligning Hope makes no guarantees that your desired week of camp will be available. - What are your behavior expectations and safety measures?
Small group sizes of 1:4 ratios, visual supports, and token systems are just some of the strategies used. Minor issues will be redirected accordingly; serious behaviors (harm to self/peers) may require early pickup. Unfortunately, due to the structure of the program, if serious (i.e., harmful) behavior cannot be reduced quickly, your learner may not be able to participate. - Do you accommodate medical/dietary needs?
Yes, program staff are CPR and First Aid certified. Please provide advance notification of any allergies, seizures, or other medical needs. Parents/caregivers are responsible for providing all meals/snacks. Program staff will ensure that your learner only consumes items that belong to them. - What is the cancellation policy?
Due to staffing commitments, a 50% tuition deposit is due at the time of enrollment to secure your learner’s enrollment. The remaining 50% of tuition is due one week prior to their first scheduled day of camp. Cancellations at least 5 business days before your learner’s first scheduled day of camp may receive a refund minus an administration fee of $150. Cancellations on or after your learner’s first day of camp are not refundable unless the vacancy can be filled from our waitlist. - How many kids can enroll?
Hopeful Huddles will be capped at a maximum of 12 learners (three to four groups of 4) to ensure personalized support. - What should families prepare daily?
Please provide a nut-free lunch, any snacks, a water bottle (with a lid), and a change of extra clothes in a labeled bag. - What else should I know? Please plan on arriving on time for pick-ups and drop-offs. For Hopeful Huddles, a 10-minute buffer is permitted for pick-ups; however, a late fee of $2/minute applies after that. This fee will be automatically charged to the card on file and must be successfully paid in order for your learner to participate in the next day’s programming.
- What if my learner needs more support? Please send an email if your learner needs a staffing ratio lower than 1:4. Whether or not this can be accommodated depends on staffing availability, so please let us know as soon as possible.
- Do you have a question that wasn’t answered here? Contact Naomi (Naomi.Noel@AligningHope.com) to discuss further. Spots are expected to fill quickly, so don’t wait!