Camp Chileda: Where Learning Comes Alive by Having Fun

What began in the summer of 2025 as a new idea, has quickly evolved into a cherished tradition at Chileda. Camp Chileda was founded on a simple but powerful belief: some of life’s most meaningful learning happens when children are having fun.

While many view summer camp as a break from learning, we see it differently. Camp Chileda is a Living Learning Lab—a place where students practice important skills, build relationships, explore new interests, and experience success through hands-on adventures that feel more like play than instruction. 

Designed specifically for students in Chileda’s residential and day school programs, Camp Chileda extends the growth and development that occur throughout the school year into a vibrant summer environment filled with creativity, exploration, connection, and discovery. 

At its heart, Camp Chileda is a place where every student belongs, every student can contribute, and every student has opportunities to grow. 

Why Summer Matters 

For many students, summer brings freedom, excitement, and new experiences. It can also mean changes to the routines and relationships that support growth during the school year. 

Camp Chileda provides meaningful avenues for students to continue developing social, emotional, communication, and daily living skills in natural and enjoyable ways. Through shared experiences, students build confidence, strengthen independence, and discover new abilities while still enjoying all the wonder and excitement that make summer special. 

Rather than separating learning from fun, Camp Chileda brings them together. Every game, activity, outing, and campfire becomes an opportunity to learn, connect, and grow. 

More Than Activities 

At first glance, Camp Chileda may look like a traditional summer camp filled with games, crafts, sports, outings, and themed adventures. 

But behind every activity is intentional learning. 

A scavenger hunt is an exercise to practice communication and teamwork. A cooking activity builds independence and confidence. A community outing helps to strengthen flexibility, social skills, and problem-solving abilities. 

Students are not simply participating in activities; they are developing skills that help them navigate everyday life while discovering that growth can be fun. 

A Summer Filled with Possibility 

Each of Camp Chileda’s 13 themed weeks is designed to spark imagination, nurture curiosity, and open the door to new experiences while supporting important developmental skills.  Some of this year’s themes include:  

🌍 Earth Explorers 

Campers travel the world without leaving campus through games, crafts, food experiences, and cultural activities that promote curiosity, perspective-taking, and appreciation for diversity. 

🌱 Farm-to-Table to Tiny Master Chefs 

Students discover where food comes from and experience the joy of creating something themselves. Campers participate in gardening, tasting, and cooking activities that build independence and confidence while highlighting accomplishments. 

🐉 World of Imagination 

Storytelling, costumes, character creation, and imaginative adventures help students develop creativity, strengthen social connections, and build confidence while bringing new worlds to life. 

🎶 Music Moves Us 

Music becomes a powerful tool for self-expression and connection. Rhythm, movement, drumming, and dance allows students to explore new ways to communicate, regulate emotions, and celebrate their creativity. 

As one of our students enthusiastically shared: 

“Camp Chileda lets me have fun every day. I love Color Wars and Wet N Wild!” 

Building Confidence Through Connection 

One of the most valuable outcomes of Camp Chileda is the relationships that develop throughout the summer. 

Our staff deliberately create occasions for students to experience belonging, build trust, and form meaningful connections with peers and supportive adults. These relationships become the foundation for trying new things, taking healthy risks, overcoming challenges, and celebrating successes. 

“When students feel connected, they are more willing to step outside their comfort zones and discover what they are capable of achieving, observes Colvin” 

Beyond the Day: Creating a Camp Community 

Camp Chileda extends beyond structured daytime activities by creating consistent, engaging experiences that bring students together through play, teamwork, and shared success. 

Some of the ways this comes to life include: 

Zoo Break
Campers take on the role of animal rescuers. Working together, teams search for staff members hiding as zoo animals while avoiding roaming zoo guards trying to tag them. This fast-paced adventure builds communication, cooperation, and problem-solving skills through play. 

Capture the Flag
A camp favorite, this classic game challenges teams to capture the opposing flag while protecting their own. Along the way, students rescue teammates, develop strategies, and learn that success comes from collaboration, trust, and encouraging others.

Theme Night
Each week wraps up with an immersive celebration inspired by that week’s theme. Theme Night transforms the campus into a memorable experience where students practice new skills, strengthen relationships, and celebrate their accomplishments together. 

Growing Beyond La Crosse 

This summer marks an exciting milestone as Camp Chileda expands beyond the La Crosse campus and launches at our Menasha location. 

The expansion allows even more students to experience the connection, confidence, and growth that Camp Chileda has become known for, while maintaining the same commitment to individualized support and meaningful engagement. 

As Menasha Principal Rob Becker shared: 

“Students at our Menasha campus love Camp Chileda. Each day brings engaging activities and new adventures, with something for everyone. We’re excited to continue this meaningful summer tradition at the Chileda Learning Center in Menasha.” 

More than a Summer Program  

Success at Camp Chileda is not measured by the number of activities a student completes. It is found in the student who tries something new for the first time or the student who makes a new friend. It is realized when one discovers they can solve a problem, express a feeling, overcome a challenge, or achieve something they once thought was impossible. 

At Camp Chileda: 

• Growth happens through experiences. 
• Learning happens through play. 
• Confidence grows through success. 
• Relationships create the foundation for it all. 

For the students and staff of Chileda, Camp Chileda is more than a summer program. It is a place where confidence grows, relationships deepen, and possibilities expand. It is where learning comes alive by having fun and where summer becomes a season for growth. 

About the Author 

Jason Colvin is the Recreation Manager at Chileda with over 18 years of experience developing inclusive recreational and therapeutic programs for individuals with disabilities. He uses recreation, play, and experiential learning to foster social, emotional, and behavioral growth. Jason has led wilderness adventure programs, helped create the first wheelchair-accessible high ropes course, and trained thousands of professionals in adaptive programming. An Outstanding Program Impact Award recipient from the Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT), he is dedicated to creating meaningful experiences where everyone can learn, grow, and thrive. 

*The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or professional advice. Chileda, Inc. strives for accuracy but is not responsible for errors or omissions. Chileda Inc. disclaims any liability for any losses or damages arising from the use of this blog site.