Summer camps- 2023

All of our camps will be lead by a Happy Oak Program Supervisor and have 1-2 support workers with a maximum of 6-8 kids. Our program supervisors have extensive experience providing behavioural support and working with exceptional children including those with autism. Our support workers or “extra hands” are either trained behavioural interventionists or those pursuing a career working with children. They will be there to provide support using prompting and reinforcement strategies.  While all of our camps have a theme, we will still be providing lots of incidental teaching and support in the areas of social skills, staying on task, turn taking and following group instruction across all classes. Each class will have socialization opportunities built into it. If your child falls outside of the specified age range and you believe they could benefit please contact us and ask!

If your child requires 1:1 support please contact Elyssa at elyssa@happyoak.ca to discuss options for class participation as camps do not readily include 1:1 support.

NOTE: All classes have been developed with careful consultation amongst our most senior staff and ABA specialists, including our clinical director, Elyssa McKee, M.ED, BCBA.

Sports Day Camp (6-9 year olds)

3 spots remaining

Kids, get ready to work in teams and as a group while you take on obstacle courses, team games, races, relays and even some arts and crafts. Children will get an opportunity to practice working as a team, offering suggestions to peers and accepting peers’ suggestions. A big focus will be on team work and prosocial behaviours. This group will take a trip to the local park and spend plenty of time outside!

Dates: July 10th- July 14th 1:00pm-4:00pm

August 14th- 18th 9:30am-12:30pm

Location: The Happy Oak Centre- 125 West Broadway, Vancouver

Cost: $550 (including materials) 

Drama camp (6-10 year olds)

Join this exciting and fun social skills and drama camp created by Amy Hayashi, BCaBA and actor. She will use acting strategies and techniques to teach pro-social behaviours, friendship development, and assertiveness when faced with hardships such as bullying. All children who meet the pre-requisite skills are welcome to attend! Children set up with the AFU are able to use their funds for this program.

Targeted social skills and acting strategies include:   

  • Joining in with peers and inviting others to join in activities

  • Perspective taking - recognizing how our actions affect others

  • Seeking out information from peers

  • Taking an interest in other’s activities and interests

  • Focus on voice, characters, facial expression, movement, breathing, and acting exercises

  • Role play will be used to model how to respond in both positive and challenging situations (e.g., learn how to stand up for self and others) 

  • Participate in improvisational games and scenarios to practice taking spontaneous action, helping them move outside of their comfort zones and acquire tools to respond in an unexpected scenarios

  • Kids and tweens will build confidence in their social interactions and gain independence in their daily decision making

Prerequisites: Kids must be able to follow multi step instructions, engage in reciprocal communication, and tolerate being around peers. Children mustn’t exhibit challenging behaviours such as bolting, hitting others, or self-injurious behaviours or require 1:1 support. If you are looking for a social skills program and your child requires 1:1 support please contact us directly at info@happyoak.ca

Date: July 10th- July 14th

Time: 9:30am - 12:30pm (pack a snack!!)

Location: Happy Oak Center- 125 West Broadway, Vancouver

Cost: $650.00

Comic Book Camp! Come create your own mystical characters from superheroes to fairies!! (6-9 year olds)

2 spots remaining

Come join us in this beginner level summer comic book class created by Sarah Tanveer who is a BCaBA candidate with bachelor’s degree in psychology and English. Sarah will be guiding your children through a series of group games and social exercises designed to stimulate creativity, storytelling and fine motor skills. Children will focus on refining their fine motor skills, storytelling and sequencing of story events, and creativity by learning to create their very own comic book. We will focus on story composition, character development (E.g, villains and superheroes), and comic book presentation.  All children who meet the pre-requisite skills are welcome to attend! Children set up with the AFU are able to use their funds for this program.

Prerequisites: Kids must be able to follow multi step instructions, have basic penmanship skills (e.g. pincer grip) engage in reciprocal communication, and tolerate being around peers. Children mustn’t exhibit challenging behaviours such as bolting, hitting others, or self-injurious behaviours or require 1:1 support. This group will have 1-2 supporting BIs. 

Date: August 14th-18th

Time: 1pm-3:30pm

Location: Happy Oak Centre

Cost: $550 (Fee includes all materials)

Once we have reviewed your child’s registration form we will send you an intake to fill out and payment instructions. We are looking forward to seeing you this summer!