Ben James Summer Camp

2026 Summer Camp Applications Are OPEN!

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR SUMMER CAMP

Thank you for your patience as we’ve worked to plan another meaningful and engaging summer experience through our Summer Camp programs.

This year, we’re using a new, more accessible application platform to better support families through the process. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Autism Nova Scotia’s Summer Camps take place in communities across the province, with locations varying by region each year. 2026 Summer Camp locations include:

• Annapolis Valley – Greenwood (24 School Road, Greenwood, NS, B0P 1R0) & Kentville (446 Aldershot Road, Kentville, NS, B4N 2Z8)
• Central – Dartmouth (263 Waverley Road, Dartmouth, NS, B2X 2C8)
• Cumberland County – Amherst (141 Victoria Street East, Amherst, NS, B4H 1X9)
• Pictou County – Stellarton (45 Allan Avenue, Stellarton, NS, B0K 1S0)
• South Shore – Bridgewater (564 Glen Allan Drive, Bridgewater, NS, B4V 4A4) & Liverpool (50 Queens Place Drive, Liverpool, NS, B0T 1K0)
• Strait Area – Port Hawkesbury (824 Church Street, Port Hawkesbury, NS, B9A 2X8) & Saint Peters (9359 Pepperell Street, Saint Peters, NS B0E 3B0)
• Cape Breton – Sydney (35 Phillip Street, Sydney, NS, B1S 1M8)

Please Note: The South West Camp will be run through a community partner, YACRO. Registration for South West is now open, please visit https://respite.yacro.com/ to learn more.

Important Dates

⭐ May 1 – Families can begin creating an account to prepare for launch day and add their camper details in advance, helping ensure a seamless process once the Applications open on May 6. 

View our Step-By-Step Amilia Account Guide

⭐ May 4 – The NEW Application Link will be shared through our website and social media.

Click Here to View the Application Link

Please note: the forms on the link will not be live until May 6.  

⭐ May 6 – Summer Camp Applications open at the following times: 

• 11:00 AM – Ages 5–12 (Central, Annapolis Valley, South Shore, Strait Area, Cumberland, Cape Breton, Pictou)
• 12:00 PM – Ages 13–17 (Central, Annapolis Valley, South Shore, Strait Area, Cumberland, Cape Breton, Pictou)
• 1:00 PM – Ages 18+ (Central, Annapolis Valley, Strait Area, Cumberland, Cape Breton, Pictou)

Please Note: The South West Camp will be run through a community partner, YACRO. For more information on registration for this Chapter, visit www.yacro.com

⭐ May 31 – All families will be notified of their camper’s status, whether selected or not. 

Summer Camp FAQ

We know this year’s camps and locations may look a little different, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. View the 2026 Summer Camp FAQ to learn more.

Description:

In 2020, Ben James Autism Summer Camp began offering sessions for adults aged 21 and older. To accommodate the greater numbers of Autistic children, youth and adults seeking a summer camp experience, the camp moved from a two-week program to one week of full-days. The camp has received recognition over its 20 years, including numerous media features and in 2020 it was awarded the Invisible Champion Award from the Bhayana Foundation for developing and offering a “pandemic-safe” version of the summer day camp model that was then used by other camps across Nova Scotia.

During each week of camp, campers have inclusive recreational and social opportunities that they may not otherwise have access to throughout summer months. Campers’ experiences are individualized and staff and volunteers work with each camper to determine what they want ‘camp’ to look like for them. This allows campers a sense of empowerment – as one camper put it, “I love that they say yes to all of my ideas!”

Autism Nova Scotia wishes to thank the following supporters of Ben James Autism Summer Camp: The Craig Foundation, Windsor Foundation, Government of Canada (Canada Summer Jobs), Province of Nova Scotia (SKILL), Mackie Moving Systems