Camp – FAQ

SOAR serves youth and young adults, ages 8-25, with learning disabilities and/or attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. SOAR participants generally enjoy the out-of-doors, are energetic and active, and thrive in a small group environment.

 Most SOAR participants are high functioning, intelligent, and struggle with issues such as impulsivity, disorganization, oppositionality, inattention, challenges with social skills, etc. Some participants may have additional diagnoses such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Tourettes, high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder, among others. Although participants may have experienced lowered self-esteem and academic frustration prior to attending SOAR, they are essentially well-adjusted individuals.

 In order to provide a safe, effective environment for participants and staff we do not accept students with active suicidal ideation/attempts, psychotic symptoms, acute/chronic violence, or active substance abuse issues. Participants with significant behavioral challenges are discouraged from applying. Medical conditions such as diabetes (insulin-dependent), epilepsy, cardiac conditions, or other conditions may prevent students from being accepted.

 SOAR welcomes youth and young adults diagnosed with ADHD and/or Learning Disabilities (and their siblings) of any race, religion, sexual orientation or identity, national or ethnic origin, and disability (assuming the disability permits safe participation in the essential activities of SOAR courses as currently defined).

SOAR usually enrolls 7-8 participants per group with a 2 instructor staff team. In addition, each course is also supervised by a Course Director who maintains daily contact with each group and is there to assist Instructor staff as needed.

SOAR staff receives extensive training on all aspects of medication administration, including information about the common types taken by LD and AD/HD youth, their purpose and contraindications, and a standard protocol for administering the medication. SOAR instructors will review your child’s medication information during the Inbrief process. It is imperative your child is sent with enough medication to last the entire course, plus two days extra.

The vast majority of SOAR staff are over the age of 21 and are working toward Bachelors or Masters degrees in Special Education, Recreational Therapy, Psychology, or a related field. All are certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR and receive extensive training in all of our wilderness and adventure activities. All SOAR staff go through a thorough background check as well as training regarding child supervision and protection.

 Appropriate accommodation begins with knowledge and the SOAR staff team leaves no stone unturned in our search for information about LD and AD/HD. SOAR staff attend more than fifteen local, regional, and national conferences every year to stay updated on “best practices” in the field. With that said, we continue to be reminded that our best teachers are our students, and we have been learning from them for more than forty-five years.

SOAR has taken everything we know about the characteristics of LD and AD/HD and designed a program that removes obstacles while building in springboards for success. As a result, we ask SOAR participants to set high, yet realistic, expectations and find ways to boost their capabilities to reach these goals.

 Staff are trained to understand and work with the specific characteristics common to our population, such as impulsivity, organizational challenges, lack of social skills, low frustration tolerance, etc. We use techniques such as redirection, natural & logical consequences, social autopsies, and behavioral self-analysis to help our participants develop greater self-awareness and coping skills for managing their specific set of ADHD characteristics.

Upon the conclusion of our standard SOAR programs, each participant / parent will receive a written summary that gives details of course activities, the successes that the camper had, the progress they made toward their course goals, and the strengths that the staff observed and encouraged. Finally, the summary will have strategies for you to use at home that we believe will support the continued growth and maturation of your child.

Students are welcome to attend as many SOAR courses as they would like. Our Director of Admissions can assist you in putting together a series of courses to fit your needs and those of your child. Also available is the opportunity for students to stay at SOAR during the time between courses. This service is available for a fee to cover food, lodging at our base camp, and local tourist activities such as bowling, movie viewing, baseball games, and nature centers. Please let Admissions know about layovers as quickly as possible for staffing purposes.

The gear lists were developed with careful consideration of the needs of each student depending upon the length of the course and the course environment. Therefore, it is vital to send everything on the gear list with your child in order to maximize their comfort, safety, and enjoyment while on course. Please consult our Gear Guide for additional information and guidance.

The “inbrief” is an opportunity for you to talk with your child’s adventure camp staff prior to their arrival for a SOAR program. You will discuss what will take place on the course, review the student’s goal, and review any medications that the staff will be responsible for administering.

 During the “debrief” at the end of the course the staff will meet with you again to process your child’s experience at SOAR. They will review goal progress, your child’s success and accomplishments, and strategies for use at home.

The SSI Scuba Diver Certification is an introduction to scuba diving and allows campers to receive a scuba certification in a shorter time. Campers attending our Christmas Keys SCUBA Adventure will work toward a SSI Scuba Diver Certification. In order to receive this certification campers must complete the required coursework, contained dives, and openwater dives. SSI Scuba Divers can dive under the direct supervision of a SSI Professional to a maximum depth of 12 metres/40 feet.

 The SSI Openwater Diver certification is requires more contained and openwater dives. Campers attending our FL SCUBA Openwater course will work toward their SSI Openwater Diver certification. In order to receive this certification campers must complete the required coursework, contained dives, and openwater dives

While on basecamp, our cook will prepare balanced meals for campers. While in the field, students prepare their own food (with assistance from staff) and are often involved in their own menu decisions. Some SOAR favorites are “Trail Pizzas,” stir fried vegetables and rice, macaroni & cheese, spaghetti, beans & rice, and burritos.

 SOAR endeavors to keep up with new information regarding nutrition and its affect on ADHD. With that in mind, we strive to limit food with artificial dyes and processed sugars. We can accommodate food allergies and preferences but will charge an additional fee for dietary restrictions such as gluten free and lactose intolerance.

This varies from course to course. Courses such as Academic Discovery and Llama Trek spend the most amount of time on basecamp with a total of 2-4 nights per week. Most courses only spend two nights (the first and last night) on base.

(See the daily course schedules for course specific information)

If your child gets sick while on course, you will be notified by staff if the condition is severe enough to warrant being seen by a doctor or if the staff would like to administer an over-the-counter medication (such as an antihistamine). If the student needs to go home, staff will contact you to make the appropriate travel arrangements.

For COVID-19 specific concerns, please see our COVID-19 page.

SOAR courses provide the opportunity for students to experience a certain level of independence and to encourage self-reliance. Therefore, students are not allowed to make phone calls home or send e-mails unless they are staying for multiple courses. However, students are encouraged to write home as often as they would like.

Although the deposit is non-refundable upon cancellation of a course, the fee may be used for another course during the current season or for a course during the next season only.

The balance of the tuition (minus the deposit) will be refunded according to the following schedule:

• Prior to 60 days – Full refund
• Between 30 and 60 days – 50% refund
• Between 15 and 30 days – 25% refund
• Within 15 days of course – No refund

Students may be removed from a course due to a variety of reasons, including injury or illness, behavior issues, family emergencies, or other factors. If a student leaves a course early, no refund will be given.