Navigating the Social World: Summer camp builds skills and confidence

Sept. 5, 2025

This summer, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board hosted the Navigating the Social World Summer Camp, an initiative designed to help students with Autism strengthen communication and social-emotional skills in a supportive, small-group setting.

The program, which builds on the success of PVNC Catholic’s After School Skills Development Program, ran over two weeks in July at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Elementary School in Newcastle and St. Alphonsus Catholic Elementary School in Peterborough. 

In total, 18 students between the ages of 8–11 participated, supported by a team that included a Speech-Language Pathologist, Social Worker, Teacher, and Autism Spectrum Disorder Worker.

Throughout the week, students engaged in lessons and activities that focused on storytelling, friendship-building, and emotional regulation. 

They practiced strategies such as crab breathing, box breathing and lazy 8 breathing to manage emotions, while storytelling activities helped build confidence in sharing personal experiences. 

Real-time coaching allowed staff to guide students during natural social interactions, helping them put their new skills into practice right away.

By the end of camp, students demonstrated growth in confidence, stronger connections with peers, and improved oral language skills. 

Families received daily updates to reinforce skills at home, and schools were provided with transition reports to continue supporting students throughout the school year.