CampLauncher is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides financial need-based scholarships (“camperships”) for neurodivergent children with autism spectrum and similar profiles so they may benefit from the power of summer camps and maximize their potential.

Eric and Debbie, the owner/directors of Camp Akeela, helped set up CampLauncher in 2010. CampLauncher's mission is to send as many kids with financial need to specialized camps as possible. In the last three years, nearly 60 campers have received camperships to attend camp!

CampLauncher partners with several camps that specialize in a neurodiverse population. Akeela and Beyond Akeela are two of CampLauncher's partner camps, which means that campership recipients attend our camps. CampLauncher also partners with MGH Aspire (a day camp in the Boston area), and Camp Talisman (an overnight camp in North Carolina).

What Is the Launch-A-Thon?

The Launch-A-Thon is a special fundraiser that we run each session at Akeela. We talk to campers about how lucky we all are to be able to attend summer camp, and how important it is to help others who cannot afford it to have a similar experience. For our Launch-a-thon, each camper selects how they want to participate to help raise money: swimming, running, archery or basketball. Parents, family members, and friends are asked to make a pledge that recognizes their camper's participation and ultimately supports CampLauncher with a charitable gift (of any size). The event itself is an uplifting, high-energy celebration of everyone's efforts.

THANK YOU for supporting our campers and ensuring others can also have transformational camp experiences!

2024 Camp Akeela Launch-a-thon

Help support our campers to raise funds for financial need-based scholarships!

Team Members