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Most people think of Camp Sequoia as amazing food, trips, and the friendships that grow quickly in a supportive overnight camp community. For our leadership team, though, camp is truly year-round. The “off-season” isn’t a break, it’s when we do the planning, staff development, and program refinement that make summer feel safe, structured, and fun for neurodivergent campers.
Key takeaways
- The off-season is when we review feedback, update programming, and improve daily routines and transitions.
- We invest in evidence-informed professional development focused on neurodiversity, social-emotional learning, executive functioning, and trauma-informed care.
- Staff hiring and training are intentional, because who you hire and how you train directly shapes camper outcomes.
- We collaborate with families (and, when appropriate, outside professionals) so each camper arrives with the right supports in place.
In this post
- Why the off-season matters at a neurodiversity-affirming summer camp
- Professional development that keeps our team current
- Program review and continuous improvement
- Leadership planning and safety systems
- Staff training and hiring
- Enrollment planning and family collaboration
- FAQs for families considering Camp Sequoia
Why the off-season matters for neurodivergent campers
Camp is designed to feel joyful and “normal” for kids, but behind the scenes, serving exceptional and neurodivergent campers takes real intention. Many Sequoia campers are twice-exceptional (2e) and/or have learning differences, ADHD, autism, anxiety, and other support needs. Our job is to build an environment where strengths are celebrated and support is available in the moments it matters most; during transitions, group activities, cabin life, and social problem-solving.
If you’re curious about fit, start with Who We Serve and our Mission & Approach.
Professional development grounded in evidence-informed practice
During the months outside of summer, our leadership team leans into professional learning so we can keep improving how we support campers socially and emotionally. That includes staying current on research and best practices related to executive functioning, emotional regulation, and social-emotional learning (CASEL’s SEL framework).
We also prioritize training aligned with child and adolescent mental health guidance (NIMH on ADHD; AACAP’s ADHD Resource Center) and trauma-informed organizational practices (NCTSN resources). When we reference tools and common language for self-regulation, we draw from frameworks like The Zones of Regulation.
This off-season learning shows up in the details: how we structure our day, how we teach social skills, and how we coach “in the moment” so campers can practice new skills in real life—not just talk about them.
Program review and continuous improvement
The off-season is also when we take feedback seriously. We review what campers, families, and staff tell us, look for patterns, and make targeted upgrades—without losing the flexibility and fun that make camp feel like camp.
Examples of off-season program development include refining social skills groups, improving sensory supports, adjusting schedules and transitions, and strengthening leadership opportunities for older campers. For a deeper look at our approach to social growth, see 5 Ways We Develop Campers’ Social Skills and our post on Research-Based & Evidence-Informed Social Skills Growth.
Leadership planning: safety, alignment, and the “hidden curriculum”
Strong camps are built on strong leadership. Strategic planning in the off-season helps ensure our systems, communication, supervision, health & safety practices, and daily routines are aligned with the needs of kids who may struggle with the “hidden curriculum” of social life.
We also benchmark against broader youth-development best practices and camp standards (for example, guidance and resources from the American Camp Association).
Staff training: preparing counselors to support neurodiversity
Our staff are the heart of camp, and training is where a great summer starts. In the off-season, our directors build training modules that go well beyond general camp orientation. We focus on practical, scenario-based coaching around communication, social thinking, frustration tolerance, emotional regulation, and relationship building.
If you’d like a transparent look at what we value in staff, visit Who We Hire and our recent blog post Your Camp Staff Make Your Program.
Hiring: selecting mission-aligned staff
Hiring is one of the most important off-season tasks. Supporting neurodivergent campers requires counselors who are patient, adaptable, observant, and committed to learning. Our process includes multiple interviews, reference checks, background checks, and careful consideration of each candidate’s experience.
Interested in working at Sequoia? Start with Available Positions.
Enrollment planning and family collaboration
For families, the off-season often includes exploring fit and getting questions answered. For our directors, it’s a time of careful collaboration—reviewing applications, meeting prospective campers, and (when helpful) communicating with professionals so each child’s strengths and needs are understood before arrival.
You can learn more about fit and next steps on our Eligibility page, review Dates & Tuition, or:
The off-season is where the summer begins
While campers experience the joy, connection, and independence that come with summer, the foundation for that success is built during the off-season. Planning, learning, training, and refining are how we create a community where kids feel understood and supported from day one.
In other words: the off-season isn’t quiet. It’s the starting line.
FAQs
Is Camp Sequoia a good fit for campers with ADHD, autism, anxiety, or learning differences?
Camp Sequoia is built to support exceptional and neurodivergent campers through structure, coaching, and a community designed for social success. The best next step is to review Who We Serve and then connect with our team to talk through your child’s profile and goals.
How does the camp support executive functioning and daily routines?
We intentionally design schedules, routines, and transitions to help campers practice planning, organization, and emotional regulation in real-world situations. For a deeper dive, read Summer Camp: A Place for an Executive Functioning Victory.
How are staff trained to support campers socially and emotionally?
Training emphasizes practical tools for coaching social skills, supporting regulation, and responding consistently. Our hiring and training philosophy is explained on Who We Hire, and we also share behind-the-scenes thinking in Campfire Wisdom: How Staff Mentorship Transforms Lives in ADHD and 2e Communities.
How do we start the enrollment process?
Review Eligibility and Dates & Tuition. Click the button below to apply. Our team will guide you through next steps and interviews.
About the Author: Director Lynsey Callan
Lynsey is a mother of three, and her lived experience parenting two children diagnosed with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 1) informs the empathy and perspective she brings to her work every day. Learn more about Director Lynsey by checking out our team’s about us page.
If you’re exploring summer options for a child who is neurodivergent, or a child who is bright, capable, and working on social confidence, we’d love to connect.