Camp Crinkleroot
Now in its fifteenth year, Camp Crinkleroot serves children ages 8–18 who have an autism diagnosis or a similar developmental disorder. The camp is offered twice each year, with the fall session focused on communication and friendship skill-building, and the spring session centered on having fun with peers in a more traditional camp setting.
The goal of Camp Crinkleroot is to provide engaging, supportive activities tailored specifically for kids on the autism spectrum, while also offering meaningful respite for caregivers. All activities are intentionally designed to meet the developmental needs of the campers. Friendship-building remains a core component, with every camper paired 1:1 with an App State student and supported through small-group activities that encourage connection and social inclusion.
Camp Staff
Both Fall and Spring Camp Crinkleroot are staffed by trained App State student volunteers and faculty members.
Each camper will be paired one-to-one with a counselor throughout the camp day.
Camp groups will participate in a variety of activities including indoor and outdoor recreational activities, expressive arts activities, group interaction games, a campfire (spring), riding the AppalCart (fall) and other fun camp activities.
All activities at Crinkleroot will be modified to provide a fun and enriching weekend for each individual camper.
Volunteer Application
We are looking for current App State students to help staff Camp Crinkleroot!
Individual students can serve as one-to-one buddies for campers or choose to be assigned to plan and lead activites.
Is your Group interested in volunteering? We welcome you to contact Heidi Tait at taithr@appstate.edu to learn more about how your group can work with our wonderful campers!
Camp Crinkleroot is a free day camp for children on the Autism Spectrum or with a similar disorder, sponsored by Appalachian State University’s Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness.
Camp Crinkleroot is offered twice a year – once in the fall and once in the spring.
Camp Information
Spring Camp
Ages: 8-14
Dates: April 24 – 26, 2026
Friday April 24, 2026, 5:30-7:00pm: Family Potluck
Saturday April 25, 2026: most of the day
Sunday April 26, 2026: afternoon
Deadline to apply: TBD
Camp Crinkleroot’s spring camp is a weekend day camp for ages 8-14. Spring Camp Crinkleroot is about building friendships through recreational and creative activities. Spring camp offers a typical camp experience for children in the community and includes activities such as camp songs and skits, group interactive games, treasure hunts and lots of free play. Siblings are invited to attend spring camp to give parents time off while their kids enjoy supervised and engaging activities!
Location and Contact Information
Spring Camp Crinkleroot Location
Camp Broadstone
Appalachian State University
1431 Broadstone Rd,
Banner Elk, NC 28604
Fall Camp Crinkleroot Location
Leon Levine Hall
Appalachian State University
1179 State Farm Road
Boone, NC 28607
Contact
For questions or more information about Camp Crinkleroot, please reach out to Mary Sheryl Horine at 828-262-7557 or horinems@appstate.edu.