Camp Aristotle at The Auburn School Now Enrolling for Summer 2026
For children, summer should be full of fun and stress-free. At Camp Aristotle, it is.
What Makes Camp Aristotle a Unique Summer Camp
Hosted for more than 12 years at The Auburn School Silver Spring campus (9115 Georgia Avenue), Camp Aristotle provides a welcoming and structured summer experience for students who benefit from social skill building and support, executive functioning support, and body regulation. Throughout the program, students spend time sharpening their social toolboxes, practicing strategies that help them build confidence and foster successful, positive relationships with their peers.
Running July 6 through July 31, Camp Aristotle welcomes rising kindergarten through 9th graders and offers half-day and full-day options. With small group sizes, experienced staff, and thoughtfully designed activities, the camp provides a soft landing spot for students who benefit from a supportive environment over the summer.
“Our goal is for every camper to experience the joy of summer camp while building friendships, developing self-awareness, social confidence, and exploring new interests,” said Camp Director, Amanda Sickel. “Camp Aristotle gives students a place where they can have fun while also feeling understood and supported.”
Camp Aristotle supports students who may experience challenges associated with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety, or other social-communication differences. Campers benefit from an environment that prioritizes social growth and emotional well-being.
Campers participate in engaging, hands-on activities while receiving support from educators trained in social-emotional development, sensory breaks, routines, and guided peer interactions.
This summer’s theme is The Great Outdoors. Each week will feature a mini-theme based on the Great Outdoors and include creative programming inspired by the natural world. Teachers will design engaging activities blending science, movement, and teamwork.
Daily Activities at the Social Skills Summer Camp
At Camp Aristotle, campers follow a daily schedule of activities with their assigned classroom, including: creative arts, music, science experiments, STEM challenges, design, team-building games, movement, martial arts, outdoor play, and water activities.
“Special experiences throughout the summer include fun visitors such as the Reptile Guy, Mad Science, Zumba, and on Fridays, a gigantic water slide to add to the fun,” said Sickel. “Campers also enjoy outdoor recess, physical education twice a week, and time for natural play and peer interaction – moments when staff can help observe and guide social skills, conflict resolution, and friendship building.”
Camp Aristotle maintains a low student-to-staff ratio with two teachers per class, so every camper receives personalized attention. Class sizes are capped at 10-12 campers, with Pre-K groups capped at seven to eight children. The staff is comprised of experienced educators as well as specialists who support students’ social-emotional and behavioral development.
“For many children, Camp Aristotle provides a place where they can finally feel comfortable being themselves while experiencing the fun and independence of a traditional summer camp,” said Sickel.
Special Programs and Experiences at Camp Aristotle
Camp Aristotle also offers a specialized PEERS (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relationship Skills) program for rising 8th and 9th-graders. The nationally recognized, evidence-based social skills program is designed to help young teens. Through interactive lessons, role-playing, and real-life practice, students learn strategies for navigating conversations, reading social cues, and developing peer relationships. The program runs for a full day only and is limited to 12 students/week.
Why Families Choose a Social Skills Summer Camp
For some families, Camp Aristotle becomes much more than a summer program – it becomes the first place where their child feels supported, makes new friends, and can interact with peers who are just like them.
Kyle enrolled his son, Jack, at Camp Aristotle when he was 4 years old after several preschool programs struggled to meet his needs. “He came home happy instead of miserable,” Kyle said. “It was the first time we thought, maybe there is a place for him.”
Camp Aristotle also provides the foundational blocks and an opportunity to see how their child would thrive in Auburn’s learning environment for the school year.
After attending camp, his parents enrolled Jack at The Auburn School for kindergarten. Today, he is thriving academically and socially, even reading above grade level.
Just as meaningful was Jack’s growing confidence. “By the end of kindergarten, he made his first real friend,” Kyle said. “I still get emotional thinking about that. He had never connected with another child before, and now he has a group of friends.”
Another family shared that they struggled to find a camp that truly met their son Milo’s needs until discovering Camp Aristotle, which he has attended every summer since 2023.
“We cannot say enough good things about our experience,” said parent Cara Cowdrey. “Milo loves the yearly themes, the special activities, and the supportive staff. We are so grateful for the behavioral, emotional, and social support the staff provides. July consistently ends up being one of the happiest and most well-regulated months of the year for Milo, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Camp Aristotle.”
“At Camp Aristotle, students gain more than just summer memories; they gain confidence, friendships, and a community that understands them,” said Sickel.
To learn more about Camp Aristotle and how to apply, visit: https://sesischools.com/location/the-auburn-school/.
