Summer 2025
CAMP CHRONICLE
The Camp Chronicle is published by the Autism Society of North Carolina for campers, parents, supporters, and the counselors and professionals who work with Camp Royall.
& Photos: MaKia Aikens, Tessa Muzzy, Chris Newman, Maddy Webber Editor: Laura Novia & David Laxton
5121 Kingdom Way, Suite 100 • Raleigh, NC 27607 919-743-0204 • 800-442-2762 www.autismsociety-nc.org For more information, contact: 250 Bill Ash Road • Moncure, NC 27559 P 919-542-1033 • F 919-533-5324 camproyall@autismsociety-nc.org www.camproyall.org
Letter from the Director
Summer 2025
Dear Camp Royall Family,
This summer marked our 29th summer of fun, friendship, and growth at Camp Royall—and it was one for the books. We had the absolute joy of welcoming 289 campers this season, ranging in age from 5 to 67, representing 48 counties across North Carolina.
It’s hard to put into words just how much this place means to so many. Camp Royall isn’t just a location—it’s a feeling. It’s the laughter around the campfire, the cheers on the zipline, the quiet pride after a camper tries something new. Whether it was someone’s first time here or their 15th summer, each camper brought something beautiful to the community and left with lifelong memories.
This was my first summer as Camp Director, and stepping into this role has been both humbling and incredible. Every day I witnessed campers growing in independence, staff forming real connections, and joy showing up in the smallest moments—belly laughs at the pool, friendships formed over lunch, or the pride of conquering the zipline.
We welcomed an amazing team of staff from across the country and around the world. One of the most rewarding parts of this summer was watching so many of our staff step into leadership roles with heart, creativity, and deep care for our campers. Their passion and dedication created such a strong, supportive community that brought camp to life in the most incredible ways.
None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors, who help make camp accessible to so many. Their support directly impacts lives, and we are endlessly grateful.
Camp Royall continues to be a place where people feel safe, seen, and celebrated. I’m so thankful to be part of that story.
With lots of camp love and endless enthusiasm,
MaKia Aikens
Camp Director, Camp Royall
CAMPER HIGHLIGHT Vincent
That flash of happy energy you just saw whiz by you was Vincent Bhulabhai, a six-year-old Camp Royall camper enjoying his third summer at camp.
Camp Royall has been a godsend for Vincent and his mom, Tatiana Bhulabhai. In 2022, the same year Vincent was diagnosed with autism, his father passed away leaving Tatiana to navigate the next steps for their child. Fortunately, she heard about Camp Royall from another parent of an autistic child and has never looked back.
“At first I wasn’t sure if I felt comfortable leaving my son for a whole week,” says Tatiana, “but I wanted to do what was best for him, so I took a leap of faith and I applied. We were lucky enough to be selected through the lottery system.”
Before coming to camp, she and Vincent attended the Camp Royal Family Overnight Camp… and the rest is history. Tatiana knew this was the place for her son. “That weekend,” she says, “I knew that this was it. I felt at home and knew that I could trust everyone at Camp Royall.”
For Vincent, Camp Royall is his “happy place.” He loves being out in nature, something he doesn’t get a chance to do often in Raleigh where he lives. Being in a cabin is another part of camp that he loves. “Just being in a cabin, he thinks is so cool, and he really enjoys the bunk beds.”
Like so many other campers, pool time is a favorite for Vincent, as well as all the other group activities he gets to participate in while at Camp Royall. “All the things that he does here, he just loves. Camp Royall is his thing.”
While Vincent is having fun in the pool or doing arts and crafts or any of the other “cool” stuff he can do at camp he has also been learning and growing. “Every time I talk with him, he’s so grown up. This summer I got a phone call from him, and I asked, ‘How are you doing, baby?’ and he says, ‘I’m good, Mom’ – you know, so grown up already, no ‘Mommy’ anymore, just ‘Mom’!”
According to Tatiana, Vincent is a man of few words, so when she gets photos from camp showing him making friends and bonding with his counselor it warms her heart. “When you see the pictures of your child having a good time, and you see that their counselors are having a great time connecting with your child, it is just amazing.”
Knowing Vincent is in such good hands at Camp Royall means a lot to Tatiana as she navigates her son’s experiences as an autistic child. “I am so grateful for the scholarship Vincent gets to go to camp. Without it, Camp Royall would not be possible for us. It means a week of fun and growth for Vincent, and it gives me some important time for myself.” Tatiana shared, “Being a parent is just, you know, your whole life and you lose yourself a little bit trying to be the best parent.” Being able to send Vincent to a place like Camp Royall where she knows he is safe and happy means that she, like all Camp Royall parents, “can have that break, that time to reconnect with ourselves, and that helps us be better parents. Camp Royall has just been an amazing experience for Vincent and me.” g
“Camp Royall is my home awayhome.”from
Pieter Westerbeek
It all began the summer of 2018 when Pieter Westerbeek did a high school internship at Camp Royall. Every summer since then, through high school, college, and beyond, Pieter has been a part of Camp Royall’s summer camp.
“I love the interactions you get with the campers. You get to care for someone for a full week and then see them again the next year and build those relationships,” says Pieter. “Camp Royall is one of the few places I’ve ever heard of that truly accepts someone for who they are. They don’t try to cover up autism; they embrace autism as an important part of who a person is.”
Pieter’s experiences at Camp Royall informed the direction of his life. He credits camp with influencing his decision in college to add a special education major to his psychology major. “I was considering a few different career paths but working at camp I had good experiences with the campers, and I enjoyed what I was doing. It inspired me to find ways to contribute to the special needs community. A special education degree was the fastest route for me to do that.”
Currently, Pieter is in his third year as a teacher with Knightdale High School’s Intellectual Disability (ID) Services. He works with students with severe and profound disabilities. Being in a public-school environment that sets certain standards and expectations, Pieter is especially appreciative of the Camp Royall experience. “It’s a place where we don’t put expectations on the campers like they have imposed on them everywhere else in their lives. We can really see who they are; they don’t have to conform.”
“Camp Royall is one of the few places I’ve ever heard of that truly accepts someone for who they are”
Over the years Pieter’s roles at Camp Royall have changed. He began as a counselor at age 16; he has been an activity director and program leader. More recently, he has shared his expertise as staff trainer and consultant. For Pieter, his time at Camp Royall is not just a summer job. He sees it as an extension of what he does all year long: dedicating himself to improving the lives of those with disabilities.
Pieter will tell you that his time at Camp Royall has been “super rewarding” for him. It has shaped the trajectory of his whole life. He even met his wife Natalie at Camp Royall when they worked there together in 2021. “It’s amazing to see the fun happen at Camp Royall. To see new campers experience things for the first time and returning campers come back for more fun. Every task we do as staff at Camp Royall contributes to a great week at camp.” And that makes Pieter very happy. g
Edward Jones VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT
Part of what makes the Camp Royall experience such an engaging one are the volunteers who travel to camp each summer to share their time and talents with campers. Since 2023, volunteers from the financial services firm Edward Jones have been among those making a difference for our campers.
For a century, Edward Jones has brought financial services to small communities, bridging the gap between Wall Street and Main Street. As part of that legacy, the firm also supports communities through philanthropic efforts, and it was this dedication to community support that brought volunteers from the local office of Edward Jones to Camp Royall again this summer.
Three years ago, a group of 60+ Edward Jones financial advisors selected the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) as a focus for its support, initially focusing on ASNC’s Triangle Run/Walk for Autism. Inspired by the community they found at this event and the mission of the Autism Society of North Carolina, the group began to look for additional ways to get involved. Enter Camp Royall.
Each year since that first summer of 2023, the number of Triangle-area Edward Jones volunteers
coming to Camp Royall has grown. This July, 24 volunteers came to camp for a special tie-dying activity with the campers. Working side-by-side with the children, they shared the fun of creating colorful, one-of-a-kind t-shirts and bandanas. For the campers it was a chance to exercise their social and communication skills while proudly creating a unique piece of artwork to wear and call their own; for the volunteers it was an opportunity to see how the inclusive and accepting community at Camp Royall makes a real difference in the lives of individuals with autism.
We know that thanks to their time spent at camp, the Edward Jones volunteers go back to their communities and help raise autism awareness and acceptance. We are so grateful for their advocacy and all they do to help make Camp Royall a special place.
Thank you, too, for Edward Jones’ ongoing financial support of the ASNC Triangle Run/Walk for Autism. Your generosity makes so much possible for so many in our community. g
If you know an organization that may be interested in volunteering at Camp Royall, please contact Camp Director MaKia Aikens at maikens@autismsociety-nc.org.
“I tried new things at Camp Royall and it was fun.”
Rockism for Autism
Making music to make a difference
It all began in 2016, when Timothy Morris got a band together with some friends to perform at County Seat Sports Grille in Lillington. With cans for donations placed around the bar, they raised $300 that night. “It really wasn’t intended as a permanent thing,” says Tim, “just something to give us an excuse to play some live music and hopefully promote the local bar in the process.” It was also a chance to raise autism awareness, a cause near and dear to Tim’s heart whose late son Timothy Morris, Jr., was on the spectrum. And so Rockism for Autism was born.
Early on, Rockism for Autism featured four bands performing in a rented venue in Erwin. A few years later they teamed up with CareNet Counseling, a local nonprofit mental health facility offering therapy to autistic children where Tim served as board president. The next big step for Rockism for Autism was its move to the Dunn Shrine Center in Dunn. “The Dunn Shriners made this possible and it has done so much to elevate our visibility and make it desirable for more local bands to play with us. It’s a great venue,” says Tim.
Last year, with the help of State Senator Jim Burgin, Rockism for Autism got a significant grant which made it possible to provide Camp Royall with more camper scholarships; and this year, Rockism for Autism hit a new milestone with the hire of The Joe Stamm Band, their first headline band.
With the new venue came new opportunities. “As we continued to grow,” recalls Tim, “we had more volunteers, and their involvement increased. They assumed more responsibilities and really helped to keep things moving ahead. I call our volunteers the Delta Force Volunteer Battalion – they make all the difference. We couldn’t do it without them.”
“Rockism for Autism is just an incredible community of people,” says Tim, “with everyone wanting and willing to help out and foster understanding and then share all that through music and the joy that brings.”
Since its establishment in 2016, Rockism for Autism has been a regular supporter of the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) and Camp Royall. In all, it has donated more than $68,000 to ASNC and funded multiple Camp Royall scholarships, updates to the camp’s Sensory Room, the purchase of a new commercial oven for the camp kitchen, and updated playground equipment.
Thank you, Rockism for Autism, for all you do to make a transformative Camp Royall experience possible for more campers. Because of your support, Camp Royall continues to be a place where autistic children and adults can embrace who they are and discover who they want to become. g
To learn more about Rockism for Autism, please visit rockismforautism.org.
“My son Campattendingloves Royall and always looks forward to it.”
Camp Royall
Camp Royall Staff 2025
Camp Director: MaKia Aikens
Program Coordinator: Sarah Hayes
Facility Staff
Annika Lindgren
Anya Heath Carmack
Bill Stahura
Cameron Musselwhite
Chris Tully
Dimitri Faircloth
Edward Wolfram
Erica Hisle
Mark D’Alesandro
Ricky Sampson
Tristan Wolfram
Lifeguards
Brenne Sovereign
Sarah Sellers
Consultants/Trainers
Ally Coker
Gabby Lardizabal
Graham Johnson
Jay Moralles
Laura Bailliard
Laura Belmar-R
Lesley Frazier-Ball
Natalie Westerbeek
Nikeeta Giddings
Pieter Westerbeek
Rowan LaForce
Sara Gage
Wykia Macon
Program Leaders
Chloe Andrews
Caroline Waller
Nicole Bova
Torrie Lalloway
Activity Leaders
Aiya Vaughn
Alex Jones
Jordan Johnson
Kali Bate
Kaw Tatataw
Leslie Hughbanks
Margaret Sternberg
Phoebe Cookson
Savannah Mack-Allen
Counselors
Alicia Teesdale
Arianna Raiford
Ashley Allushuski
Beck Ferris
Chale Shelton
Claire Hensley
Program Director: Maddy Webber
Operations Coordinator: Emily Manning
Administrative Assistant: Ashton Anderson
Colin Smith
Crystal Ryes
Diana Hernandez Celis
Eleanor Wollam
Elijah Sparks
Ella Burton
Emily Veith
Erin Gibbs
Ines Melin
Jamayne Acker
Jan Howland
Jonathan Watson
Jordan Evaristo
Julia Noble
Justin Rathburn
Kaalil Thurman
Kiersten Capangpangan
Kimberly Riden
Kitty Butler
Kristina Coons
Lyssa Valenzuela
Mackenzie Kaplan
Marina Biasus
Marnae Ellis
Max Lee
Maya Chambers
Morgan Matacale
Olivia Bakion
Payton Caldwell
Payton Lamb
Sarah Grace Hammons
Sarah Wiederhold
Serenidy Benton
ShaMiracle Thomas
Skylar Taylor
Sofie Turck
Tekeara Madlock
Tina Mao
Toph Smith
Xingling Yu
Zo Cook
Medical Support
Tina Harris, RN
Caroline Montgomery
Edd Shope
Katie Zimmerman
Volunteers
Gage Family
Hope Ehlert
King Aditya
“Camp Royall is a place where joy shines in every smile, where friendships are built on acceptance and laughter.“
“It’sthanmore a camp, it’s a family.”
Year-Round Camp Opportunities
Summer Camp offers an amazing overnight camp experience for children in kindergarten through high school, with additional weeks for young adults and older adults. Campers spend a week at camp with other children in their age group and together enjoy hayrides, campfires, time in the pool, arts and crafts, and so much more. A 1:1 or 1:2 camper-to-counselor ratio ensures each camper’s needs are known and supported. Scholarships are offered to ensure no camper is turned away due to financial hardship.
Family Fun Days & Family Overnight Camping gives families a chance to join us for a Family Fun Day from 12 noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday or stay overnight for Family Overnight Camping. For families new to Camp Royall, it is a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with the camp experience. For those who have been to Camp Royall before, it is a great way to enjoy camp together. Both experiences offer a full camp experience! Family scholarships are available.
Overnight Camps are offered during winter, and spring school breaks for campers of all ages, beginning at age four. Campers receive close supervision day and night from trained volunteers and staff and enjoy a counselorto-camper ratio of 1:1 or 1:2, depending on the campers’ level of need. Camps run from Sunday at 5 p.m. to Friday at 11 a.m.
Mini Camps allow campers of all ages, beginning at age four, to enjoy a miniature version of the Camp Royall summer experience and give families some respite time. The Mini Camp weekend begins on Friday at 5 p.m. and ends at noon on Sunday. Supervision is provided at a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2 during these weekends.
Adult Retreats are a chance for independent adults, 18 years and older, to enjoy time with friends at Camp Royall. Retreats kick off Friday evening with dinner and activities. Saturday includes leisure and recreational activities; and Sunday offers more hangout time before a noon checkout. Compared to other Camp Royall programs, the supervision level during Adult Retreats is low. There is limited supervision in the cabins, and participants administer their own medications. New participants are screened by camp staff to make sure they are a good fit for the program. Weekend retreats are offered once a month in the fall (September–November) and in the spring (January–March). We also host week-long Adult Retreats three times a year—one each in the fall, spring, and summer running from Sunday to Friday.
Teen Retreats are a chance for independent teens, 13 to 22 years of age, to enjoy time with friends at Camp Royall. Retreats kick off Friday evening with dinner and activities. Saturday includes leisure and recreational activities; and Sunday offers more hangout time before a noon checkout. Compared to other Camp Royall programs, the supervision level during Teen Retreats is low. There is limited supervision in the cabins, and participants administer their own medications. New participants are screened by camp staff to make sure they are a good fit for the program.
Teen Social Group offers independent teens (ages 13 to 22) the opportunity to work on building friendships and working on social interactions in a group setting. The group meets one Tuesday a month, from September to May, from 5 - 7:30 p.m. Dinner is included.
Adult Social Group offers independent adults (ages 18+) the opportunity to work on building friendships and building social skills in a group setting. The group meets one Tuesday a month, September to May, from 5 - 7:30 p.m. Dinner is included.
Adult Immersion Week-long Camp gives participants (age 18+) a fun camp experience with recreation and leisure activities but also immerses them in independent living where they exercise skills such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and house care. Participants are responsible for helping with vital processes for the week including preparing meals, cleaning up after meals, maintaining their living space, etc. Participants also go into the community and build job skills in different settings.
Apply for 2026 Programs
Camp Royall
Beginning November 1, 2025, applications for the Camp Royall Summer Camp lottery will be available online. The application deadline for summer camp is January 15, 2026. Applications for spring 2026 programs are also available online beginning November 1, with an application deadline of December 15, 2025. After the application period ends, families are still able to apply for any remaining places and/ or be added to our waitlists.
Thanks to the generous support of our donors, we are able to offer financial assistance so applicants of all income levels may participate in camp. If you are unable to pay the full cost, please complete the Scholarship Assistance Application on our registration website at camproyall.org or call the Camp Royall office for more details at 919-5421033. g
Camp Royall Wish List
Camp Royall is a busy place and with so many campers engaging in camp life, we are always in need of more supplies. We are grateful for material donations like those listed below. For your convenience, we have also created an Amazon list: https://a.co/1pv5ydD where you can find specific items and order easily online. Thank you!
General Program Wishes:
• Bluetooth wireless speakers
• Musical instruments
• Magnetic tiles
• Pool toys
• Gym equipment (yoga balls, tumbling mats, balls)
• Board games (new or like-new)
• Books (new or like-new)
• Coloring books (new or like-new)
• Dry erase board
Arts & Crafts Wishes:
• Glue/glue sticks
• Scissors (of all sizes)
• Paint (fabric paint, tempera paint, face paint, watercolors, finger paint)
• Painting supplies (brushes, small paint containers, watercolor paper, canvas)
• Pipe cleaners
• Glitter
• Air dry modeling clay
• Ziploc baggies (sandwich-size and gallon-size)
• Bubble solution
• Toilet paper
• Liquid hand soap
• Shaving foam
• Hand sanitizer
• Baby wipes
• Clorox wipes
• Laundry detergent
• Powder-free Nitrile disposable gloves
• Shower curtain liners
• Paper cups (3 oz.)
• Power strips
• Digital timers
• Charging cords (old Apple chargers, lightning chargers, Android, USB plugins)
• Velcro dots
• Flashlights
• Night lights (and bulbs)
• Batteries (AA and AAA and D)
• Puzzles (new or like new)
• Digital timers
• Laminating sheets (to be used in a hot laminator)
• Fishing gear (cane poles, rod and reel, bobbers, hooks etc.)
• Paddle boats
• Golf carts
• Four-wheel drive pickup truck
• Insulated portable cooler
• Beads (not too small) and plastic string for beading
• Noise-canceling headphones
• Sensory toys
• Chewie tubes
• Construction paper
• Laminating pouches
• Googly eyes
• Plain white T-shirts of all sizes (youth smalladult 4XL)
• Tie-dye Supplies
• Dry-erase markers (thin)
• Sharpie markers
• Markers
• Blue painter’s tape
• Cardstock (any size or color)
For more about our Camp Royall Amazon Wish List scan this QR code.
You Can Help
How does ASNC’s Camp Royall change lives?
Camp Royall is the oldest and largest camp program in the world for individuals of all ages with autism, serving more than 3,000 individuals with autism and their families each year. Camp experiences provide an opportunity for exploration, for making friends, and for trying new and exciting activities. Campers can be their most authentic selves as they gain confidence, achieve greater independence, and experience significant personal growth. They return home with skills once thought unattainable by their families, like the ability to make and be a friend.
What
are Camp Royall’s needs?
Camp Scholarships: : Providing summer camp scholarships each year is the most critical need. Due to the additional financial demands of caring for a child with autism, most families are unable to afford the $2,600 per week for their child to attend camp and receive the benefits of a week with specialized staff. Fundraising for camp scholarships is a yearround focus. Each year more than $450,000 is needed to make summer camp possible for families in need.
Program/Facility Donations: Providing program supplies and maintaining a 133-acre facility is expensive. In-kind and financial donations help offset these costs. Current needs include arts and crafts supplies, sensory toys, and technology items.
Planning for Our Future: As we look to the future and the growing number of children and families who depend on our services, we must continue to update and expand our facilities.
How can you help?
More than 88 cents of every dollar we raise is used for services that directly affect people with autism. Every dollar raised stays within North Carolina, helping people who live and work in our local communities. Contact Chief Development Officer Kristy White to discuss partnership opportunities including individual gifts, named scholarships, planned giving, connections to corporations or foundations, and other opportunities to get involved.
Our Camp Royall families say it best...
I am so grateful for the scholarship my son gets to go to camp. Without it, Camp Royall would not be possible for us. It means a week of fun and growth for Vincent, and it gives me some important time for myself.
Camp Royall is an amazing space for both families and people with autism. I am very thankful to have found it and will continue to support it in any way I can.
We are excited about what is happening today as a result of our efforts. We are even more excited about what can happen with your help. g
Contact Information
Kristy White
Chief Development Officer 5121 Kingdom Way, Suite 100 Raleigh, NC 27607 • 919-865-5086 kwhite@autismsociety-nc.org
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