FARMINGTON – Last week was 10-year-old Devon Kaufman’s first time attending summer camp. Kaufman was one of 17 children who benefited from the Autism Society of Maine’s free two-week day camp at the University of Maine at Farmington.

Camp Summit is not a school, said Trisha Turgeon, program coordinator for the camp. The focus of the program is to teach children with autism or Asperger’s Syndrome better socialization skills. Most of the camp’s participants have Asperger’s Syndrome, a higher-functioning form of autism. People with the syndrome have poor socialization skills, avoid eye contact and have difficulty making friends. There are at least 1,200 children in Maine affected by these diseases, according to the society.

Campers participate in a variety of activities, including games, crafts, swimming and field trips. There is a minimum one-to-one ratio of counselors to kids, with the more challenging participants assigned two counselors.

The camp, in its second year, also provides educational opportunities for UMF students ,who serve as counselors. They receive three academic credits for their participation.

Lying in a cushioned, round pen and wrapped in a blanket, Devon, of Windsor, spoke of his experience with the camp. He recalled playing games and visiting a miniature golf course. His favorite activity took place at a playground in Skowhegan recently.

“It was really big and there was lots of stuff,” he said.

Social issues were also on his mind.

“I try to make friends with everybody,” he said, admitting that it doesn’t always work out.

Several of the counselors remarked that Devon wants to make friends with everybody. Counselor Pamela Nixon related that on Devon’s first day, which was actually the second day of the program, he introduced himself to each of the campers, asking their names and offering a handshake, she said.

Turgeon explained that they use behavior modification, mostly preferred activities, as incentives to help “train” the children toward better social skills.

“You always need of bag of tricks,” she said, adding that there is nothing typical with these kids. Something that works with one may not with another.

She said the look on the kids’ faces when they’ve accomplished something new is what keeps her coming back.

“It makes my heart glow, I love it,” she said, “and I want more.”

Autism wasn’t in the dictionary when Ellie Duley went to school. Program coordinator for the camp, she is also the mother of an autistic child.

She said her biggest challenge working for the camp is learning the diverse personalities of the campers and learning what works best for them.

Her challenge becomes her greatest joy, though, when she sees the results of her hard work.

“At the end of the week, when kids know what I expect, I feel like I’ve gotten through. Their behavior reflects the work I’ve done with them,” she said.

The society hopes to be able to offer the program to more children next summer by expanding to Bangor, Turgeon said.

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