About
Camp Avanti is a summer camp program for children and adolescents that combines an engaging camp environment with intensive Occupational Therapy using Sensory Integration treatment. Campers take part in appropriate and motivating leisure activities as part of the program structure.
• Schedule: Camp Avanti dates: Sunday June 28th - Friday July 3rd, 2026
Patricia and Julia Wilbarger developed the concept of Camp Avanti in the early 80's, and the first camp was held in 1983 at Camp Cachuma in the mountains of Santa Barbara, California. Over the years, Camp Avanti has been held at Camp Cachuma in Santa Barbara, California (1983–1987), YMCA Camp St. Croix in Hudson, Wisconsin (1986–2010), YMCA Camp Icaghowan in Amery, Wisconsin (2012–2022), and True Friends Camp Courage starting in 2024. The target population for Camp Avanti has included children with sensory integrative disorders, learning disabilities, and sensory affective disorders.
Camp Avanti is part of Avanti Therapeutic Projects, a non-profit organization that also supports other projects, including a practicum program for therapists. Avanti Therapeutic Projects offers a 3 day virtual continuing education symposium with on-demand access for 45 days. The Avanti Therapeutic Projects Symposium is described as a 3 day virtual continuing education event with on-demand access for 45 days.
A founding value of Avanti Therapeutic Projects is promoting the advancement of pediatric occupational therapy by providing spaces for practitioners to come together, learn from and with one another, develop new ideas and ways to approach therapy, and explore new aspects of neurobehavioral theory. The organization states that it is a catalyst for professional development and growth through the shared expertise of participating professionals and that it increases understanding of sensory motor problems and ways to help children. Its philosophy is based on the belief, inherent in occupational therapy, that all people seek to interact with their environment in a meaningful and purposeful way, and that health results from the ability to participate successfully in tasks that are meaningful and relevant to a person’s age, interests, and roles in life. Camp Avanti states that it provides a safe environment in which campers can develop positive interpersonal relationships and improve sensorimotor skills through appropriate and motivating leisure activities, and that with these skills comes a greater sense of self-control, competence, and self-esteem.
The vision for Avanti includes three pillars: providing an intensive treatment program and safe environment for camp participants and assisting their parents in better understanding their child's behavior; providing a practical treatment course for experienced therapists coming as students as well as advanced learning for therapists on staff; and developing an environment where new aspects of neurobehavioral theory can be explored and debated. Camp Avanti was designed as a catalyst to bring together complicated theories and diverse individual needs into planned environments that could provide specific challenges for participants.
The leadership team for Avanti Therapeutic Projects includes Executive Director Angie Schoeppach, OTR/L; Continuing Education Director Jaymie Stavdal, MS, OTR/L; Board President Kristina Keenan, MOTR/L; Board Secretary Katie Saint, MS, OTR/L; Board Vice President Lise Gerard Faulise, MS, OTR/L, BCP; and Board Treasurer Aaron Ridley. Listed speakers and professionals associated with Avanti include Julia Wilbarger, Ph.D., OTR; Tracy Stackhouse, MA, OTR; Nancy Lawton-Shirley, OTR/L; Sheila Frick, OTR/L; Jaymie Stavdal, MS, OTR/L; and Sonia Story, M.S.
One parent of a 2024 camper reported that Camp Avanti was a space where their son felt safe enough to be away from his main caregiver, and that staff understood his sensory needs and met him where he was at, and described finding a camp that their son enjoyed and where his needs could be met as a “huge win” for their family. A practicum program participant described the course as rich with information and noted the dedication and passion of the staff. An Avanti therapist and board member described Camp Avanti as a place where creativity, intuition, connection, and clinical reasoning come together and stated that they return every year. Board President Kristina Keenan, MOTR/L, described Camp Avanti as a therapeutic summer camp that has become a second home, and stated that serving as Board President has allowed her to help ensure that Patricia and Julia Wilbarger’s vision remains strong and continues to reach communities worldwide.
Last updated February 25, 2026.
• Schedule: Camp Avanti dates: Sunday June 28th - Friday July 3rd, 2026
Patricia and Julia Wilbarger developed the concept of Camp Avanti in the early 80's, and the first camp was held in 1983 at Camp Cachuma in the mountains of Santa Barbara, California. Over the years, Camp Avanti has been held at Camp Cachuma in Santa Barbara, California (1983–1987), YMCA Camp St. Croix in Hudson, Wisconsin (1986–2010), YMCA Camp Icaghowan in Amery, Wisconsin (2012–2022), and True Friends Camp Courage starting in 2024. The target population for Camp Avanti has included children with sensory integrative disorders, learning disabilities, and sensory affective disorders.
Camp Avanti is part of Avanti Therapeutic Projects, a non-profit organization that also supports other projects, including a practicum program for therapists. Avanti Therapeutic Projects offers a 3 day virtual continuing education symposium with on-demand access for 45 days. The Avanti Therapeutic Projects Symposium is described as a 3 day virtual continuing education event with on-demand access for 45 days.
A founding value of Avanti Therapeutic Projects is promoting the advancement of pediatric occupational therapy by providing spaces for practitioners to come together, learn from and with one another, develop new ideas and ways to approach therapy, and explore new aspects of neurobehavioral theory. The organization states that it is a catalyst for professional development and growth through the shared expertise of participating professionals and that it increases understanding of sensory motor problems and ways to help children. Its philosophy is based on the belief, inherent in occupational therapy, that all people seek to interact with their environment in a meaningful and purposeful way, and that health results from the ability to participate successfully in tasks that are meaningful and relevant to a person’s age, interests, and roles in life. Camp Avanti states that it provides a safe environment in which campers can develop positive interpersonal relationships and improve sensorimotor skills through appropriate and motivating leisure activities, and that with these skills comes a greater sense of self-control, competence, and self-esteem.
The vision for Avanti includes three pillars: providing an intensive treatment program and safe environment for camp participants and assisting their parents in better understanding their child's behavior; providing a practical treatment course for experienced therapists coming as students as well as advanced learning for therapists on staff; and developing an environment where new aspects of neurobehavioral theory can be explored and debated. Camp Avanti was designed as a catalyst to bring together complicated theories and diverse individual needs into planned environments that could provide specific challenges for participants.
The leadership team for Avanti Therapeutic Projects includes Executive Director Angie Schoeppach, OTR/L; Continuing Education Director Jaymie Stavdal, MS, OTR/L; Board President Kristina Keenan, MOTR/L; Board Secretary Katie Saint, MS, OTR/L; Board Vice President Lise Gerard Faulise, MS, OTR/L, BCP; and Board Treasurer Aaron Ridley. Listed speakers and professionals associated with Avanti include Julia Wilbarger, Ph.D., OTR; Tracy Stackhouse, MA, OTR; Nancy Lawton-Shirley, OTR/L; Sheila Frick, OTR/L; Jaymie Stavdal, MS, OTR/L; and Sonia Story, M.S.
One parent of a 2024 camper reported that Camp Avanti was a space where their son felt safe enough to be away from his main caregiver, and that staff understood his sensory needs and met him where he was at, and described finding a camp that their son enjoyed and where his needs could be met as a “huge win” for their family. A practicum program participant described the course as rich with information and noted the dedication and passion of the staff. An Avanti therapist and board member described Camp Avanti as a place where creativity, intuition, connection, and clinical reasoning come together and stated that they return every year. Board President Kristina Keenan, MOTR/L, described Camp Avanti as a therapeutic summer camp that has become a second home, and stated that serving as Board President has allowed her to help ensure that Patricia and Julia Wilbarger’s vision remains strong and continues to reach communities worldwide.
Last updated February 25, 2026.
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