spotlight
CAMP BENNY:
BY MADELINE PISTORIUS SUMMER CAMP FOR EVERY KID
S ummer camp is one of those childhood experiences many kids look forward to all year—making new friends, trying new activities, getting a little messy, and enjoying a little independence. But for children with higher support needs, finding a camp that can safely and comfortably support them isn’t always easy. A program of the Beignet Fest Foundation, Camp Benny was created to give autistic children an inclusive summer camp where they share in these milestones. For Executive Director Sherwood Collins, the need was personal. In the past, his family had utilized various summer camps that weren’t prepared or equipped to provide a reasonable experience for his son. The foundation wanted to create an option where children on the spectrum could have opportunities throughout the summer that felt like a traditional camp adventure. “Otherwise, there are very few opportunities for children on the spectrum in Greater New Orleans all summer long,” Collins says. Camp Benny’s approach starts with being intentional about the entire camp experience. Collins says that includes everything from the application process and staff recruitment to
training, site setup, and programming. The camp also uses high counselor-to-camper ratios and volunteer buddies, ensuring there are plenty of people available to provide hands-on support when campers need it. But additional support doesn’t mean taking away the fun. Campers can enjoy water play, crafts, and other activities, along with traditions like Camper of the Week awards. These details help Camp Benny feel like a true summer camp rather than a clinical or therapeutic setting. “We didn’t want it to feel like another occupational therapy or ABA appointment,” Collins says. “We want the kids to simply have fun, ensuring the accommodations these children may need to thrive.” Collins says it’s meaningful to hear parents say that their kids will be included and championed instead of ostracized and excluded. During Camp Benny’s first week, one parent told the team she was amazed to have a complete day without interruption, which she considered unusual, because she would normally be called to pick up her child from camp.
Camp Benny is one part of the Beignet Fest Foundation’s larger mission to support the autism community in Greater New Orleans. Proceeds from Beignet Fest help fund programs like Camp Benny, and since the annual festival began in 2016, the organization has raised more than $3 million toward its mission. This year’s Beignet Fest returns to City Park in November with food, music, a sensory- friendly Kids Village, and VIP experiences, giving families plenty to enjoy while supporting programs that create more opportunities for autistic children and their families. At Camp Benny, the goal is simple: give kids a summer camp experience where they can play, make friends, try new things, and participate in ways that work for them. With art, music, movement, outdoor play, and plenty of opportunities to simply have fun, Camp Benny makes room for every camper to enjoy summer and simply be themselves.
To learn more about Camp Benny and the Beignet Fest Foundation, visit campbennynola.org and beignetfest.com/ charitable-cause/beignet-fest-foundation.
“That relief is huge in its comfort and freedom,” Collins says.
10 NOVEMBER 2026 | NOLAFAMILY.COM
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