Isaac Kelley concentrated as he gently swooped his “fishing rod” over a paper fish he made.

There was a soft “click” of the magnets inside the fish’s mouth, and the 15-year-old teen was able to hook the fish, resulting in Camp Just For Me staff clapping enthusiastically within the Hormel Historic Home on Monday afternoon. Kelley grinned and indicated that he wanted to try again.

Camp Just For Me and All Access Community Explorations Camp programs started their first session for the summer, servicing a wide array of children and teens on the autism spectrum, and providing a “summer camp experience” for them, according to Holly Johnson, director of the Hormel Historic Home.

“The amount of awareness for these programs has been amazing,” Johnson said.

Both programs have helped youth on the autism spectrum, but with subtle differences in approach.Started in 2015, Camp Just For Me offers an educational and fun experience for children on the autism spectrum who may need more individualized support and benefit from one-on-one staffing. Campers generally range from ages 7 to 17 and are staffed by special education professionals primarily from the Austin Public Schools and Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea/Austin, said Kate Jordal, director of Camp Just For Me.

“(The program) hopefully gives respite for families,” Jordal said. “With all these programs, we’re hoping it increases better understanding. The goal is to increase comfort in the community.”

Camp Just For Me’s structure is more focused on an individual camper than All Access Community, but still provides opportunities to experience games, art, music and community outings, such as heading over to the Tendermaid and going to the library, while being supported by qualified staff.

“We created this camp, so any kid can have a camp experience,” Jordal added.

Since 2011, All Access Community Explorations addressed the needs of young adults on the autism spectrum entering 6th grade all the way up to senior year of high school. The five week, 10-session camp, focuses on helping campers learn new skills and use them in new situations, such as going into a restaurant and budgeting for a meal, finding solutions to pay the bill and becoming more independent.

Erin Dilley-Jones, director of All Access, shared that she’s seen the attitudes of the community slowly shift toward how the public perceives individualson the autism spectrum. Camps like All Access Community Explorations allows businesses and other community partners to get educated on interacting with those on the autism spectrum and gives campers a chance to learn more about the city.

Sometimes, campers may not necessarily have had opportunities to learn more about how to be independent, Dilley-Jones said, and that through the camp, students are also able to engage with friends and learn skills to help themselves, such as making a healthy snack and work on problem-solving skills if the budget for a meal  ends up “going over.” The camp also helps the community understand more about interacting with individuals on the autism spectrum, even their loved ones.

“With education, parents are able to know that their kids are able to be independent,” she said. “This really works, and the program’s success speaks volumes. It’s been amazing. They’re getting out into the real world to learn real life stuff.”