Sponsored by Fantastic Magic Camp

Campers at Fantastic Magic Camp will learn some magic tricks, along with some juggling skills, puppetry involving both arts and crafts and performing, comedy improvisation, storytelling, balloon sculpting, and much more. Every day campers get to watch performances by some of Austin’s best magicians and variety performers.

Campers will also have fun dressing up for special theme days like “Time Travel Tuesday”, Wizarding Wednesday” and “Carnival Day” with carnival games and amazing prizes.

But the “Real Magic” lies elsewhere.

Some recent comments by parents of campers point to the real source of the magic at the camp.

– “The real magic here is in the inclusive, welcoming environment they create for all kids. Truly a fantastic camp! My kids look forward to participating every summer.”
– “A camp that accepts and empowers kids to be comfortable with themselves.”
– “Our twins have enjoyed three joyful summers at Fantastic Magic. The staff is caring and meet the children where they are. The curriculum gives children the space to learn, build confidence, and develop social skills. Also, for some reason, the kids at this camp seem to be self-selecting for kindness!”
– “Both of my children have been Magic Campers for years, and my oldest is now a counselor. It’s a highlight of their summer! In addition to the fun content of the camp, we love the open, welcoming spirit of this camp community and its diversity.”

How do they accomplish this magic? The answer is simple, by having the right staff. Over twenty years ago, the camp issued a policy that only people who had previously been campers could work at the camp. The camp is now also owned by ex-campers. To accomplish this goal, the camp created a program called the Youth Leader Training Academy. The program is open to every camper who has aged out of the camp. Every year they go through forty to seventy hours of intense training in team building, leadership, first aid, teaching skills, customer service, and working with people with special needs. Before they are allowed any form of responsibility with the campers, they must also have at least 160 hours of “on-the-job” training. By the time a counselor is old enough to be considered to apply for a staff position, each counselor has gone through 200 to 350 hours of training and over four thousand hours of “hands-on” experience. Other camps, with college-aged leaders have sent their teams to learn from this fantastic group of camp leaders who truly understand what it is like to be a camper at Fantastic Magic Camp.

Fantastic Magic Camp is a “mainstream camp” that understands and embraces the notion that all children (and adults) have special needs. The camp doesn’t just accommodate special needs, it celebrates them and encourages campers to do the same. The main rule at the camp is “Have fun and help others have fun too.”

Centrally located in Austin’s family friendly Crestview/Brentwood neighborhood, Fantastic Magic Camp offers winter, spring sessions for children ages five to 12 plus six summer sessions for children ages seven to 12 and three one-week sessions of Fantastic Magic Camp Jr. for five and six-year-olds.

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