Registration for Camp ALWAYS is now open! To be eligible, you must have at least one child (age 0-21) at the adoptive placement state or beyond, placed through AASK or Alameda, San Luis Obispo or Stanislaus counties. Please read all information accompanying the registration form carefully, as location, lodging and payment amount have changed from last year.

To download the 2010 Camp ALWAYS registration form and information sheets, click here

At AASK, we believe that the adoptive process is a lifelong journey that has only just begun when an adoption is finalized. We place great value on continuing to support our families as they grow and take on new challenges.

AASK facilitates Camp ALWAYS (A Life With Adoption Yields Success), now in its ninth season. For five days in July, 125 adoptive parents and children are able to escape to a beautiful nature setting, now in the heart of the Santa Cruz redwoods, for education, respite, community-building and recreation.

Some of the attractive features of Camp ALWAYS include:

    * Workshops and trainings for parents, covering topics ranging from Special Education to Child Development to Art Therapy
    * Sports fun, including volleyball, softball and a swimming pool with lifeguard
    * Camp activities, including arts and crafts, nature walks, dances, songs and campfires
    * Lodging in spacious cabins
    * Bonding activities and relaxation time
    * Beautiful outdoor setting
    * All activities staffed by talented AASK and County social workers, along with college-aged staff
    * All meals, snacks and maintenance tasks taken care of by Camp staff
    * Most of all, our amazing and diverse adoptive families

In 2003, Camp ALWAYS was recognized with the Adoption Excellence Award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In 2004, Camp ALWAYS received another award from the California State Association of Counties.

As with our foster care and adoption services, we believe in making this important supportive program as economically accessible as possible. Camp ALWAYS is offered to eligible families at $50 per family member.

Camp ALWAYS is sponsored by grants from Irwin Home Equity Foundation, along with generous private donations.