Our Story
Building communication, connection, and community since 2008.
It All Started with a Simple Belief:
Every person deserves the opportunity to communicate, connect, and participate fully in the world around them.
In 2008, this belief spurred the creation of a 2-hour, after-camp camp for 5 complex communicators and their 1:1 communication partners, established through parent advocacy and clinician creativity to offer these AAC users with opportunities to build communication skills through meaningful relationships, engaging activities, and authentic participation. In 2009, the after-camp camp became The Camp, and Camp Commūnicāre opened for 4 hours a day, 4 days a week, for a full 5 weeks.
From the very beginning, Commūnicāre’s AAC Camp was envisioned as more than a camp. It was created as a collaborative learning community where AAC users, their caregivers and communication partners, graduate student clinicians, educators, and experienced professionals could learn alongside one another. Communication was never confined to therapy sessions; it became part of every story, game, conversation, and shared experience throughout the day.
Over the years, Commūnicāre’s AAC Camp has welcomed hundreds of campers and helped prepare the next generation of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and AAC professionals through immersive, mentored clinical experiences. At the same time, families have found a community that celebrates each child's strengths while providing practical support, encouragement, and lasting connections.
As Commūnicāre continued to grow, so did its impact. Following the 2019 camp, leadership naturally evolved. Hillary continued leading Camp Commūnicāre each summer, while Nerissa expanded Commūnicāre's year-round community programming, AAC consultation, and educational initiatives. Although their work took different forms, both remained committed to the same mission: creating meaningful communication opportunities and building communities where every voice is valued.
Today, AAC Camp continues to be a place where communication comes to life. Campers discover new ways to express themselves. Families, caregivers, and communication partners build confidence and connection. Graduate student clinicians develop the knowledge and skills that will shape their future careers. Experienced professionals mentor the next generation while continuing to learn from them alongside the remarkable AAC users, their caregivers, and 1:1s who inspire this work every day.
In 2026, Camp Commūnicāre returns to Holyoke, the community where Commūnicāre first began. This year marks a special chapter as Hillary and Nerissa reunite to lead camp together once again, bringing nearly two decades of shared experience, innovation, and collaboration back to the place where the Camp Commūnicāre story started.
While much has grown since 2008, the heart of AAC Camp remains unchanged:
Communication is about more than words. It is about relationships, belonging, and creating opportunities for every voice to be heard.
We are honored to welcome you to AAC Camp and to the community that continues to grow around it.
19
Summers of Community
Building communication, connection, and confidence since 2008.
350+
Campers
and Families
Creating joyful communication experiences together.
75+
Graduate Clinicians Mentored
Preparing the next generation of AAC professionals.
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