OVERVIEW
Chatter Matters Communication Camp is an overnight summer camp for children ages 5-18 who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and their immediate family members. Camp is held on an accessible college campus at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.

Chatter Matters provides a wide range of activities designed to support AAC users. Through activities such as cooking, arts & crafts, adaptive sports, yard games, bowling, prom, and talent show, campers improve social use of their communication device, build lasting friendships, and create family memories and connections with others who use AAC.

IMPORTANT DATES

• Camp Dates: June 18 - June 21, 2026
• Application Period:
  • Opens: November 4, 2025
  • Deadline: January 15, 2026 - THE APPLICATION PERIOD FOR 2026 IS NOW CLOSED. 

FAMILY PARTICIPATION
Parents and siblings (up to age 18) are encouraged to join in on the fun and learning and connect with other families. LIMIT 5 PEOPLE PER FAMILY.

CAMP TEAM
Camp volunteers include AAC specialists, professional mentors, and graduate/undergraduate students in speech-language pathology and other related fields.

COST
$500 per participant - includes: lodging, meals, camp activities and supplies (e.g., arts & crafts, bowling, talent show, dance party, adaptive sports), parent education opportunities, and at least a 1:2 adult-to-AAC user ratio.

FUNDING OPTIONS

• Chatter Matters is held at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater which is an approved provider for the Children's Long-Term Support Program (CLTS) through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Contact your CLTS Support and Service Coordinator to learn how to use CLTS funds for camp.
• A limited number of needs-based camp scholarships are available. Please email contact@varietywi.org or call 262-777-2090 to learn more.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Interested in volunteering at Chatter Matters? Apply below! Volunteer opportunities are available for professionals and students pursuing Speech Language Pathology or related fields.

How to Apply to Volunteer

Step 1: Complete a Volunteer Application
https://forms.gle/upmRXf3QDKwqoMW78

Step 2: Sign up for an interview
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W8c0MRbkEu-BUtfJDsp0TEgY2UfCJDFgURRJSOl71FA/edit?usp=sharing

Step 3: Review Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:ac85950e-0f3e-4fa5-8140-41ed1c2f586b

Click here to watch a Chatter Matters Video!