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

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 contact Dua Vang-Ramirez at dua@varietywi.org or call 262-777-2092 to learn more. Se habla español.
  

HOW TO APPLY
The application process has two parts:

1. Chatter Matters Application: To be completed by the AAC user's family
2. SLP Form: To be completed by the AAC user's speech language pathologist

ALL components - including an application and SLP form - MUST be submitted by January 15th in order for the AAC user and their family to be considered for camp attendance.

CHATTER MATTERS APPLICATION - CLICK HERE TO APPLY!

SLP FORM - CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A RECOMMENDATION FOR AN AAC USER!



Click here to watch a Chatter Matters Video!