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Marc Boutilier attended the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine’s Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) Camp Alberta for the first time when he was just eight years old. Now 18, he has returned every year since, a testament to the camp’s lasting impact.

“AAC Camp was the first of its kind in Canada,” says Gail Boutilier, Marc’s mother. “I thought it was fantastic that people were offering this support for AAC users where they could get together and see there were other kids using these devices to speak. 

“Marc has rarely been around other kids who use AAC, so I think that was the biggest draw for me initially.”

Marc thrived at camp, making connections and getting adrenaline rushes on the high ropes course, which Gail notes was one of his favourite activities. She adds that the playful environment of camp allowed Marc to engage with his AAC device in a different way than he typically did at home. Surrounded by others who spoke the way he did — typing words into a device that would then read them aloud — he became more spontaneous, using the device to tell jokes and share teenage quips rather than just communicating the essentials. 

“At camp, he seems to really understand that he can use this device to truly express himself,” says Boutilier. 

The sense of community Boutilier describes is something speech-language pathologist has witnessed first-hand. A practising clinician who works in the area of augmentative alternative communication, Travers began volunteering at AAC Camp in its second year, and since then, she hasn’t missed a summer. When she joined the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine two years ago, the passionate volunteer became one of the camp’s co-organizers.

“People with communication disabilities often are not included in many camps or fun, social activities,” says Travers. “AAC Camp is this truly inclusive experience for kids and their families. They’re able to make friends and create their own communities amongst each other.”

Each camper is paired with a student in the faculty’s speech-language pathology, occupational therapy or physical therapy programs who is there to offer one-on-one support throughout the weekend. 

“It’s amazing because I’m so used to having to explain everything to everybody. At camp, they just knew. They were ready for the different kinds of communication, they knew exactly what to do,” says Gail. “That’s a rare experience.” 

Matthew Halter, a master’s student in the speech-language pathology program at Augustana Campus, was initially drawn to the field because of his experiences working at an independent living complex for seniors. He envisioned working with adult patients like stroke survivors who are relearning how to speak. But when Travers spoke to students about the camp, her enthusiasm was infectious — he ended up volunteering last summer, and was paired with Marc. 

“It was a great experience and very eye-opening,” says Halter. “I kind of went into speech language pathology thinking that while I could learn how to work with children, I didn’t really foresee myself going down that route. AAC Camp definitely changed that.”

Halter urges other students in the program to consider volunteering even if they don’t have a wealth of experience with augmentative and alternative communication — he didn’t either. “You have the resources there, so just go into it with an open mind, ready to have fun with the campers.” 

Next year will be Marc’s last AAC Camp — the family camp is aimed at children aged six to 19 — but Gail notes they’ve formed some strong relationships with other families that she hopes to maintain. 

Many campers, like Marc, end up attending several years in a row. Travers gets a front-row seat to the bonds these campers form and the evolution they go through.

“I’ve seen these kids grow up. I’ve seen their families grow and change. We see amazing development,” says Travers. “There are also years that perhaps have been challenging for them, and we’re able to come together, to talk about strategies for coping with big transitions or unexpected changes.” 

The camp recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, and through it all, what Travers remembers most vividly is the little moments when campers have the opportunity to just be kids. The evening a group of teenage girls giggled and gossiped around the campfire late into the night. The shrieks of delight at seeing the world from a new perspective as campers in wheelchairs get the opportunity to try an adapted high ropes course for the first time. The dance, which organizers anticipated would last two hours, only to find that the campers were still tearing up the dance floor four hours later.

“We get to see where all the real, serious joy happens in our fields,” says Travers. “It’s incredible.”