HORDVILLE, Neb.- Operation Shine Camp welcomes autistic kids for yet another weekend full of activities in central Nebraska.

The Kids and Dreams Foundation was created about 10 years ago because of a need. Founder and Executive Director Aaron Bly says his son was diagnosed with autism at the age of three, so he and his wife decided to do something about it and provide help and support for families. That’s how Operation Shine camp was born. 

“We really were looking for things that other organizations weren’t doing and there wasn’t another camp for kids with autism in Nebraska like this,” he said. 

The first year they had 24 kids. Now in their 8th year, they have had three camps totaling 127 kids.

Some of the activities offered at the camp are arts and crafts, swimming, fishing, archery, crate stacking and sensory activities. 

Tristin Christensen has been a regular volunteer at the camp and loves it.

“I love that like it just brings everyone together and it just a bunch of like-minded people helping kids have the like the most amazing weekend ever,“ she said. 

Bly says the camp is a learning experience for the kids.

“What we’ve seen is that kids gain so much self-confidence and independence. Ninety-five percent of these kids have never been away from mom and dad overnight, so they are staying two nights with strangers. Just for those families to trust us with their kids is huge,” he said. 

Each camper has two big campers who have been carefully selected for them. Trained professionals and nursing staff are on site 24/7. 

Christensen says the kids have taught her some things. 

“I have learned to not say 'no' so much or to assume that they can’t do things, because this camp amazes me every time because the second I think like, ‘oh this kid won’t be able to do that or they won’t like that,’ they go and they do it,” she said. 

The Kids and Dream Foundation will be raising funds to support operation shine camps on July 17 at the Meadowlark Hills Golf Course.