Dub-C Autism Program (D-CAP)

West Chester University  proudly presents the College Autism Readiness Retreat (CARR).

 AT WEST UNIVERSITY CAMPUS 

Participants: Up and rising junior and senior high school students on the autism spectrum, intending on pursuing a 4 year undergraduate degree

When: June 23-25, 2025 (3 days, 2 nights)

Location: West Chester University

Cost: $450 this includes residence hall stay and meals in the dining hall.

• Payment of Check only please. Check only payable to: West Chester University- CARR
• Funding may be available through Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). 

Goal: To provide overnight, on campus, experience that will assist students with ASD to prepare for college

Objectives:

• To live in a Residence Hall overnight
• To access the Dining Hall
• To acquire information, destinations, and experiences with Campus services (including: Health and Wellness Services, Psychological and Counseling Services, Student Success Center and Tutoring Services, Autism resources).
• To tour and experience various on-campus facilities (including the Student Recreational Center, Library, the Student Union, and Bookstore, Dining Halls, Residential Buildings and Academic Buildings)
• To participate in a variety of Classroom/Activity formats (small classroom and lecture halls)
• To acquire, practice, and/or generalize college classroom etiquette and communication skills
• To learn and differentiate the difference between entitlement and eligibility (IDEA vs ADA) for high school to higher education.

Participants: Up and rising Seniors, with Autism, who plan on attending a 2 or 4-year post-secondary education

Location: West Chester University

Dates:  July 7-11, 2025

Duration: 5 days/ 4 nights

Cost: $950 this includes residence hall stay and meals

• Funding may be available through Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR).

Goal: To provide an overnight, on campus, experience that will enhance the previous skills acquired in previous CARR program or post-secondary preparatory programs while providing a commuter and residential expectation of college.

Objectives:

• Experience campus life, commuter style and residential style
• Access dining hall options
• Practice skills of self-determination, social, time management, independence, community integration, safety, problem solving, and communication.
• Acquire information and experiences with Campus services including: Health and Wellness Services, Psychological and Counseling Services, OEA, Trans and Queer Advocacy, D-CAP, and LARC
• Tour and experience various on-campus facilities including the Student Recreational Center, the Library, the Student Union Building, the Student Bookstore, Dining Halls, Residential Buildings and Academic Buildings
• Participate in a variety of Classroom/Activity formats (e.g. lecture, lab, studio, structured, unstructured)
• Talk with current students with ASD about experiences
• Learn about additional post-secondary education programs that support autistic students, besides West Chester University.
• Acquire, practice, and/or generalize college classroom etiquette and communication skills
• Create and deliver a presentation on experience as well as skills acquired and needed to transition to college
• Learn the difference between entitlement and eligibility (IDEA vs ADA) for high school to higher education.

College Autism Readiness Retreat 3 (CARR 3)  

Participants:
High School Students (New graduates, 18 years +)
Does not have to attend CARR or CARR2 to participate in CARR 3
Can have previous Higher Ed experience

When: July 14-25, 2025 (including overnight through a weekend)

Location: West Chester University

Cost: $2500.00 this includes residence hall stay and meals.

• Funding may be available through Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). 

Goal: To provide an overnight, on campus, experience that will enhance the previous skills acquired in previous CARR programs or post-secondary preparatory programs while providing a more realistic expectation of college life for students with ASD

Objectives:

• To reside in a residence hall and participate in the scheduled activities 
• To access the variety of meal plan options (dining hall, Rambucks, Meal swipes, and cash).
• To learn and practice budgeting skills
• To attend workshops via campus resources to acquire/review skills in the areas of resiliency, stress management, study skills, budgeting, self-advocacy, and classroom etiquette.
• To participate in activities and workshops to learn more about majors-to-careers, employment opportunities, volunteer experiences, and early start programs.
• To identify, locate, and receive information on the different campus resources including the career development center, writing center, tutoring, public safety, counseling, LGBTQA, DCAP/ My Place, Disability services
• To develop a personal schedule that includes time set aside for everyday activities such as meals, self-care/downtime and transition from one activity to the next.
• To create a personal schedule that incorporates time for group projects or meet-ups with people having various schedules
• To learn and differentiate the difference between entitlement and eligibility (IDEA vs ADA) for high school to higher education.