VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WVEC) -- Kelskids Summer Camp is an adapted aquatics program. Kellie Maier designed it for children with special needs and their siblings and friends, too.
We spoke to Lisa Rupe, mother of three kids. Her oldest child, 15-year-old Kyle was diagnosed with autism, her 12-year-old daughter Ella is neurotypical, and her youngest son, 8-year-old Michael, is missing an arm.
It has been the bonding experience of a lifetime for her family.
Rupe says, "Almost like being normal! All my kids can go to the same camp together."
She says it is a first for her family. Kellie Maier taught Michael how to paddle board, despite missing an arm.
He oozes confidence. Michael says, "A lot of people don't think that i can do it... but I can. It is simple!"
His big sister Ella, was right there with him. Their mom smiles at the memory.
"Ella is actually on the board behind him."
Ella says she enjoyed bonding with her brother over a water sport, and then hanging around the house.
"It was great having Michael paddle beside me."
But then there's the story of what Kelskids has done for her 15-year-old son, Kyle, her child with autism.
"He almost drowned one summer."
The CDC and National Autism Association said that in 2011, drowning was the number one cause of death for children with autism who roam.
Rupe says thankfully, he could call for help. "He can tread water, but he can't propel himself. So he got in the pool with Kellie... and now he's on the Special Olympics team!"
This summer, Rupe hopes to see Kyle advance in his physical ability.
"I think he's got a lot more core strength than he used to. That's why I want to get him up on the board this summer. I think he can do it."
Maeir says that's what her what her Kelskids is all about: no matter the limitation, for every kid to leave thinking like Michael.
Maeir says they offer scholarships based on a family's needs, which you can find on the Kelskids' website.
Thank you to those who sent us your recommendations for summer camps, unfortunately we could not feature them all on 13News Now at Daybreak, but we would like to recognize them here: