The Autism Society of North Carolina is pleased to share some important Camp Royall updates.
After many years as camp director, Sara Gage recently resigned her position with Camp Royall to pursue new opportunities. She has been a central figure in the life of Camp Royall and has impacted the lives of countless campers and their families. We thank Sara for her remarkable service to Camp Royall and the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC). We wish her all the very best in her new endeavors.
MaKia Aikens: new Camp Royall Director
Effective immediately, MaKia Aikens assumes the role of Camp Royall Director. MaKia has been dedicated to the autism community for many years and is a long-time member of the Camp Royall community. A native of Greensboro, NC, she now calls Goldston home. Her love of nature and the outdoors combined with her desire to help and support others led MaKia to Camp Royall in 2018. She began her tenure as a camp counselor. She quickly assumed more responsibility in various leadership roles including Camp Program Coordinator and Assistant Camp Director, a position she has held for the last two years.
āIāve worked in different roles,ā MaKia says, ālearning from campers, staff, and families along the way. Each program has deepened my love for this community and reinforced my belief in the power of camp. These experiences have shaped me both personally and professionally. Iām honored to step into the role of Camp Royall Director and continue building on the incredible foundation that makes Camp Royall so special.ā
In her new role as director, MaKia is committed to creating a welcoming and enriching environment for campers. āI believe in the power of community and the joy that camp experiences bring. I want to continue fostering a space where campers feel safe, celebrated, and free to be themselves. I look forward to building meaningful connections with campers, families, and staff.Ā Iām excited to bring fresh ideas to camp traditions, create new opportunities for growth, and foster an environment where both campers and staff can thrive.ā
Maddy Webber: Camp Royall Program Director
Also effective immediately, Maddy Webber assumes the role of Camp Royall Program Director. In this new camp position, Maddy will focus her efforts on developing meaningful programming for the campās summer program as well as its year-round teen and adult programs. A native of South Carolina, Maddy moved to North Carolina four years ago, and like MaKia, she has been a part of the Camp Royall community for several years. She began her camp tenure in 2018 as a direct-care summer counselor before moving into her most recent role as an assistant director. āFrom my first days here,ā says Maddy, āCamp Royall has been a place of love, support, and enthusiasm for campers, families, and staff alike. It provides an open and accepting space where everyone can be themselvesāit is a truly unique experience.ā
āWhat I love most about Camp Royallā Maddy shares, āis its unwavering commitment to meeting campers where they are and celebrating them for exactly who they are from the moment they arrive. Being able to merge my love for recreational activities with my background in speech therapy has been incredibly fulfilling. This experience has not only shaped me as a speech therapist but has also strengthened my ability to advocate for and celebrate neurodiverse communities.ā
As the new program director, Maddy looks to continue fostering a community where programs promote individuality, connection, and inclusion for all. āI am deeply grateful for all that Camp Royall has given me throughout my journey. I look forward to helping others find their own place within this incredible community.ā
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About Camp Royall
Camp Royall, the nationās largest and oldest camp for individuals with autism, is located on a 133-acre site near Pittsboro, North Carolina, Camp Royall offers residential and day camp programming year-round for children and adults with autism. Programs include overnight summer camp, Family Fun Days, Family Camping, mini-camps, adult retreats, residential camps and day camps during school breaks, teen retreats, and Teen Tuesday (social groups for teens).
Campers enjoy typical camp activities, including swimming, arts and crafts, hiking, hayrides, and boating. All activities take place in a structured environment and campers receive close supervision from highly trained staff. The counselor-to-camper ratio is 1:1 or 1:2, depending on a camperās level of need. More information about camp and programming is available on the Camp Royall webpage.
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