Who We Are: Our Journey to Camp Encourage
Kelly (Tebbenkamp) Lee, M.S.Ed. has always had a passion for teaching and a heart for those with special needs. She received an undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in Learning Disabilities, Behavioral Disorders, and Cognitive Impairments (K through 12). At the University of Kansas, Mrs.
Lee obtained a master degree in Special Education with an emphasis in
autism and Asperger syndrome.
Prior to her present role as Autism Education Coordinator for the Lee's Summit School District, she taught in the special education setting for seven years supporting students with various exceptionalities in the elementary and high school settings, designed and facilitated community-based social development groups for children ages twelve through eighteen, worked as a counselor at a local outdoor and diversity education camp through two summers, and served active roles for seven years of Camp Determination as a volunteer, counselor, and Director.
Attending various camps as a child, she directly knows the powerfully positive impact such experiences can have on one's character, beliefs, self-esteem, self-acceptance, and abilities.
Mrs. Lee has presented numerous times on autism spectrum related topics: general characteristics; visual supports; social, play, and relationship development; sensory supports; behavioral strategies; early childhood intensive programming; picture based facilitated communication, and Applied Behavior Analysis / Discrete Trial Teaching and has personally attended numerous workshops and trainings throughout the states on autism spectrum disorders.
If you were to view her recent "birthday wish list," you would discover that she wholeheartedly seeks updated knowledge on how to best support those with autism spectrum disorders as her list mainly consisted of resources for educating those on the spectrum. In addition to reading professional resources, she treasures time with her family, enjoys the outdoors, loves music (will be found at camp singing terribly silly camp songs), enjoys Sudoku puzzles, looks forward to cooking, and loves antiquing.
Prior to her present role as Autism Education Coordinator for the Lee's Summit School District, she taught in the special education setting for seven years supporting students with various exceptionalities in the elementary and high school settings, designed and facilitated community-based social development groups for children ages twelve through eighteen, worked as a counselor at a local outdoor and diversity education camp through two summers, and served active roles for seven years of Camp Determination as a volunteer, counselor, and Director.
Attending various camps as a child, she directly knows the powerfully positive impact such experiences can have on one's character, beliefs, self-esteem, self-acceptance, and abilities.
Mrs. Lee has presented numerous times on autism spectrum related topics: general characteristics; visual supports; social, play, and relationship development; sensory supports; behavioral strategies; early childhood intensive programming; picture based facilitated communication, and Applied Behavior Analysis / Discrete Trial Teaching and has personally attended numerous workshops and trainings throughout the states on autism spectrum disorders.
If you were to view her recent "birthday wish list," you would discover that she wholeheartedly seeks updated knowledge on how to best support those with autism spectrum disorders as her list mainly consisted of resources for educating those on the spectrum. In addition to reading professional resources, she treasures time with her family, enjoys the outdoors, loves music (will be found at camp singing terribly silly camp songs), enjoys Sudoku puzzles, looks forward to cooking, and loves antiquing.
Kaye Otten, Ph.D. received her undergraduate degree in elementary education and child development and masters degree in special education with an endorsement in behavior disorders at the University of Nebraska. During her teaching career, which included general and special education experiences, Kaye realized that she did not know enough about autism spectrum disorders to adequately meet the needs of this special population. She made the decision to pursue a doctorate in special education specializing in autism spectrum and behavior disorders from the University of Kansas and has developed a passion for serving this population. It was during her doctoral studies that Kaye became involved in Camp Determination and met Kelly Lee who was the coordinator at the time.
Before her current position as a behavioral specialist with the Lee’s Summit R-VII School District in Missouri, Kaye was employed full time as the coordinator of Camp Determination for three years. Dr. Otten has co-authored numerous book chapters and resources, is a regular presenter at local, state and national conferences, and often provides professional development seminars on topics related to behavior management and autism spectrum disorders.
A Nebraska native (Go Big Red!), Kaye spends much of her free time traveling back to her home state to see her family and attend Husker games and loves to travel pretty much anywhere. As a child, Kaye had wonderful camping experiences and as a teenager and young adult served as a junior counselor and counselor at Camp Luther in Schuyler, Nebraska. This was a powerful influence on her life and she knows how important outdoor camping experiences can be for young people.
We are past supporters of the Autism Asperger Resource Center, a nonprofit organization in the Kansas City metropolitan area that provided a variety of services to families affected by autism spectrum disorders. One or both of us were employed by this organization from 2000 to 2005 as the coordinators of Camp Determination, one of the only overnight camps specifically designed for campers with autism spectrum disorders in the United States. Under our leadership, Camp Determination flourished from a small local project started by a grant through the University of Kansas Department of Special Education in 1997 to a nationally known and well respected program of an independent nonprofit organization serving youth from over thirty states from as far away as Alaska and receiving inquiries from foreign countries as well. We often hear from our past campers who tell inspiring stories of how their experience at Camp Determination positively impacted their lives.
Unfortunately, as is the case of many small not for profits, The Autism Asperger Resource Center ceased its operations. Having committed numerous hours as employees and volunteers over the years in support of the organization, we were saddened at this loss to the Kansas City community and very concerned that the youth with autism spectrum disorders in the Kansas City area and around the country that had previously attended Camp Determination or hoped to in the future would not have the opportunity to have this quality camp experience.
After months of careful consideration and planning, we are extremely excited to offer Camp Encourage with the sole mission of continuing and improving quality camp opportunities in the Kansas City metropolitan area for youth with autism spectrum disorders!!!! We are passionate about our mission and are confident that we possess the reputation, skills, and experience needed for long term success.
Our Board of Directors
Nancy E. Huerta; Special Education Attorney, Equal Chance Education Consulting, LLC
Michelle Long; Certified Public Accountant and QuickBooks ProAdvisor, M. Long Consulting
Nancy Miller; Student Services Consultant; OTR/L , Blue Valley School District
Michele Mullendore; Parent and Special Education Teacher, Park Hill School District
Lisa Robbins; Instructor, Missouri Western and Doctoral Student, University of Kansas
Jenny Williams; Parent and Area Manager of Arbonne International
Our Advisory Board
Katherine E. Cook; Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education, University of Kansas
Richard Simpson; Professor, Department of Special Education, University of Kansas
Theresa Vollrath; Associate Professor of Special Education, University of Central Missouri
Unfortunately, as is the case of many small not for profits, The Autism Asperger Resource Center ceased its operations. Having committed numerous hours as employees and volunteers over the years in support of the organization, we were saddened at this loss to the Kansas City community and very concerned that the youth with autism spectrum disorders in the Kansas City area and around the country that had previously attended Camp Determination or hoped to in the future would not have the opportunity to have this quality camp experience.
After months of careful consideration and planning, we are extremely excited to offer Camp Encourage with the sole mission of continuing and improving quality camp opportunities in the Kansas City metropolitan area for youth with autism spectrum disorders!!!! We are passionate about our mission and are confident that we possess the reputation, skills, and experience needed for long term success.
Our Board of Directors
Nancy E. Huerta; Special Education Attorney, Equal Chance Education Consulting, LLC
Michelle Long; Certified Public Accountant and QuickBooks ProAdvisor, M. Long Consulting
Nancy Miller; Student Services Consultant; OTR/L , Blue Valley School District
Michele Mullendore; Parent and Special Education Teacher, Park Hill School District
Lisa Robbins; Instructor, Missouri Western and Doctoral Student, University of Kansas
Jenny Williams; Parent and Area Manager of Arbonne International
Our Advisory Board
Katherine E. Cook; Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education, University of Kansas
Richard Simpson; Professor, Department of Special Education, University of Kansas
Theresa Vollrath; Associate Professor of Special Education, University of Central Missouri