Aspire Group Programming
781-860-1900
Aspire’s year-round group programming includes weekly social groups in the spring and fall, special events, and six-week summer programs. Participants come to Aspire with a broad range of abilities, interests and personalities, and they all have the potential to grow and change. Success and personal growth look different in every child we serve.
Child group programming
Aspire group programming is designed for children and young teens (ages 5-13) who identify with an ASD (levels 1 and 2), Asperger’s or similar social profile.
At Aspire, we create a space where our youngest participants feel safe, supported and empowered to take risks and step outside of their comfort zones. Our process begins with Aspire staff getting to know each participant as an individual and learning more about their unique strengths and abilities, areas for growth, goals, and special interests.
Through our multi-disciplinary approach, our experienced staff help participants to build a healthy self-awareness; to learn to recognize and manage their own stress and anxiety in an effective way; and to understand the give and take of social communication. For our child participants, new and emerging skills may include developing and learning to use self-calming strategies, creating “mind files” to make meaningful connections with peers, maintaining a flexible mindset, perspective-taking, self-advocacy and learning to compromise in a group setting.
Aspire’s year-round child group programming includes weekly social groups, summer camp, school vacation camps and special events. View our current child group programming schedule here.
Child groups meet during the academic year, once per week for 75-90 minutes. Participants are "matched" in a peer cohort of four to eight kids, led by Aspire staff. By placing participants in small, similar-age peer groups, staff are able to provide "real-life" opportunities for learning and skill-building around special interests that are inherently motivating to our participants. Aspire group leaders use the excitement and motivation of these shared passions to teach and practice skills through structured activities and with the support of real-time feedback.
Group themes may change annually. Examples of child group themes include engineering, collaborative games, girls' group, group video gaming and connections group.
Special events and school vacation camps provide additional opportunities for our young participants to make new connections, practice emerging skills across settings, and learn from shared experiences. Aspire staff provide structured fun using highly motivating activities to facilitate engagement in a group setting.
For more information, view our Academic Year Frequently Asked Questions.
We are proud to be an American Camp Association-accredited camp.
Aspire's summer Adventure Camp is a six-week program for children ages 5-13 years old. Campers are placed into similar-age peer groups of four to six participants, each supported by two Aspire staff. Campers participate in a rich weekly schedule full of typical camp activities, such as swimming, music, fishing, boating and art. Like all of Aspire’s programming, participants receive direct instruction and in-the-moment social coaching to support skill building in the areas of self-awareness, stress management, and social competency. Aspire staff create a safe and supportive environment in which campers can learn, grow, make social connections, express themselves, feel successful and have fun.
In collaboration with families, campers identify personal goals at the beginning of camp and receive daily feedback from staff about their progress. At the end of the program, staff provide an "end-of-camp-summary" for each child that includes a summary of progress made with personal goals; an evaluation of skills (i.e., social competency, stress management and self-awareness); and concludes with a list of strategies/methods that were the most helpful for the participant during camp.
Camp is located at Hale Reservation in Westwood, Massachusetts. This beautiful campus provides 1,137 acres of woodlands, including four ponds and over 20 miles of trails. This is the perfect backdrop to facilitate a summer full of adventures.
Aspire summer Adventure Camp is divided into three age groups:
- Adventure Camp, Ages 7-13 years old: The majority of campers fall into our Adventure Camp age group. Camp participants enjoy structured days filled with fun outdoor camp activities like swim lessons, archery, ropes course and movement. Aspire’s therapeutic curriculum teaches and reinforces skill-building in the areas of self-awareness, stress management and social competency. Individualized and group-based goals are consistently targeted throughout the day through Morning Meetings, peer and staff feedback, and in-the-moment social coaching.
- Adventure Camp Junior, Ages 5-7 years old: Appreciating that a full Adventure Camp day might be too long for our youngest campers, junior camper daily activities are modified to meet the developmental level and physical capabilities of younger children. Each fun-filled half-day is designed to encourage social interaction and focus on what it means to be part of a group.
- Adventure Trailblazers, Ages 12-13 years old: Campers entering their teen years are often ready to take on new challenges and consider future-oriented goals. Through our Leader-in-Training (LIT) program, Trailblazers will hone more advanced executive function, self-awareness, and independent living skills while defining their own personal brand of leadership. Trailblazers are given the opportunity to participate in many typical Adventure Camp activities alongside leadership training experiences, including pre-vocational community excursions, Buddies mentorship program with younger campers, management of the Aspire camp store, and community service projects.
For more information, follow this link to view our Summer Camp Frequently Asked Questions.
Teen group programming
Aspire programs are designed for teens and young adults (ages 14-18) who identify with an ASD (levels 1 and 2), Asperger’s or similar social profile.
At Aspire, we create a safe space where our teen participants feel supported and empowered to make individual choices and advocate for their own needs and preferences. Our process begins with Aspire staff getting to know each participant as an individual and learning more about their unique strengths and abilities, areas for growth, personal goals, and special interests.
Through our multi-disciplinary approach, our experienced staff help teen participants to develop their self-awareness and begin to define how they relate to the world around them; manage their own stress and anxiety effectively; and increase their independence and social confidence.
For our teen participants, skill development may include setting and achieving personal goals, developing and maintaining relationships, community living skills, increasing emotional awareness and capacity to manage stress, and fostering a sense of self that values their uniqueness and recognizes their strengths.
Aspire’s year-round teen group programming includes weekly social groups, special events, and summer Explorations and Transitions programs. View our current teen group programming schedule here.
Teen social groups meet during the academic year, once per week for 75-90 minutes. Participants are “matched” in a peer cohort of four to eight participants, led by Aspire staff. By placing participants in small, similar-age peer groups, staff are able to provide “real-life” opportunities for learning and skill-building around special interests that are inherently motivating to our participants. Aspire group leaders use the excitement and motivation of these shared passions to teach and practice skills through structured activities and with the support of real-time feedback.
Group themes may change annually. Examples of teen group themes include college explorations, cooperative gaming, film club, college transitions, and trivia group.
During our Fall and Spring sessions Aspire also runs Explorations, a Saturday group that meets for four hours in the afternoon each week. This unique program provides teens with an opportunity to learn practical life skills while participating in supported recreational and social activities out in the community. During weekly outings, teens learn money management, trip planning, using public transportation, peer negotiation and time management.
Special events provide additional opportunities for our teen participants to make new connections, practice developing skills across settings, and learn from shared experiences. Aspire staff provide structured fun using highly motivating activities to facilitate engagement in a group setting.
For more information, follow this link to view our School Year Frequently Asked Questions.
- Explorations is a six-week weekday summer program where teens, aged 14-19 years old, participate in supported recreational and social activities while learning a variety of practical life skills out in the community. Topics include money management, trip planning, using public transportation, peer negotiation and time management. Teens are placed into small cohorts of 5-6 participants. Throughout the summer, participants will have opportunities to engage with other cohorts and participants within the program. Participants are encouraged to balance their needs with those of the group. Community trips take place throughout the metro Boston area (Faneuil Hall, Prudential Center, movie theater, bowling, museums, and restaurants) and typically utilize public transportation. View a sample schedule.
- Transitions is a six-week weekday summer program where young adults, aged 16-22 years old, participate in group activities and practice skills that support the transition to work and college environments. Participants are placed at a volunteer work site two days per week where they receive job coaching and career skill training. Participants are placed at the volunteer work sites in groups of three participants with one Aspire Transition Specialist on site. When not at their work site, participants engage in college exploration, recreational activities, and team-building activities within a larger group of their peers. View a sample schedule.
For more information, view our Explorations and Transitions Frequently Asked Questions.
Adult group programming
Aspire adult group programming is designed for adults (ages 18+) who identify with an ASD (levels 1 and 2), Asperger’s or similar social profile.
At Aspire, we create a safe space where our adult participants feel a sense of belonging and empowered to advocate for their own needs and preferences. Our process begins with Aspire staff getting to know each participant as an individual and learning more about their unique strengths and abilities, areas for growth, personal and professional goals, and special interests.
Through our multi-disciplinary approach, our experienced staff help participants to maximize their strengths and further define their identity, manage stress and anxiety effectively, and meet new social and independence demands as adults. Skill development may include setting and achieving personal goals, fostering healthy relationships, navigating community living and adult life, and increasing emotional awareness and capacity to manage stress.
Aspire’s year-round adult group programming includes weekly social groups, special events, summer Explorations and Transitions programs, and the Aspire Works Internship Program. View our current adult group programming schedule here.
Adult social groups meet year-round, once per week for 75-90 minutes. Participants are "matched" in a peer cohort of four to eight participants, led by Aspire staff. By placing participants in small, similar-age peer groups, staff are able to provide "real-life" opportunities for learning and skill-building around special interests that are inherently motivating to our participants. Aspire group leaders use the excitement and motivation of these shared passions to teach and practice skills through structured activities and with the support of real-time feedback.
Group themes may change annually. Examples of adult group themes include collaborative gaming, relationships, hiking and group outings.
Special events provide additional opportunities for our adult participants to foster healthy relationships, practice skills across settings, and learn from shared experiences. Aspire staff provide structured fun using highly motivating activities to facilitate engagement in a group setting.
For more information, follow this link to view our School Year Frequently Asked Questions.
- Explorations is a six-week weekday summer program where teens and adults, aged 14-19 years old, participate in supported recreational and social activities while learning a variety of practical life skills out in the community. Topics include money management, trip planning, using public transportation, peer negotiation and time management. Participants are placed into small cohorts of 5-6 peers. Throughout the summer, participants will have opportunities to engage with other cohorts and participants within the program. Participants are encouraged to balance their needs with those of the group. Community trips take place throughout the metro Boston area (Faneuil Hall, Prudential Center, movie theater, bowling, museums, and restaurants) and typically utilize public transportation. View a sample schedule.
- Transitions is a six-week weekday summer program where teens and adults, aged 16-22 years old, participate in group activities and practice skills that support the transition to work and college environments. Participants are placed at a volunteer work site two days per week where they receive job coaching and career skill training. Participants are placed at the volunteer work sites in groups of three participants with one Aspire Transition Specialist on site. When not at their work site, participants engage in college exploration, recreational activities, and team-building activities within a larger group of their peers. View a sample schedule.
For more information, follow this link to view our Explorations and Transitions Frequently Asked Questions.
How to apply
Both new and returning applicants may submit their application online.
PDF application forms may be requested by emailing us at mghaspire@mgb.org. The PDF applications can be filled out and submitted via email using a desktop or laptop computer. Application forms must be viewed and submitted using Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you are have trouble submitting the PDF files, please download Acrobat Reader.
Important information for new Aspire applicants: All new child, teen and adult applicants and any applicants who have not participated in an Aspire program within the last twelve months are required to go through an intake assessment interview. There is a non-refundable intake assessment fee of $75.00 that is due prior to the intake interview. The primary purpose of the interview is to determine the participant’s individual needs, confirm program suitability, and assist in determining the most appropriate group placement. It’s important to note that an interview does not guarantee acceptance into our program. Aspire staff will contact you directly to set up an interview. Aspire intake interview sessions only take place in our Lexington office.
To submit your application via mail:
Sign and date all forms and submit by the application deadline to:
Aspire
1 Maguire Road
Lexington, MA 02421
How to pay
Intake assessment fee
If this is the first time you are submitting an application to an Aspire program, or if you have not participated in a program within twelve months, a $75 non-refundable intake assessment fee may be required.
- New Child/Teen/Adult Program applicant: $75 non-refundable fee is required
- Returning Aspire participant: Intake assessment fee not required
- Special event applicant only: Intake assessment fee not required
- Parent programs and services applicant only: Intake assessment fee not required
Payment options
To pay by check, please mail to Massachusetts General Physicians Organization, P.O. Box 3662, Boston MA 02241-3662. To pay by credit card, please call 781-860-1900. Intake assessment fees, program deposits and program tuition are non-refundable. Call 781-860-1900 or email mghaspire@mgb.org with questions.
Payment due
Payment is due upon receipt of acceptance. Participant’s spot will be held for 2 weeks. Payment in full is required before the start of programming. Payment plans are available upon request.
Group discounts
- Multi-group discount: 10% discount for any single participant taking two or more groups concurrently.
- Family discount: 10% discount for two or more siblings, or a participant and parent, participating in Aspire groups concurrently.
Financial aid support
We are grateful that generous donors have provided us with funding to support families in substantial financial need.
Submittal of a financial aid application does not guarantee support. Financial aid support is awarded based on multiple criteria including family income, family assets, size of family, etc. Financial aid support is designed to make school year groups and summer programming available to participants regardless of economic status. Families must have up to date financial aid documentation on file to receive support.
- For financial aid applicants over the age of 18: If the applicant lives with a parent/legal guardian, we require that both the participant and the parents/legal guardians provide financial documentation; otherwise, the financial aid application will be considered incomplete. If the applicant does not live with a parent/guardian, Aspire staff will need to understand the nature of the financial relationship of the parent and child. Please specify any financial or material support (e.g., below-market rent, groceries, utilities payments, tuition support, monthly cash support) that the applicant receives from family or others under the “additional consideration” section.
- For financial aid applicants who are returning participants: A new financial aid application must be submitted each year. We may require updated tax information after April 15th to make a final determination for financial aid requests if you are applying for one of our summer programs.
Insurance
Please be aware that Aspire offers multidisciplinary interventions and methods that do not fit standard medical procedure codes; therefore, our services are not reimbursable by medical insurers.
District pay
If your child requires Aspire programming either to make progress during the school year, or to maintain progress made during the school year over the summer, AND your school system does not have a program that adequately addresses that need, you may be entitled to district funding. Please contact your school administrator to see if your situation would qualify. If your school district is funding your child, please provide an official communication (email from school or on school letterhead) stating their intent to pay. School districts do not receive financial aid.
Attendance policy
The success of the group and of each participant is dependent upon all members attending as many sessions as possible. We expect that participants will make a commitment to the group. In case of an unavoidable absence, please let your group leader know with as much notice as possible. No refunds are given due to absences unless related to extensive medical conditions.
Inclement weather
In the event of inclement weather, participants/families will be notified via email if the group/session needs to be cancelled or rescheduled. Participants/families may also call the Aspire office at 781-860-1900.