Damion’s Glen Helen Adventure
When I first heard about my son Damion’s fifth grade class trip to Glen Helen Nature Preserve, I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. Like any mom, I wanted my child to have this experience—to sleep in cabins, hike through the woods, laugh around a campfire with friends. But as the mom of a child on the autism spectrum, I also knew that it would take a lot of preparation, understanding, and support to make it a success.
We started getting ready weeks in advance. I worked closely with his teachers to understand every detail of the schedule—when they’d eat, what the cabins looked like, how long the hikes were, and what each day would entail. Once I had that information, we spent time going over it all with Damion. We talked through each part of the trip so he could mentally prepare, and did this almost on a daily basis to help him feel more in control. He thrives on predictability, and knowing what to expect helped him get genuinely excited instead of anxious.
The school was wonderful in supporting Damion’s needs. They allowed a family member to chaperone overnight, which gave me so much peace of mind. I am generally the one to go on these types of trips with him as my schedule is more forgiving than my husband’s, but the school only had space for male chaperones and having someone in his same bunk house to help him feel supported was needed anyway. And they also gave us the option of driving him back and forth each day if sleeping over became too much. We didn’t end up needing that plan, but just having it in place helped me feel more confident letting him go.
They were thoughtful in every detail. Damion was placed in a group with classmates who have always been kind and understanding toward him—kids who know him, and who instinctively help him feel included. And because Damion has sensory issues with food, they let us pack some meals and snacks from home. That flexibility might seem small to some, but for us, it was everything.
And the best part? Damion had the best time. He hiked, explored, and joined right in on the activities. One moment that they told me about that still makes me smile was during a dodgeball game. The other boys, in the sweetest, most natural way, all “accidentally” dropped the ball so Damion could make it to second base. Of course, Damion—unbothered by game rules—got to second and then just wandered off, totally satisfied. The kids thought it was hilarious. He was just part of the group, and they met him exactly where he was.
He especially loved the campfire night. He wasn’t interested in the full s’more—he just ate the chocolate—but he was happy, surrounded by friends, enjoying the warmth of the fire. Each night, completely worn out from the day’s adventures, he was the first one asleep. And to me, that spoke volumes: he was comfortable, safe, and emotionally at ease.
As a mom, watching your child step into a big, new experience and truly enjoy it is one of the most rewarding feelings there is. Damion didn’t just go to Glen Helen—he participated, he laughed, he made memories. And we are so, so proud of him.
This trip was a milestone not only for Damion but for our whole family. It reminded me how far he’s come, how much support and compassion matter, and how beautiful inclusion can truly be when it’s done right.
