About Camp Summer Garden

Hello, My name is Iris Davis Pendleton. I am the Founder and Program Director for Camp Summer Garden.  

In 2019, I earned a Ph.D. in Communication Science & Disorders with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education Autism from Florida State University. 

During the Ph.D. program I completed a Research and Practice fellowship program with the Florida State University Autism Institute (2016-2019).

After graduating from the Ph.D. program, I continued working at the Florida State University Autism Institute (2020-2022) before accepting a full-time faculty position at Tallahassee Community College. 

I have over 17 years in the Early Childhood Education field. In the past I have had several roles in the field including serving as an Early Childhood Education adjunct instructor, Early Childhood Education volunteer program manager, and Early Head Start classroom coach. 

In 2019, as I was nearing the end my Ph.D. program in Communication Science & Disorders-Early Childhood Education Autism at FSU, I noticed a lack of summer camp programs tailored specifically to children with autism. Recognizing this need, I embarked on a mission to create a summer camp experience that would cater to the unique needs of children with autism.

Drawing upon my passion for inclusivity, my education, work experience, and my desire to make a positive difference in the lives of children with autism, I interviewed and surveyed families of children with autism to receive their input as I worked to create a summer camp designed to meet the needs of their child.

After creating a comprehensive program and business plan to guide the vision for Camp Summer Garden, despite COVID-19 the summer camp launched in 2020. As the COVID-19 pandemic stretched into 2021, I made the tough decision to temporarily pause providing direct services to children with autism.

During the hiatus caused by the pandemic, From 2021-2023 Camp Summer Garden shifted its approach from direct services to indirect services in an effort to continue supporting children with autism. Recognizing the ongoing need for specialized training and resources, the camp redirected its efforts towards providing autism-specific training to other programs including sports camps, sports programs, childcare providers, and children’s church ministries.

As the world has emerged from COVID-19 and is continuing to recover from the pandemic, the camp is resuming its in-person operations this year in 2024. We look forward to once again direct services to children with autism and their families.

Sincerely,

Iris Davis Pendleton

Camp Summer Garden Founder and Program Director