Caregiver Retreat

Thank you for making our first annual Caregiver Retreat a success!

Camp Anokijig-Plymouth, WI | September 22, 2025 | 9AM – 3PM

About the Retreat

We are excited to announce that we will be hosting a one day caregiver retreat this fall at Camp Anokijig in Plymouth, WI! This retreat will bring together caregivers of individuals with Autism from across the state to share stories, swap resources, and build tools for practicing self-compassion. We recognize that caregivers take many forms, so this retreat is open to and welcoming of all those who support individuals on the Autism spectrum, whether you’re a parent, grandparent, sibling, teacher, or friend.

Camp Anokijig is located on 396 acres of beautiful woodlands and hills in the Glaciated Kettle Moraine Forest Area of Wisconsin. The camp surrouns about three fourths of Little Elkhart Lake and owns the only island. This location makes for a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, where attendees can take time for themselves to enjoy the sun, take in the water, and connect with others who share similar experiences.

Audience:

This retreat is ideal for parents/family members, grandparents, adult siblings, educators, support staff, and friends.

*Childcare is not provided for this event.

Presenters and Peer Group Facilitators:

Ellen Merker, LPC founded Heart Consulting LLC in 2017, received her MS in Rehabilitation Psychology from UW-Madison in 2012, and has worked in various roles with neurodivergent individuals for over 15 years. Ellen’s therapy, education, and team consultation focus on individual needs and looking at the how one’s environment may be impacting mental health. Ellen takes a neurodivergent affirmative approach in all work, and works to build on strengths, supportive environments, and accommodating needs.  In addition to individual therapy, Ellen has also has extensive experience in speaking and training. Ellen has presented at various conferences and organizations, including the National Project Search Conference, Waisman Center’s Community Outreach Wisconsin, WI State Human Trafficking Conference, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Reproductive Health Conference, Circles of Life, and Integral Autism Conference.

Betty McClusky is an Outpatient Psychotherapist in private practice in Tomahawk, WI.  She worked as an administrative assistant until she went to college at age 32, graduating from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN in 1995 with a MS in Guidance and Counseling.  She and her husband, Jim, have one daughter, Colleen, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at age 8.  ASD has become her specialty area in psychology and she supports many individuals with ASD and their families.  She is Board President for the Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin and looks forward to serving our community in the future.

Tim Markle is Director of the Wisconsin Youth Health Transition Initiative and Outreach Program Manager for the Children’s Resource Center-South. He also works with the Transition Consultation program for LEND. All programs are part of the UW-Madison Waisman Center. He has worked for Waisman for over 15 years. Tim is on the Board for the Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin and is the extremely proud father to an autistic young man (Hunter). Tim is also a member of the Wisconsin Community on Transition and facilitates Transition Talks Tuesdays.

Itinerary:

9:00am: Check in & Welcome

9:45am: Choose your own camp adventure

11:00am: Self-compassion & Resource Building with Ellen Merker, M.S., LPC

12:30pm: Lunch provided by camp staff and free time to explore the camp

1:45pm: Peer share circles with Betty McCluskey & Tim Markle

2:45pm: Wrap-up & Thank You

3:00pm: Optional camp exploration time

Registration

Registration Fee

The registration fee includes access to the campsite for the day, refreshments, and lunch for one person.

Member Rate: $75  |  Non-Member Rate: $100

Waiver Funding

Families enrolled in Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Waiver, Children’s Community Options Program (CCOP), IRIS or Family Care may be able to use these funds to pay for conference registration fees. Please have your service coordinator fill out the Third Party Payer Form to register with waiver funding.

Confirmation

Upon registering for the training you will receive a confirmation email containing further information. If you have registered but have not yet received your confirmation email, please contact Brittany at bmaren@autismgreaterwi.org.

Cancellation Policy

We are unable to accept cancellation or refund requests for this event.

Lodging:

Lodging will not be provided for this event. Should you wish to find overnight accommodations nearby, you may reference the following options.

Lodging in Plymouth:

Lodging in Elkhart Lake:

Lodging in Sheboygan:

Questions?

Please reach out to Brittany Maren at bmaren@autismgreaterwi.org or 920-558-4600