Ernie's Happy Hangout
Are you looking for an after school program for your child?
About Ernie’s Happy Hangout
Ernie’s Happy Hangout is Autism Connections’ after-school program for students in Kindergarten to Grade 5, offering a welcoming space to play, connect with peers and build skills after the school day ends.
Learning through play is at the heart of Ernie’s Happy Hangout. Activities incorporate elements of core school subjects while giving children opportunities to practise social skills, sharing, communication, cooperation and other everyday skills through interactive play and peer engagement. The program also creates space for children to form friendships, explore their interests and build confidence at their own pace.
Our goal is to provide an after-school environment where children can have fun, meet new people and continue developing skills through naturalistic teaching and meaningful interaction with their peers. Ernie’s Happy Hangout is not a 1:1 program; however, individual 1:1 support is available for children who require additional assistance to participate successfully and safely.
Ernie’s Happy Hangout runs from the first day of the public school year until the third week of June and follows the public school calendar. Programming is not offered during Christmas Break, March Break, professional learning/PD days or school closures due to weather.
Location & Transportation
Ernie’s Happy Hangout takes place at Autism Connections, 1666 Lincoln Road, Fredericton.
Please note that Autism Connections is not able to provide transportation to or from the program.
Camp Marvel
Planning summer holidays for your child?
Visit our Facebook page for all the pictures from Camp Marvel 2026!
Fun, individual, unique, safe, inclusive – these are words describing our summer program we call Camp Marvel.
Autism Connections provides your loved one with a fabulous summer camp experience. This is an opportunity to make memories, socialize with peers, and have fun! We have a whole week of exciting activities like: crafts, games, outings, and so much more!
About Camp
Camp Marvel: A One-of-a-Kind Summer Camp Experience for Every Camper
Autism Connections proudly presents Camp Marvel—a unique, week-long half-day summer camp for individuals on the autism spectrum. Held throughout July and August at our inclusive and welcoming centre at 1666 Lincoln Road, Camp Marvel offers a safe and engaging space for campers to thrive.
What sets Camp Marvel apart is our commitment to a one-to-one camper-to-counselor ratio, ensuring that each camper receives the personalized attention they need to succeed. This individualized approach allows us to support individuals with higher needs, including those with sensory sensitivities, behavioral challenges, or self-injurious behaviors—campers who are often turned away from traditional programs. Our experienced and highly trained staff create a nurturing environment where everyone is not only accepted but celebrated for who they are.
Campers will enjoy a thoughtfully planned week filled with crafts, games, outings, and enrichment activities designed to foster joy, social skill development, and meaningful peer interactions. Whether they’re making new friends, practicing teamwork, or building confidence, our campers will create memories that last a lifetime. Each week hosts a new age group of campers, giving as many autistic individuals as possible the opportunity to experience summer camp!
At Camp Marvel, we believe every camper deserves an unforgettable summer camp experience. Families from as far as an hour away travel to join us because they trust in our mission to provide a space where campers are fully supported, valued, and celebrated.
Come see why Camp Marvel is truly one of a kind—where every camper can shine and where joy, growth, and belonging are at the heart of everything we do!
Registration for Camp Marvel begins in March and will be announced on our social media, so stay tunned! When registration opens the form will be available here!
2026 Camp Marvel Sponsors and Partners
Proudly Supported by Canadian Tire Jumpstart
No Limits Soccer 2026, generously supported by Canadian Tire Jumpstart
We’re thrilled to share that once again, our No Limits Soccer program is proudly supported by Canadian Tire Jumpstart!!
Thanks to their generous funding, we are able to hire a dedicated coaching team, update our equipment, and ensure a season filled with structure, support, and FUN!
Together, we’re making inclusive play possible!!
No Limits Soccer
PLEASE NOTE: REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR NO LIMITS SOCCER 2026
About No Limits Soccer
No Limits is a non-competitive soccer program designed specifically for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder ages 3-12. It is offered by Autism Connections, an organization that serves the greater Fredericton region and is dedicated to providing services to persons with ASD, their families, and their communities. This program runs every summer for eight weeks in July and August, and is held at College Field in Queen's Square Park, thanks to our partnership with UNB.
Our team is made up of a Head Coach and three Assistant Coaches. No Limits is a non-competitive group so we do not play games against other teams. Our team operates in a skills and drills fashion. Children practice and perfect their soccer skills (such as coordination, gross motor, listening, following directions, sharing, etc.) through a series of activities divided into stations. The coaches at each station work with the children and their families to modify the activities to ensure that each child is successful. We do have scrimmages with the children who are interested, keeping a focus on communication and sharing the ball instead of score.
Each practice begins with the reading of a social story. This helps the children know what is expected of them as well as what they themselves can expect. No Limits uses a poster schedule with removable photos and words which provides comfort to those who are dependent on routine. We use timers which helps the children to know when to move on. Something else that sets us apart from your typical soccer team is that we encourage parents to help their child on the field. We know that no one knows your child better than you and often the presence of a parent on the field is the difference between a successful soccer season and a more challenging one. Of course, if you are confident in your child’s abilities and would prefer to sit back and watch, you are free to do that too!
Registration for No Limits Soccer begins in March and will be announced on our social media, so stay tunned! When registration opens the form will be available here!
Our 2026 No Limits Soccer Partner
Proudly Supported by Canadian Tire Jumpstart
The Winter and Fall 2026 First Tee Golf Programs are generously supported by Canadian Tire Jumpstart
We’re thrilled to share that the winter cohort of the First Tee program is being proudly supported by Canadian Tire Jumpstart. Thanks to their generous funding, we were able to hire a dedicated facilitators to ensure a season filled with structure, support, and FUN!
Together, we’re making inclusive play possible!!
First Tee with Autism Connections
First Tee – Atlantic: Building Confidence Through Golf
We’re currently exploring a Fall 2026 First Tee – Atlantic cohort!
Before finalizing plans, we’re asking interested families to complete our Expression of Interest Survey. Responses will help us determine interest and how best to structure the program.
If our previous program space is available, we are currently planning for Monday evening sessions beginning no later than Monday, October 5, with the following tentative groups:
Ages 8 and under: 5:00–5:45 p.m.
Ages 9+: 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Please note that dates, times and groupings are not yet confirmed and may change based on interest, participant ages, space availability and program needs.
Completing the Expression of Interest Survey is not registration and does not guarantee a space in the program. If a fall cohort moves forward, registration will open separately.
Interested in Volunteering?
We’re also looking for volunteers to help support First Tee this fall. If you’d like to help make the program possible, please complete our Volunteer Registration Form and indicate that you’re interested in First Tee Fall 2026.
About First Tee
The First Tee Community Program is an inclusive program that helps autistic youth ages 5–12 build confidence, character and connection through the game of golf — no experience required.
Autism Connections delivers the program using our official First Tee kit, generously provided by Good Guys Golf.
Through fun, play-based activities, participants learn golf fundamentals while also building skills such as teamwork, respect and perseverance.
Each child must have one caregiver present during sessions.
Program Details
- 8-week program
- $75 per participant for the full 8 weeks, due at registration*
- Monday evening sessions
- Fall 2026 location and dates to be confirmed
Why are the session lengths different?
The younger group’s 45-minute sessions are intentional and designed to better suit the attention, energy and learning needs of younger participants. Both age groups receive the full First Tee program experience, with activities adapted for their age and developmental needs. The $75 registration fee reflects the overall cost of providing the 8-week program, including the venue, program delivery, curriculum, materials, rather than the number of minutes in each individual session.
Please note: First Tee will not be held on Monday, October 12th due to Thanksgiving.
*If you believe this fee may be covered by Social Development, please contact your social worker directly, as families are responsible for arranging any funding support
Fill out the Expression of Interest Here: