Caroline Smith of Ponte Vedra Beach shares a kayak with Bill Holden of Neptune Beach during last summer's surf camp in Jacksonville Beach for children with autism. (file photo)

FROM CONTRIBUTOR

A Ponte Vedra organization that benefits children with autism is teaming with the University of North Florida to bring Joey Travolta's film camp for autistic children to UNF this summer.

Travolta, a film director and older brother of actor John Travolta, will conduct the camp, in which children with autism learn side-by-side with other children.

This will be the first time Travolta’s camp, established several years ago, has been offered in the Sunshine State.

The two-week HEAL Summer Film Camp is sponsored by UNF and the HEAL Foundation, a nonprofit organization cofounded by Leslie and Bobby Weed of Ponte Vedra Beach.

Offering support for families who, like the Weeds, have a child diagnosed with autism, HEAL (Healing Every Autistic Life) has experience with camps for autistic children.

Last year, HEAL was a sponsor of a surf camp held in Jacksonville Beach.

The Travolta film camp will be held at the University Center on the UNF campus June 16 through June 27.

About 50 campers, ages 10 to 17, will write, direct, act, film and edit a 25-minute film titled “Free to Be Me,” which will document the participants' day-to-day experiences during the camp.

Participating students are being nominated by teachers and therapists in St. Johns and Duval counties.

Travolta worked as a special needs teacher in New Jersey before embarking on his successful film career, which includes numerous motion pictures and television shows, among them “Mel,” “Beverly Hills Cop 3,” “L.A. Heat,” and “Dumb Luck In Vegas."

“The HEAL Summer Film Camp will give children with autism a forum to have a voice,” Travolta said in a news release.

“Filmmaking is a very empowering experience, and the camp will give these kids the invaluable opportunity to not only learn filmmaking skills, but also create art alongside typical children.”

Travolta’s crew of 11 producers, editors and directors will teach campers every aspect of the filmmaking art, from acting and storyboarding to blue screen effects and final editing.

They will work in collaboration with Atlantic Beach-based ArtLife Productions, which will provide creative and production services.

The documentary film will incorporate interviews with children, parents and autism specialists, providing not only informative insight into autism, but a fun, interactive, educational experience for both autistic and typical peers participating in the camp.

While the camp is being conducted, Dr. Karen Patterson, assistant professor and program director for UNF’s Department of Exceptional Student and Deaf Education, will simultaneously conduct research on the transformative effects of hands-on involvement in arts activities by children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder.

UNF students in the College of Education will also volunteer their time assisting with the project.

When the film is complete, it will be used to help parents, caregivers and others about autism from the unique perspective of those affected by it.