Programs

Our Programs

Think of our Programs as a majestic and colourful peacock tail. Within that fan of beautiful feathers are our Activities that fall under each fan. For example, all of our physically active programs are going to fall under the Active Life brand.

Oh yeah, did we mention that ALL of our programs are ever-changing, and we are always developing new programs from ideas given to us by our members?

Click through the different fans to see what interests you!

Our LAAFS (Little AAFS) program is designed for kids between the ages of 4 and 8. LAAFS provides our younger members with fun activities and opportunities to meet friends, develop life skills and have crazy amounts of fun – all within the social recreational environment that is AAFS.

We get it, some activities can be long. That’s why our LAAFS activities are shorter in duration and are geared specifically for a younger age group. We also have a higher staff to youth ratio so we can fully support each member. Anything AAFS can do, LAAFS can do better!

AAFS has expanded to both the North & South edges of the City!

We recognize the need for our fun, recreational, social environment in surrounding areas north and south of Calgary, and offer activities and Clubhouse Nights in Okotoks and Airdrie.

The social and recreational respite that AAFS offers should be accessible to as many families as possible. If you want to experience our fun, youth-driven environment, sign-up for one of our clubhouse nights or community outings like swimming, bowling and movie night!

Who knew you could experience fun while learning a new skill?

Our newly branded Active Life programs include Earn-A-Bike, Parkour, Ball Hockey, Lacrosse, Tennis, and Game-on-Golf, Lacrosse, Combat Sport (just to name a few).

Participants will work with many of the same staff and fellow members each week as they learn a brand-new skill or refine an existing one.

One of our primary goals is to immerse our kids in the community around them. Over the years, AAFS members have had opportunities to engage in almost every recreational event and activity Calgary has to offer! AAFS takes full advantage of the belief our community is the largest and most dynamic classroom and exploring that the classroom can teach almost any lesson.

Media and Arts programming encourages members to explore their creative side. From films, sketches, and skits for Movie Project, or exploring writing and musical interests participants develop technical skills at the same time. These projects are supported by industry professionals whose aim is to harness vocational development in participating members. All this is done in a safe and creative space with peers.

Programs include Movie Project, Stop Motion, Journalism, Screenwriting, Improv, Acting and Music.

Clubhouse Nights are one of the oldest and most longstanding programs at AAFS. Throughout the year, every Thursday night, we hang out at one of our Clubhouse locations. Themes for Clubhouse Nights vary week to week; but include video games, board games, Halloween or holiday parties. Some nights we base our evenings on current movies and trends, perhaps a Disney Movie Night to celebrate a new film? 

Come out and join us for Clubhouse Night – you’ll be introduced to other members and get a taste for the AAFS Culture.

Adult Programming targets members 16 years of age and older. Some activities are designed for those 18 and older. Adult programs are a great place to come, make friends and experience different recreational activities while continuing to build life skills and further independence. 

Some of these Include VAULT, Fellowship, Stepping Out, and Go Group

“Girls Club is inclusive of anyone who identifies as a female or a femme person, or for anyone who doesn’t identify with any particular gender at all” – AAFS Family. 

Our aim with the club is to provide a safe and welcoming space for people in our community who fall outside the “boy” identity. For many youths in our community who are gender-creative or exploring their gender identity for the first time, we’ve thought a lot about changing the name of Girls Club to be more inclusive. fueled by our members’ ideas and creativities specifically geared towards our female members, and the activity is facilitated by female staff. Because we do not have many female members, there is no age restriction on joining any girls club activities.

Our Activities

AAFS Fridays

AAFS Fridays are community outings that punctuate every dreary school week with a bit of adventure! These activities began as after school programming for youth...

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AAFSter School

AAFSter School program is THE place to be between class and dinner time, meeting every Monday through Thursday from 3 to 6pm at the...

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Advocacy Arts

Advocacy Arts is a self-advocacy program based on elements from Theatre of the Oppressed. Advocacy Arts uses Theatre of the Oppressed's potent and...

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Stepping Out!

Stepping Out is a recreation program for people on the Autism Spectrum with a focus on fitness! We provide a high-intensity inclusive training...

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Community Outings

At AAFS, one of our primary goals is to immerse our kids in the community around them. Over the years, AAFS members have had opportunities to...

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Clubhouse Nights

Club nights are evenings spent hanging out with friends at the AAFS office. They're fun, they're unique, and they're always changing - though the one thing...

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Girls Club

Female members of AAFS are drastically outnumbered by their male counterparts and Girls Club provides a way for young women in the ASD community...

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Go Group

The Go Group is active, accepting and easy-going. We exist for unfunded adults who want to go out with new and old friends and have fun. Each Tuesday...

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LAAFS

Children between the ages of four to nine meet under this banner to learn social thinking, meet friends, develop life skills and have crazy amounts of fun...

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AMPed

Welcome to the AAFS Movie Project, a multi media exploration group that provides support and guidance in the creation of film and video production...

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Outdoor Pursuits

In keeping with the paramount AAFS value of fostering independence in ASD youth, we strive to provide our members with opportunities to experience the...

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Fellowship of AAFS

Often referred to, simply, as "Fellowship activities", this program is designed for our youth 16 years and older, who have a strong sense of independence...

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MagAAFSzine

Welcome to The MagAAFSzine! This is just the beginning and boy are we glad you decided to give us a read. We are a magazine that gives a voice to...

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VAULT

Did you know that AAFS has an adult program (18+) that we run Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm called VAULT.

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