Twelve-year-old Malakhi Copley tied his first knot, made new friends and took the helm of a sailboat earlier in October, all through a free, three-day camp in Charleston built specifically for kids like him. Malakhi was diagnosed with nonverbal autism at age 2, and his growth since then has come through therapy, patience and understanding, according to his mother, Farrah Copley.
A Camp Born From One Father's Search
The program that brought Malakhi onto the water is called Spectrum Sailing, a three-day sailing camp for autistic children ages 10 to 17, as reported by WCIV News 4. It was founded by Scott Herman, who started the program after discovering there really weren't any camps in Charleston set up to accommodate an autistic individual like his son, Daniel, now 18, the outlet reported. Herman described deciding to simply start his own camp rather than wait for one to exist.
The camp combines sailing instruction with opportunities to practice life skills, WCIV reported. Malakhi said he made new friends, talked with them, learned to tie a knot and steered a sailboat. He also said he felt welcomed and important at camp.
From Knot-Tying to Confidence Building
Campers learn water safety, wind direction, rigging and other sailing skills, according to Live 5 News, which reported that all Spectrum Sailing programming is free for families. The program partners with the College of Charleston, where students training to become special education teachers work directly with campers. Live 5 also reported that the nonprofit uses specially designed boats that do not tip over.
For Farrah Copley, watching her son take part was emotional. She described his growth and ability to speak in spiritual terms and said the camp was an important opportunity for him. Spectrum Sailing’s broader aim, according to the same account, is to help children build confidence, make friends and feel better about themselves.
Growing From One City to a National Program
Spectrum Sailing traces back to 2018, when Herman launched the first Autism Sailing Camp in Charleston, according to Spectrum Sailing's own mission page. The organization has since introduced more than 700 neurodivergent children to the sport through its free, three-day camps, per Charleston Magazine, which also reported the nonprofit has provided professional development to more than 400 sailing instructors and volunteers nationwide.
Reports have described different figures for the program’s footprint. WCIV reported that Spectrum Sailing operated in 13 cities across the country in 2026, giving more than 260 autistic children the chance to sail. Live 5 News had earlier reported expansion to 12 locations nationwide, including California, Ohio and Florida, with more than 240 children expected to participate. In Charleston, demand has exceeded capacity: Live 5 reported that more than 70 families applied for 20 spots.
The reach of the program has also drawn national attention. NBC News profiled a Spectrum Sailing summer camp off the coast of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, describing it as promoting confidence and community, while US Sailing has begun working with Spectrum Sailing to update its content on autism and neurodiversity for Adaptive Instructor Workshops.
What the Numbers and Training Do—and Don’t—Show
The South Carolina Department of Education listed 11,818 students ages 5 through 21 with autism as their primary disability among students receiving special education services under IDEA in 2022-2023. That count does not measure participation in organized recreation, and information about a three-day camp alone cannot establish lasting outcomes. According to US Sailing, its Adaptive Sailing Instructor Workshop uses hands-on exercises to address teaching sailors with physical and intellectual disabilities, vision impairments, autism and neurodiversity. US Sailing also reported that the separate Freedom Sailing Camp of Florida held its first summer camp in 2013, an earlier Florida example distinct from Spectrum Sailing.
What's Next for Charleston Families
Herman confirmed the camp will be back in Charleston the first weekend of October, and Spectrum Sailing is looking to expand to more cities in 2027, according to WCIV's report. Applications for the Charleston camp are likely to be ready by the end of November, giving local families another shot at the 20 available spots in a program that has already changed how kids like Malakhi see themselves on and off the water.
