21st Annual Autism Beach Bash supporting Autism Family Services of New Jersey
21st Annual Autism Beach Bash supporting Autism Family Services of New Jersey
About AFSNJ 21st Autism Beach Bash
Hosted By Autism Family Services of New Jersey
Event Date: September 7, 2025
Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Location: 14th Ave Beach, Belmar, NJ
The Annual Autism Beach Bash is our favorite day of the year—and for many families, the best day of theirs.
This free event brings together more than 4,000 attendees for a one-of-a-kind day of community and connection. Last year, 150 individuals with autism rode the waves with Surfers Healing, building confidence and creating lasting memories with every ride.
Join us for a full day of surf, music, sunshine, and good vibes at New Jersey’s largest autism-friendly event. It’s a rare chance to be among thousands of others who get what it means to live with autism, who share your experiences, and who welcome you just as you are. That’s more than community. That’s what belonging feels like. And that’s what this day is built to deliver.
Surfer Registration
Opens May 12 through May 16 - Space is limited and fills quickly.
The Surfing Experience: Powered by Surfers Healing
At the heart of Autism Beach Bash is our long-time partner, Surfers Healing. They are the original surf camp for children with autism. Founded in 1996, this California-based nonprofit has spent over 25 years creating unforgettable surf experiences for children with special needs and their families.
Each year, their volunteer-staffed camps introduce more than 4,500 kids to the ocean, offering more than just a fun day at the beach. For many participants, the waves bring calm. The weightlessness, the rhythm, the freedom—it all creates a sensory experience that feels like therapy.
For children who face daily challenges, and for parents who are used to hearing what their child can’t do, Surfers Healing offers something different. It’s about possibility. It’s about joy. It’s about watching a child ride a wave and seeing their confidence rise with it.
And the hardest part? Getting them to come out of the water.
Become a Sponsor or Exhibitor
Your support fuels the impact.
Whether you're a business, nonprofit, or community group, sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities help ensure this event remains free and accessible to all.
Sponsorship Tiers Include:
- Premium Sponsor $20,000, top-tier logo placement, press mentions, VIP access, and more
- Platinum, Gold, and Silver Sponsors, varying levels of visibility, promotion, and onsite presence
Exhibitor Options:
- Standard Exhibitor $650, under our shared tent
- Nonprofit Exhibitor $450, shared tent
- Sand Tee Sign $150, logo displayed onsite
View Sponsorship Packet
Why it Matters
Your support helps make this experience possible. It matters for the families who attend, and for those who rely on our programs throughout the year.
Funds raised through Autism Beach Bash support critical services across New Jersey, including after-school care, respite, recreation, and access to resources for families navigating autism every day.
By sponsoring this event, you are doing more than helping us host a day at the beach. You are standing with a community that too often goes unseen, and reinforcing the truth that inclusion is not optional—it is essential.
Volunteer at the Beach Bash
Be part of something meaningful.
Volunteers are at the heart of this event’s success. Whether you help with registration, assist at surf camp, or support family activities, your time makes a difference.
- Volunteer shifts available throughout the day
- Minimum age 14
- Application required, space is limited
- Volunteers under 18 must have parental consent
Date
Starts at: September 7, 2025 8:00 AM
Ends at: September 7, 2025 2:00 PM
Location
14th Ave- Beach
Ocean Avenue North
Belmar, 07719 USA
Contact
Special Events Manager | Terri Walsh
6093924900
info@autismbeachbash.org
20th Anniversary Highlights
Last year’s Autism Beach Bash marked a powerful milestone: our 20th anniversary and our largest gathering to date. Nearly 4,000 people filled the beach in Belmar—not just as attendees, but as individuals and families who all live with autism in some way.
There’s something extraordinary about being surrounded by people who understand your world without needing explanation. The beach became a space of ease and belonging, where every individual could simply be themselves.
The day offered more than sunshine and surf. It created a sense of comfort, visibility, and community that’s hard to find elsewhere. Resources were abundant, joy was contagious, and 150 individuals with autism experienced the thrill of riding the waves with support from our longtime partners at Surfers Healing.
It wasn’t just about the beach or the waves. It was about the rare and powerful feeling of belonging, shared by thousands who understood each other without words.