When Tom Smith joined The Vanguard School & Services nearly 29 years ago, he already loved working with neurodiverse students — a passion he discovered while working at a private school in Western New York. After moving to the Philadelphia area, Vanguard hired him as a behavioral specialist, and nearly three decades later, he's still here. "It's our mission of service that has kept me here all these years," he says, "and the opportunities to grow professionally doing what I love."

That growth carried him through nearly every corner of the organization: the behavioral team, PACE Coordinator, Assistant Principal, Principal, Assistant Director of Education, each role building on the last, with Vanguard's tuition reimbursement program helping him earn additional degrees. "Each new position has brought new challenges and learning experiences," he says, "making my work interesting and rewarding."

That path led to his current role: Supervisor of Vanguard Recreation Services (VRS), which Tom calls the one he was most meant for. In this position, he draws on decades of experience to help neurodiverse youth and adults have adventures, build skills, explore interests, and form friendships beyond school — reconnecting with families he's known for years while welcoming those just starting out.

On paper, Tom oversees programs, coordinates events, and supports VRS participants. Ask him, though, and he'll say the heart of his job is simpler: watching people grow. He's seen students grow into their strengths and become productive members of their communities, a transformation he credits largely to recreation itself. Everyday moments — a day trip, a dance, a cooking class — quietly build independence, and social and communication skills, along with something equally valuable—confidence.

That philosophy runs through everything VRS offers: social events, seasonal dances, fitness and cooking classes, camps, day trips, weekend getaways, and retreats, with something happening nearly year-round. "We're all about creating fun, shared experiences that help our participants grow, be more fulfilled, and learn life skills," Tom says. "We encourage them to try new things they never thought they could do, while our staff support their journey in a safe, welcoming community."

For Tom, the payoff is personal because recreation is about far more than having fun. It's also about helping to create a sense of +belonging and purpose. He enjoys watching a friendship take shape, a fear fade, or hearing a family member describe how much more confident and independent their loved one has become. "These are the things that make my job most fulfilling," he says, smiling. 

That sense of belonging shows most during VRS's multi-day retreats, where longtime participants and newcomers come together to simply do life for a few days. "Many of our adults have been participating for years and look forward to seeing their friends and staff," Tom says. "We almost always have new people joining, too, which adds a fresh dynamic to each trip."

Some trips are weeklong summer getaways, where neurodiverse adults head to beach destinations like Wildwood and Fenwick Island alongside VRS staff, sharing housing and meals and handling household tasks. In August, Camp Vanguard offers school-age participants day and overnight experiences filled with traditional camp activities like boating, swimming, ziplining, fishing, and sports.

As the seasons turn, so does the itinerary. Fall and winter bring overnight weekend retreats to places like historic Gettysburg, or to area farms and retreat centers where cooler weather sets the scene. Participants hike, play games, and work on crafts, immersed in nature and each other's company, while caregivers back home get a rare chance to recharge.

Every adult retreat also includes a community outing, depending on the trip that might mean a day at the zoo or waterpark, bowling, a museum, the boardwalk, or even snow tubing. These outings give participants exposure to new places and unfamiliar situations to navigate with support staff, turning each retreat into a chance to practice interacting with others in the real world.

For many participants, these weekends become highlights of their year, full of memorable moments, first-time experiences, and friendships that outlast the trip. That, more than anything, is how Tom measures success. "It's not about how many trips we run or how many people sign up," he says. "It's about the community we build — and the confidence people carry home."

Visit Vanguard Recreation Services on this website to learn more about upcoming Adult Respite Retreats and other programs.