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Summer Camp Options For Children With Disabilities

Find Your Summer Fun!!!

By Chanin Victor - Publisher Santa Monica Macaroni Kid March 5, 2019





To be able to have the same summer camp experience as many other kids do is so empowering for children with disabilities, especially if they are able to experience being in an accessible environment.  Unfortunately, there are not as many camps offered for kids with disabilities (or families) as there are camps for typical children, so these camps tend to fill up fast and early.  

To help you pick a program that works for your child or family, we compiled a list of different camps here in the U.S. At the top of the list are camps that are offered in multiple states.  If there’s a camp we missed, let us know in an email.  

Unless otherwise specified, these camps offer a “traditional” camp experience, meaning campers have access to typical camping activities such as swimming, canoeing, fishing, drama, archery, arts and crafts, nature-based activities, campfires, sports, etc. The camps are unique in that they incorporate skill building through play and activities. While not every camp offers every activity, these camps provide a robust and authentic camp experience for all.  

We did not include the cost of each camp, as the cost can vary even within the same camp based on age. If your child is on a state grant or a state waiver, it may cover the cost of camp, so make sure to ask your caseworker. Several camps offer scholarships for campers based on need, and a few are offered at no cost.


Multi-State

Pals: These are camps for youth and adults with Down syndrome. Some begin at age 14, others are for adults only. Camp Pals host sessions in Maryland, Massachusetts, Illinois, Ohio, Washington D.C., Maine, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and California.

Live Up: These camps are for adults with Down syndrome. Campers have a one-on-one helper. Live Up camps host sessions in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York, California, and Washington D.C.

Special Touch Camps: Special Touch offers Christian faith-based camps for people with intellectual and physical disabilities. All camps have full-time nursing staff. They offer sessions in Oklahoma, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Georgia, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Arizona. 

Lift Disability Network: Life Disability Network offers family camps in Florida, Missouri, and Minnesota.

Cristo Vive: These are Christian faith-based family camps located in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Idaho, Texas, Alaska, Ecuador, and Peru.

Easterseals: Easterseals is the largest provider of camping and recreational programs for children, adults, and families. It offers 30 camps nationwide in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Joni and Friends Family Camps: Joni and Friends is a Christian faith-based family camp for kids and adults with disabilities. Those who need extra support have access to a one-on-one helper. Camps are available in New Hampshire, Michigan, California, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, Alabama, New Mexico, Arizona, Tennessee, Ohio, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, Indiana, Oregon, and Minnesota.

Champions Special Ministries: This faith-based camp works by partnering with local churches to offer day camps for kids and adults with disabilities. It has sessions in Colorado, Arkansas, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

Adam’s Camp: These camps offer intensive therapy, family support, and recreation for children and teens with disabilities. It has locations in Colorado, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

SOAR: SOAR provides outdoors adventure camps for kids with ADHD and learning disabilities between the ages of 8 to 25. It has sessions in North Carolina, Wyoming and Florida.

Camp Abilities: Camp Abilities is a sports camps for children and young adults who are blind, deafblind or have multiple disabilities including visual impairment. One-on-one coaching is provided. Sessions are available in Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Texas, Utah, and Washington.

California

Camp Krem: This summer camp is for children and adults with developmental disabilities. In addition to its summer camp, Camp Krem offers a year-round respite program.

Whispering Winds: This is a Christian faith-based family summer camp. It offers a week-long program for kids with disabilities and their families.

Exceptional Needs Network Camp: This camp is specifically for campers ages 6 to 22 with developmental disabilities. Each camper has a one-on-one counselor. 

Camp Harmon: This is an Easterseals camp for campers ages 8 to 65. Each counselor has only three campers. The camp also offers a week for family camp.

Summer Camps for Kids With Disabilities listed by state http://bit.ly/2Ueg1TV



  Feel free to email me if you have any questions about any camps on our list. 😀










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