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Finding a summer camp is never easy, but when you’re looking for a special needs camp, the task can feel even more challenging. Not only are you searching for a camp that provides extra support, you want a camp that will specifically help your unique and wonderful kiddo thrive. So, how exactly do you find the right one?
“When looking at special needs summer camps, the most important question a parent can ask is: What does success look like for my child and how can we work with the camp to get there?” explains Tom Rosenberg, president and CEO of the American Camp Association (ACA). “Is the camp willing to work closely with you before camp begins to put a plan together and support in place to achieve the highest degree of success? It really comes down to doing a lot of work before camp even starts.”
Ready to start your research, but want a few jumping off points? Here, 10 special needs camp options for kids with disabilities, along with helpful tips for your search.
Key takeaways
- Finding the right special needs camp involves understanding your child’s needs and working with the camp to create a tailored plan.
- Ask about daily routines, conflict management, and flexibility to ensure a good fit.
- Researching and talking to other families can also help you make an informed decision.
Summer camp for kids with disabilities
Below, find a list of special needs summer camp options across the country, which are highly rated and/or recommended by Renee Flax, director of camper placement at the ACA of New York and New Jersey. The camps in this group are geared geared towards kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or kids with physical or medical needs.
1. Camp High Hopes
A year-round nonprofit camp, Camp High Hopes offers programs and respites for kids, teens and adults with diagnosed disabilities, special needs and chronic illnesses. Garnering 4.7 stars on Google reviews, Camp High Hopes has the goal of creating fun, memorable experiences for campers while fostering independence, meaningful connections and social and emotional growth.
Location: Sioux City, Iowa
Price: $850 for six days of sleepaway camp.
What to know:
- Year-round.
- Kid, teen and adult campers welcome.
- Variety of fully-accessible activities, including ax-throwing, animal education, canoeing and more.
2. Camp Anne
Another favorite camp of Flax’s is Camp Anne, an overnight nonprofit that offers a “structured, yet relaxed, atmosphere for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” Serving people with “moderate, severe or profound disabilities,” Camp Anne focuses on increasing independence in daily living skills, confidence and communication through a variety of traditional camp activities.
Location: Ancramdale, New York
Price: Per their site: “Camp fees vary each year, based on funding.”
What to know:
- Ages 5 through adult.
- Overnight camp.
- Two 11-day sessions available during the summer.
- Activities include boating, cooking, crafts, sports, nature, pool parties and more.
3. The National Ability Center
With both day and overnight options, the National Ability Center focuses on providing adventure-packed activities to individuals with disabilities. Choose from a variety of themed camps, including Family Camp and Adventurers Day Camp.
Location: Park City, Utah
Price: $600 per week.
What to know:
- Overnight and day options.
- Specialized equipment and techniques available for adventure-packed, extreme sports adaptive recreation.
- Outdoor and adventure-focused.
4. Camp Dream
With an overall rating of 4.7 stars on Facebook, Camp Dream is a hit with families. In addition to offering traditional camp activities, Camp Dream also offers motorcycle rides, boat rides and waterslides. Accepting all physical and developmental disability types and ages (no one has ever been turned away due to disability or financial capability), the No. 1 priority of this camp is for kids to have fun.
Location: Hampton, Georgia
Price: Pay what you can.
What to know:
- Ages 4 through adult.
- Overnight camp.
- Pay what you can option.
5. Wonderland Camp
Wonderland Camp has been providing traditional camp activities to kids and adults with disabilities for over 50 years. Each week, there’s a different theme, so campers who are signed up for multiple weeks can have a new experience.
Location: Rocky Mount, Missouri
Price: $1050 per week.
What to know:
- Ages 6 and up.
- Overnight camp.
- Camper to counselor ratio is 1:1.
6. Camp Stand By Me
Instead of focusing on what campers can’t do, Camp Stand By Me focuses on what campers can do. Offering all the activities of a traditional summer camp, Camp Stand By Me does so in a safe, accessible, inclusive environment, with weeklong overnight options in the summer and weekend respites in the fall.
Location: Vaughn, Washington
Price: $800 per week or less.
What to know:
- Ages 7 to adult.
- Overnight.
- Activities such as campfires, boating, crafts, archery and more.
7. Recreation Unlimited
According to their website, the goal of Recreation Unlimited is to provide programs in “sports, recreation and education for individuals with disabilities and health concerns, while building self-confidence, self-esteem and promoting positive human relations, attitudes and behaviors.” Recreation Unlimited also hosts respite weekends.
Location: Ashley, Ohio
Price: Around $1,095 per week for residential camp.
What to know:
- Ages 5-22.
- Day and overnight options (day runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
- Traditional camp activities, such as crafts, sports and nature.
Summer camp for autism, ADHD and intellectual disabilities
The following camps are tailored towards kids on the autism spectrum and/or who have ADHD and intellectual disabilities. Camp Ki
8. Harbor Haven Day Camp
Harbor Haven Day Camp, which Flax recommends, is best suited for kids with mild to moderate special needs, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Asperger’s syndrome, high-functioning autism spectrum disorder and other types of learning, communication, sensory and social challenges, according to the website.
Location: Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Price: $1300/week or less for day camp.
What to know:
- Ages 3-18.
- Transportation is provided via bus; pick up times vary and buses leave the camp at 3:30 p.m.
- Siblings can attend for one week, free of cost.
- Academic reinforcement mapped to IEP goals.
9. Camp Yakety Yak
Camp Yakety Yak is a nonprofit day camp that helps special needs kids with their social and communication skills, with the goal of creating lifelong friendships. Each week there’s a new theme for campers, including “Under the Sea” and “Mysteries, Myths & Legends.”
Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon
Price: Starts at $635 a week.
What to know:
- Ages 5-22.
- Intensive practice in social skills (5 hours a day, 5 days a week).
- Weekly “Caregiver Connection” support meetings for parents and caregivers. .
10. Ability Connection
A tween- and teen-based camp for kids with intellectual or developmental disabilities, Ability Connection provides enriching activities on a full day schedule. Their goal — aside from having fun — is to prevent social skills from sliding during the summer months.
Location: Irving, Texas
Price: $800 for a four-week session.
What to know:
- Ages 10-17.
- Runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
11. Camp Encourage
The goal of Camp Encourage, per their mission statement, is to “provide youth on the autism spectrum meaningful experiences in which they build the knowledge, courage and skills to be empowered participants in the community.”
Location: Parkville, MO
Price:
What to know:
- Activities include water sports, cooking and dance.
- Direct social instruction.
- Visual strategies and sensory supports.
Camp for kids with illnesses
Consider these camps for children with serious illnesses, as well as their siblings.
12. Camp Kids are Kids
Camp Kids are Kids is located in the Palmer House, which is a hotel where the suites have been converted into cabins to simulate a traditional camp. The camp is geared towards ensuring kids living with cancer can have fun in a recreational environment that’s completely safe and medically sounds.
Location: Chicago
Price: Free
What to know:
- No financial cost to camper’s families.
- 24-hour medical care provided by physicians and nurses.
13. Dream Street at Canyon Ranch
Dream Street at Canyon Ranch is geared towards kids between the ages of 18-24 who are living with a life-threatening illness, such as cancer, leukemia and AIDS. For one to two weeks, participants take part in therapeutic workshops designed to facilitate emotional healing and prepare them for adulthood.
Price: $100 per week or less
What to know:
- Emphasis is on young adults dealing with illnesses.
- Self esteem, stress and body image are some of the many topics discussed.
Tips for finding the right special needs camp
During your search, there are a few key topics to discuss with camp directors and/or employees, according to Laura Buscemi, a licensed professional counselor with Thriveworks in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, who has worked with individuals with special needs for over a decade.
Here are a few she recommends talking about up front:
Ask what a typical day will look like. “Find out if there is a sense of predictability or if activities change and rotate,” she says. “And, if plans need to change, how are they communicated and addressed with the kids? You and your child will want to know what to expect, as best as anyone can.”
Conflict management. “Find out what the camp’s practices are for addressing camper issues,” she says. “What is in place to proactively avoid conflicts between campers and how is this addressed reactively after a peer conflict has occurred? If there are concerns, on behalf of your child or yourself, ask how these get addressed and what the protocol looks like?”
Discipline and behavior modification. “Ask what their practices look like for explaining and enforcing rules and consequences, both positive and negative,” notes Buscemi. “You will want to know how they approach behavior modification to make sure it is in line with your own values. Make sure to ask about practices regarding crisis management. If the camp uses restraining or other isolation practices this is something you are going to want to know ahead of time.”
Programs adaptability/willingness to problem solve (within reason). “Ask about their flexibility in placing unwanted demands on your child,” she says. “Is there an alternative activity they can do if they aren’t able to engage without difficulty? Is there an alternative snack if they don’t like the one they’re given? Having a clear understanding of what a program is and is not willing to do will give you an idea of what kind of collaborative partner you have for giving your child a great summer experience!”
Speak to other families. “Look at websites, speak with the camp director and ask to speak with other families whose children have gone there,” notes Flax. “Camp is a wonderful opportunity for children to make new friends, gain independence and appreciate the outdoors. Doing your research will help you find the best fit.”
Flax also adds that it’s also important to speak with your child’s teachers and therapists when narrowing down camps. “They know how your child behaves in a group setting, which is vital information for you and the camp you will be selecting,” she says. “Your child’s IEP goals should be considered so that the camp can help to promote their socialization, behavior, language, motor skills or educational skills.” Finally, consider using the Find A Camp tool on the ACA website, which helps families search for camps based on location, program type, activities and more.
