There are also camps for children with special needs. These camps can help children learn more
about their medical condition, and more importantly, meet other kids with similar problems and help build their self esteem.
How do you find a summer camp for your child with special needs? Your doctor, especially if
you are seeing a specialist, should be aware of camps in your area that your child could attend.
Sending Your Child To A Special Needs Camp - There are many types of camps to choose from, including camps intended just for your
child's special needs to mainstream camps where your child will be with kids who have no special needs.
Finding A Camp For Your Child With Special Needs - There are more camp choices now than at any other time for kids with special needs.
With careful consideration of what will benefit your child most, along with thorough research, you should be able to find
the right camp for your child.
Directory of Summer Camps (CAMPS1) - Plan for the summer using
this listing of directories and Web sites about summer camps for children with
disabilities. 2003-2004 2 pages in PDF format
Possible Resources
When contacting a camp, ask if they have special funding available to help cover costs,
or a "sliding scale" where costs is based on your income.
The American Camping Association has a useful search feature, where you can input your child's medical condition and
what state or region you would like to find a camp in.
Easter Seals - offers nationwide camping and
recreational programs for children and adults with disabilities. With over 140 facilities nationwide everyone can enjoy
the thrill and challenges of summer camping. Easter Seals offers three types of camping programs: day camps, residential camps
and respite camps. Phone 800-221-6827
The below were just a few found searching individual states on this page
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Possible Resources
continued
Arizona Camp Sunrise - Camp Sunrise is a one-week camp in July for children who have, or have
had, cancer. At Camp Sunrise, your child is just another camper, not "the kid with cancer."
Florida - Summer Camps/special needsFlorida offers a wide variety of camp activities to suit every interest. The Boggy Creek Gang Camp- Hugs are part of the daily dietary requirements of The Boggy Creek Gang Camp.
Each child has the opportunity to just be and not feel different because of an illness or a disability.
Maryland-Over The Rainbow Day camp for children ages 3 1/2 to 12 years with sensory integration, motor, and
attention problems. Areas of service and/or expertise: speech therapy.
Utah-Camp Hobe: A special summer camp experience designed for children currently being treated for cancer,
as well as their siblings.
Texas - Camp Summit - A residential camp for children, youth, and adults who are developmentally
delayed, physically challenged, multi-disabled or dual sensory impaired.
Virginia - Summer Solutions - Camp Referrals Provides free service that advises families on camps, trips, sleep away camps, academic programs,
specialty camps, and learning disabilities and ADD camp programs. Fees are no costs to families. Fees paid for by camps.
Canada - Aladdin Children's Wish Program - Summer Camp Programs - a variety of independent summer camps with programs
suitable to their needs. The camps that actively participate with us are Scar-borough Parks, Fraser Lake, Children's Clubhouse
and Camp Quality. For children between the ages of 3 and 13 who are diagnosed with a serious illness or life-threatening medical
condition are eligible for a wish. |
