Got Camp? There is a camp for every kid! Here is some helpful information about finding a camp for 2005. Happy Camping!

A summary from the CAC.

Thanks to Karen Lawson for her research!

Hit Ctrl and click on the links below for comprehensive camp information!

Got Camp?

Remember the lazy days of summer? For most kids, going to camp is a fun way to spend several weeks in the summer making life long friends and learning new and exciting things about themselves and their world. The same is true with kids that have special needs.

If you have a child with special needs, the thought of finding a camp can be overwhelming. Actually finding one and gathering the strength to send them off on their own is down right anxiety producing!

As parents of children, we have an obligation to provide our children with safe environments to learn, grow, and develop their independence. As parents of children with special needs, the task of finding the right camp is a little more challenging.

Got Questions?

Where do I begin? ….. In one word…… net-work. Ask people you know. Use the Net and get to work!

You have begun. Great sources of information might be other parents whose children have similar talents and/or needs. Your child’s teacher, therapists, physicians etc. are great resources. Camps change yearly so they may not have specifics but they might give you some helpful starting points.

Should I send my child to a “regular” camp or a “special needs” camp?

How do I find a camp that will meet my child’s needs? How do I know they will take good care of my child and the experience will be positive and not negative for my child? What if they don’t understand my child’s needs?

Sending your child to a camp that is geared toward developing their strengths and has experienced and trained staff to deal with their special needs is a wonderful gift to give your child. Many mainstream camps are fantastic and are willing to accommodate. Depending on your child’s medical, physical, behavioral, social or special needs, a camp that is experienced in dealing with your child’s needs will most likely enhance your camper’s experience. Many children like going to camp because it is an opportunity for them to spend time with true peers, children that share many of the same thoughts, feelings and experiences.

Should I send my child to day camp or residential camp?

How about a combination? You know your child better than anyone or do you? Are you willing to take some risks and provide your child with an opportunity to build some independence skills? Many parents believe their child has too many special needs and is not ready to go to a residential camp. Actually, an accredited residential camp with experienced and skilled staff offers your child a unique safe experience that is quite different than day camp. Many children will attend day camp at some point during the summer, especially if parents are working.

If I choose a residential camp, do I stay local, in state, in country or international?

My advice to you is to find the right camp for your child first. Search the world for the right program if for no other reason than to know what is out there and to understand a full range of options. Then determine the criteria you are going to use to screen your options. Affordability, length of program, conflicts of sessions with other family commitments, etc.

Remember, the needs of child will have an impact on some things but if your child is going to a reputable camp for a period of time, you probably will not be seeing your child for the duration of their residential camp experience. Many camps have nurses and therapists on site and are close to medical facilities. So if affordability is not an issue and you can fly them to Canada for a camp that best meets their needs …… consider it. You are going to miss them whether they are in state or out of state. And hopefully they will miss you a little too!

Here are some helpful hints and some fantastic websites that can link you up with some pretty amazing camps.

The fact that you are reading this means you are asking! You are on track.

Spend and hour on the internet and see what is out there. Google or Yahoo searches are very useful. Type in your child’s medical diagnosis or disabilities (or for starter “special needs” and then the words summer camp. You will see some search results below. Almost every camp has a profile and a website that you can review for a comprehensive understanding of what the camp is all about. Names of the camp directors are also on

Choose an accredited camp that has a solid reputation. The American Camping Association has solid criteria and standards for their camps. They have a fantastic website. See examples below. Their site allows you to search by variables. You can search by state special need or specialty.

The American Camping Association accredits camps. The website is excellent and filled with articles. http://www.acacamps.org/. There is a special links for special needs http://www.acacamps.org/.

Below is a camp sort with links for special needs camps in California. This is just an example of a search. Check out the website!

http://find.acacamps.org/cgi/search.cgi?specialty=&challenge=2&fee=&location=st_CA&session_length=&ages=&Submit3=Search

Camp A Lot	San Diego, CA
Summer resident camp for children & adults with developmental disabilities.... more info.
Camp Costanoan	Cupertino, CA
Costanoan is a residential, respite & recreational camp for children & adults with disabilities. Our mission is to help campers achieve greater self-sufficiency... more info.
Camp Forrest	Joshua Tree, CA
We offer an integrated camp experience with disabled & able-bodied campers in a unique desert surrounding. Explore abilities while overcoming social boundaries.... more info.
Camp Joan Mier	Malibu, CA
All facilities are wheelchair accessible.... more info.
Camp Krem - Camping Unlimited	Boulder Creek, CA
Santa Cruz Mountains, residential summer camp for children and adults with disabilities. Traditional, free-choice programs, cabin, outdoor and travel camping.... more info.
Camp Paivika	Crestline, CA
All facilities are wheelchair accessible.... more info.
Camp ReCreation	Susanville, CA
Camp ReCreation is a non-denominational residential summer camping program serving Northern California children and adults with developmental disabilities.... more info.
Camp Ronald McDonald at Eagle	Susanville, CA
Camp Ronald McDonald is a residential summer camp for children and adults with special needs.... more info.
Easter Seal Camp Harmon	Boulder Creek, CA
A resident coed camp for disabled children and adults. Helps establish independence, friendships and varied recreational opportunities.... more info.
Jay Nolan Camp	Mission Hills, CA
Jay Nolan camp is an inclusive camp for children with/without autism, with emphasis on respecting differences, teamwork, and cultivating positive relationships.... more info.

Another great site is My Summer Camps. They list out special needs as you can see below. If you hit control and click the link it will take you right to the website.

http://www.mysummercamps.com/camps/Special_Needs_Camps/index.html

· Asthma Camps

· Autism Camps

· Blood Disorder Camps

· Burn Camps

· Cancer Camps

· Cerebral Palsy Camps

· Cystic Fibrosis Camps

· Developmental Disabilities Camps

· Diabetes Camps

· Epilepsy Camps

· Hearing Impaired Camps

· HIV and AIDS Camps

· Learning Disabilities and ADHD Camps

· Mainstreaming Camps

· Mental Retardation Camps

· Muscular Dystrophy Camps

· Other Special Needs Camps

· Physical Disabilities Camps

· Speech Impaired Camps

· Spina Bifida Camps

· Substance Abuse Camps

· Tourettes Syndrome Camps

· Visually Impaired Camps

Here are some additional links for special needs camps around the country and Canada with a brief description. Many of these camps service are variety of children. You can hit control and click the link and it will take you to the camp. Or use the website below if you are having trouble with the links

http://www.dmoz.org/Recreation/Camps/Special_Needs/

• Camp Huntington - Co-ed, overnight, 7-week program serving 6-21 year old campers with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, ADD, PDD, autism and other special needs. Located in High Falls, New York. Activities, daily schedule, facilities, dates, rates, and information request form.
• Alternative Summer Camps - Therapeutic wilderness experiences for adolescents, pre-teens, and adults. Descriptions and links for a variety of programs in different states.
• Amasa - Christian camps and retreats in British Columbia for adults who have mental handicaps and for children with physical or mental handicaps.
• Cadmus Cultural Camp - Provides opportunities for mentally retarded adults to have a full, exciting and very social summer experience. Campers will be housed in five of the life sharing households while some of their full time residents are on their vacations. Located in Massachusetts.
• Camp Allen - Private, non-profit, residential summer camp for individuals with physical and/or developmental disabilities. Located in Bedford, New Hampshire. Schedule, activities, photos, and application forms.
• Camp Courageous - Year-round recreational and respite care activities in a camp setting in Iowa.
• Camp Easter Seals New Mexico - Offers one-week sessions for kids and adults with physical and/or mental disabilities. Held at Kamp Kiwanis in Vanderwagen, New Mexico. Past season recaps, staff, map, and contact information.
• Camp Greentop - A residential camp located on 200 acres in the Catoctin Mountain National Park, six miles west of Thurmont, Maryland, for children and adults with physical and multiple disabilities. Established in 1937.
• Camp Heartland - The world's largest camping and outreach program for children ages 7 to 16 who are living in the shadow of HIV or AIDS. Just a short trip north of Minneapolis and St. Paul in Willow River, Minnesota.
• Camp Huntington - Co-ed, overnight, 7-week program serving 6-21 year old campers with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, ADD, PDD, autism and other special needs. Located in High Falls, New York. Activities, daily schedule, facilities, dates, rates, and information request form.
• Camp Jened - Provides a vacation for adults who have a wide range of physical and developmental disabilities, such as Cerebral Palsy, Downs Syndrome, Autism and Behavior Disorders. Located in New York.
• Camp Kodiak - Integrated summer camp for children and teens with and without learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder. Non-competitive environment with over 50 sports and activities. Social Skills Program, Academic Program. 2-to-1 camper-to-staff ratio.
• Camp Lee Mar - All the fun and activities of a traditional summer camp. Also academics, speech and language therapy, and vocational preparation.
• Camp Northwood - A seven week summer camp for children with learning challenges. Located in Rock Hill, New York.
• Camp Nuhop - A summer residential program for any youngster from 6 to 16 with a learning disability, behavior disorder, or attention deficit disorder.
• Camp Oakhurst - Serves children and adults with physical disabilities. Summer camp, year round respite and vacation programs. Located in New Jersey.
• Camp Optimism - A residential summer camp for handicapped children with mental or physical disabilities. Located in Virginia.
• Camp ReCreation - A residential summer camp program in California which offers participants with developmental disabilities opportunities for fun, social interaction, skill development, and spiritual growth while increasing the awareness and acceptance of participants in the larger community.
• Camp Rotary - Residential summer camp for children and adults with physical or developmental disabilities. Located on Grand Lake in New Brunswick, Canada. Schedule, programs, facilities, photos, and detailed information for campers and parents.
• Camp Rubber Soul - A recreation camp offering one week overnight sessions for children with varying degrees of disabilities. A one to one counselor ratio offers a unique, fulfilling, and rewarding experience.
• Camp Starfish - Serves emotionally, behaviorally, and learning disabled children by providing a safe therapeutic milieu in a natural camp setting with a one-one camper to staff ratio. Description of Massachusetts camp, pictures, camper and counselor applications.
• Camp Summit - A residential camp in Texas for children, youth, and adults who are developmentally delayed, physically challenged, multi-disabled or dual sensory impaired.
• Camp Tamarack - Summer programs for children and teens with learning disabilities, offering academic instruction and traditional camp activities. Located in Saskatchewan, Canada. Mission, programs, and forms for campers and staff.
• Camp Thorpe - Non-profit organization offers two summer camps in Goshen, Vermont with age appropriate programs: Mountain Reach accepts children ages 10 to 20 with physical and mental challenges including cerebral palsy, developmental delays, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, emotional difficulties, abuse histories, and moderate behavioral conditions. Pine Haven accepts campers ages 21 and over who have physical and mental challenges.
• Camp Thorpe - Located in Goshen, Vermont. Operates two summer camp programs - one for adults and one for children. Accepts children ages 10-20 with a variety of physical and mental challenges including cerebral palsy, developmental delays, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, moderate emotional difficulties, down-syndrome, and abuse histories. The adult program's campers are primarily developmentally disabled. However, some campers are physically challenged, autistic, have moderate behavioral problems, and have personal care needs. Program, schedule, directions, and application form.
• Camp Thunderbird - Six or twelve-day sessions available between June and August for developmentally disabled individuals of all ages. Located at Wekiva Springs State Park in Apopka, Florida. Application, schedule, rates, and contact information.
• Camp Timberwolf - Experiential outdoor tent camping program for boys and girls ages 6 through 12 with ADD, ADHD, LD, OCD and similar behavioral challenges. Based on the grounds of Highland Lake Inn and Country Retreat in Flat Rock, North Carolina. Program, staff, dates, rates, and online registration.
• Camp Winston - Offers residential recreational summer programs for campers with complex neurological disorders such as Tourette Syndrome, ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, autism, and other PDD spectrum disorders. Located on Sparrow Lake in the Muskoka Region of Ontario, Canda.
• Camping Unlimited - A residential camp for children with developmental disabilities in Northern California's Santa Cruz Mountains.
• Camps 4R Kids Foundation - A non-profit organization that seeks donations to fund free family camps and recreational experiences for kids with disabilities and their families.
• Children's Association for Maximum Potential (C.A.M.P.) - A Texas non-profit organization that provides camping and respite services to children with developmental, physical and mental disabilities and their families.
• Connecticut - Hole In The Wall Gang - A camp for children with cancer and serious blood diseases.
• The Double "H" Hole in the Woods Ranch - New York camp for children with physical and emotional disorders.
• The Fowler Center for Outdoor Learning - Located in Michigan, provides recreational opportunities for children and adults with mental and physical disabilities, including trails, adapted horseback riding, organic garden, and barnyard.
• Happy Adventure Summer Camp - Day summer camp serving severely developmentally and physically disabled children and young adults from Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, and Ventura, California.
• High Esteem's Camp Goodwill - A central New York not-for-profit that provides residential camping as well as, year round programs for children/young adults with physical disabilities and of special needs.
• Inspiration Center - Handicap accessible Christian camp and retreat center offers programs for both physically and mentally challenged children and adults. Also available for group retreats. Located in Walworth, Wisconsin. Schedule, fees, and registration forms.
• Kamp Dovetail - A volunteer run summer camp for children with physical and mental disabilities in Ohio
• Kelly's - Created by a former camper at a muscular dystrophy camp. It was made to give information and a pictorial look into the activities for children at these camps.
• Kostopulos Dream Foundation - Summer camp for campers of all ages and ability levels for over 30 years. Salt Lake City, UT.
• The Learning Camp - Summer camp for 7-17 year old ADHD, ADD, learning disabled, and dyslexic children offers academic tutoring and traditional camp activities. Located in Vail Valley, Colorado. Includes photos, staff profiles, testimonials, and registration form.
• Lions Bear Lake Camp - Offers a free camp for visually impaired youth and a low-cost camp for hearing impaired youth. Facility is also available for rental year-round, with discounts to special needs and nonprofit/youth groups. Located in Lapeer, Michigan. Photos, programs, fees, and information request forms.
• Lions Club Camp Kirk - Co-ed residential camp whose mission is to provide a nurturing, non-competitive, and structured atmosphere for 6 to 14 years olds who have learning disabilities and/or ADD/ADHD. Located in Kirkfield, Ontario. Testimonials, FAQ, dates, rates, and application.
• Mid Hudson Valley Camp - New York camp for mentally/physically challenged persons, and children with cancer or HIV. High school and college staff volunteer time each summer. Sponsored by the Marist Brothers.
• PA Lions Beacon Lodge Camp - Non-profit summer camp offers programs for children and adults with visual, hearing, or other physical challenges. Located in Mount Union, Pennsylvania. Includes schedule, eligibility criteria, facilities, activities, and ways to support the camp.
• Partners in Adventure - Fully inclusive and non-competitive program in Burlington, Vermont for young people 12 to 21 with a full range of physical and developmental abilities and their non-disabled peers. Organization history, dates, rates, and forms.
• Recreation Unlimited - Summer camp, day camp, respite retreat weekends for mentally and physically challenged from 8 to 80 years old. A 165 acre campus in North Central Ohio.
• Sedona Asthma Camp - Held on the campus of Verde Valley Preparatory School in Sedona, Arizona. Allows the asthmatic child to experience traditional Western camp activities in a medically-monitored and controlled environment. Includes list of activities, dates, fees, and photo gallery.
• Shady Oaks Camp - An 8 week residential summer camp for children and adults with disabilities. The camp is located in Lockport, Illinois on 50 acres of land. Owned and operated by the Parents Association for Cerebral Palsy Children, a not for profit organization.
• SOAR - Operating out of Balsam, North Carolina, and Dubois, Wyoming, SOAR leads high adventure programs for LD and ADHD preteens, teens, and adults throughout the Southeast, Florida Keys, Caribbean, Rockies and Desert Southwest. Programs, staff profiles, FAQ, and application form.
• Special Touch - An organization whose goal is to provide disabled individuals around the United States or their families with a summer camp and a chapter support group they can attend.
• Stone Mountain School - Summer camp operated by a residential school for boys in grades 6 though 12 with learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and emotional issues. Located in North Carolina.
• Summit Camp and Travel - Serving boys and girls classified as having attention deficit disorders and possible concomitant learning disabilities or mild emotional problems. Located in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, 3 hours from New York City.
• Tlisman Summer Camps - Base camps and adventure programs for children and teens ages 9-17 with LD, ADD, ADHD, Asperger's syndrome, and autism. Located in Black Mountain, North Carolina. Photos, program details, dates, rates, and registration forms.
• Therapeutic Holidays Camp - Charitable organization, located in Crete, offering holidays combined with an extensive range of healing programs and activities to people with various disabilities and social adjustment problems. Photos, programs, activities, and contact information.
• White Harvest Christian Camp and Conference Center - Inter-Denominational Christian camp and retreat center for boys and girls with special needs. Located in White Top, Virginia. Vision and mission statements, calendar of events, and ministry updates.
• Wonderland Summer Camp - Missouri camp provides summer programs for adults and children with physical or mental challenges including: MS, multiple dystrophy, cerebral palsy, downs syndrome, prader-willi syndrome.

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• Aspen Camp School for the Deaf - Summer and winter camp programs for kids ages 8-18 who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Christian Deaf Camp - Camp for deaf and hearing impaired children, held at the Aldersgate Camp and Retreat Center in Irvine, KY, located near Richmond. Includes both hearing and deaf persons as counselors, and American Sign Language is used in all activities.
• Deaf Kids Kamp - Sponsor-supported week-long camp for 6-17 year old deaf children who communicate in sign language. Located in Southern California. Requirements, cost, FAQ, and sponsorship information.
• Lions Wilderness Camp for Deaf Children - A camp experience sponsored by the Lions Clubs of California and Nevada where deaf children ages 6 to 15 can learn outdoor skills and enjoy the beauty of nature to the fullest.
• The Barton Center - For those with Type I diabetes and their families. Offers resident summer camp in North Oxford, Massachusetts for girls ages 6-17; day camps in Long Island and Manhattan, Worcester and Newton, Massachusetts, and Greenwich, Connecticut for boys and girls ages 6-12; adventure programs for high school aged boys and girls; and family programs. Calendar, program descriptions and rates, facilities, and alumni information.

· Camp Ho Mita Koda - Founded in 1929, this is the oldest continuing camp for children with diabetes in the world. Located in Newbury, Ohio. Offers resident camps for 8-15 year olds and single day programs for younger children and their parents. Activities, schedule, fees, and registration form.

• Canadian Diabetes Association: Summer Camps - A directory of summer camps for young people with type 1 diabetes. Includes dates, prices, and links to the camp web sites. Divided by province.
• Children with Diabetes: Camps for Children with Diabetes - A directory of camps in Canada and the U.S. for children with type 1 diabetes.
• Diabetes Camping Association: Links - Other diabetes-related organizations and a directory of camps for diabetic divided by country.

The Elliott P. Joslin Camps for Children with Diabetes - Operates summer resident camp for boys 7-16 in Charlton, Massachusetts, wilderness trips, and co-ed programs at Agnes H. Trask Center in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Photos, program overview, dates, rates, and forms.

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Another example if you are looking for California Camps. The website is linked but the individual camps are not. Many of these camps are listed above and can be seen through the website

http://www.mysummercamps.com/camps/Special_Needs_Camps/

Bearskin Meadow Camp - Diabetic Youth Foundation
Kings Canyon National Park, California, USA   Phone: 925-937-3393

California Lions Camp - Deaf Camp 2002
Ahwahnee, California, USA   Phone: 559-323-9995 or 559-683-4660
Free camp for deaf/hard of hearing children, children of deaf adults, siblings of deaf children. Outdoor activities including horseriding, langauge and culture modeling program, iMovie/Quicktime aciti

Camp Bloomfield, Foundation for the Junior Blind
Malibu, California, USA   Phone: 323-295-4555 x 291

Camp De Los Ninos
Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA   Phone: 408-287-3785
Camp de los Ni?os is located just off of scenic route highway 9 in thebeautiful redwood forest of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Join youth from allover California for a week of fun, educational activities

Camp DJ Sequoia Lake
Kings Canyon National Park, California, USA   Phone: 408-287-3785
Camp DJ Sequoia Lake is located outside of Kings Canyon National Park. Thelandscape around this camp is studded with the largest of living things, theGiant Sequoia trees. Some of these trees are more

Camp Fox
Avalon, California, USA   Phone: 408-287-3785
Camp DJ Sequoia Lake is located outside of Kings Canyon National Park. Thelandscape around this camp is studded with the largest of living things, theGiant Sequoia trees. Some of these trees are more

Camp Laurel-For Children Living With HIV/AIDS
Los Angeles, California, USA   Phone: 213-653-5005

Camp Max Straus
Glendale, California, USA   Phone: 818-957-4900
Serves children with ADD/ADHD, low self-esteem, abuse, neglect issues, poor social skills, multi-racial, nondenominational.

Camp Okizu
Berry Creek, California, USA   Phone: 415-382-9083
A special place for children with cancer and their siblings. Family weekends

Camp Rainbow
Glendale, California, USA   Phone: 818-450-0335, (310)-967-1166
Blood Disorder, Cancer, HIV/AIDS

Cruise Camp
Los Angeles, California, USA   Phone: 408-287-3785
Experience the beauty of the Mexican Baja Peninsula as we explore sunnyEnsenada, Mexico. You'll find glistening beaches just right for a leisurely stroll. Visit Ensenada's rugged coast and marvel as L

Devil Mountain Summer Camp
Danville, California, USA   Phone: 925-837-5375
Our camp serves families,mothers & children who have suffered thru substance abuse & domestic violence.Invitation only.

Diabetes Day Camps
San Jose, California, USA   Phone: 408-287-3785
Is the place for fun and adventure, it provides vital educationalexperiences for children to learn more about their diabetes. The Day Campsite has playing fields, play ground equipment and indoor activities.

Diabetes Family Camps
San Jose, California, USA   Phone: 408-287-3785
Parents, if you've been looking for a diabetes camp that is exciting,affordable, educational, yet not too time consuming for your family, we have a weekend camp for you. Family Camp runs from Friday evening……

http://www.mysummercamps.com/camps/Special_Needs_Camps/index.html

Happy Camping!!