Finding Camps for Children with Special Needs

Every child deserves the opportunity to go to camp. But if you have a child who has special needs, it can be really hard to find a camp that provides the necessary accommodations. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to find camps that provide your kid with the extra support they need:

1. Identify Your Child’s Needs
Before you begin your search, you need to consider the kind of physical, emotional, medical, and social support your child needs. You also need to decide what kind of camp you prefer your child to attend. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that all summer camps must provide reasonable modifications (like wheelchair-accessible ramps and other basic accommodations) to enable campers with disabilities to participate fully in camp programs. However, some camps are designated for kids with specific special needs or problems, like autism, Down syndrome, diabetes, cancer, speech or hearing problems, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, or epilepsy. Ask your child what their preferences are and what they want to get out of summer camp to determine what kind of camp experience might be most comfortable for them.

2. Search Online Resources
Use the search tools and listings of camps serving special needs by the American Camp Association (ACA), My Summer Camps, Kids Camps, and local disability organizations or nonprofits supporting children with disabilities to discover camps nearby and nationwide that are tailored to meet your child’s needs. The ACA, for example, breaks down the types of camps, cost, length of stay, state/region, and campers’ ages so you can filter your search accordingly.

3. Reach Out to Support Networks
Ask parents from your local or online support groups for parents of children with special needs if they have ever sent their kids to camp and what it was like. Hearing someone’s personal experience firsthand can be really helpful. Plus, your child’s special education teachers, counselors, or therapists might have recommendations.

4. Consider Location and Type of Camp
Within the two categories of inclusionary camps and mainstream camps that have adapted to the needs of kids with mental and physical impairments, there are still many different camps to consider. Nonprofit camps, for-profit camps, religious camps, private camps, day camps, weekend camps, and sleepover camps for the summer are just a few.

5. Contact the Camp (Visit If Possible)
While research and word of mouth can be extremely helpful, sometimes you just won’t know the answers to your questions unless you ask. Renee Flax, director of camper placement at the ACA of New York and New Jersey, encourages parents to be proactive and go beyond scrolling on the website: “Look at websites, speak with the camp director, and ask to speak with other families whose children have gone there…. 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.”

6. Ask Specific Questions
Touring the facilities and speaking with the staff can help you gauge whether or not it would be a good fit for your child. Don’t be afraid to ask about the ratio of staff to campers and what accommodations are available. It can also be an ideal time to ensure the camp is ACA-accredited and follows safety and care standards. “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?” shares Tom Rosenberg, president and CEO of the American Camp Association (ACA). “Is the camp willing to work closely with you before the 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.”

Here are a few questions you can ask:

• How do you ensure safety for children with special needs?
• What types of accommodations or therapies are offered?
• What is the staff’s training or experience in working with children like mine?
• What will a typical day look like?
• How are discipline and behavior modification handled?
• How does the camp manage conflict?
• How long are the camp sessions?
• If my child needs a special diet, can the camp provide appropriate meals?
• What type of certification do the counselors have?
• What’s the turnover rate? Do kids and staff come back?
• What’s the camp’s philosophy? Does it fit with my goals for my child?
• What kind of medical and nursing staff is available in the infirmary and during what hours? Can the staff administer any medications my child needs?

7. Explore Funding Options
Be sure to also ask the camp about if they offer scholarships or financial aid. You can also reach out to local charities, civic organizations (such as Lions, Kiwanis, and Rotary Clubs), and government programs to ask about scholarship opportunities. Plus, religious and ethnic charities also often have financial aid available.

Camp should be a fun, memorable, growing experience for all kids of all abilities. Use these tips to pinpoint a camp that tailors to your child’s needs so they can enjoy the pleasures of camp without you stressing about it every second they’re there.