Special Needs Camps

Overnight Summer Camps - Special Needs Camps

Asperger's, autism, asthma, respiratory illnesses, bereavement, burn, cancer, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, colitis, developmental disabilities, diabetes, enuresis (bed wetting), high risk ODD, HIV/AIDS learning disabilities/AD/HD, LD, ADD, ADHD, leukemia, mainstream, oncology, physical disabilities, social skills, speech/hearing impairments, therapeutic wilderness, horse-back therapeutic riding, visully impaired, blind and more.

Types of special needs camps: physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, ADD, mobility issues, grief, depression, weight loss camps, behavior issues, emotional issues, special diets, celiac disease, diet issues, anorexia, bulimia and more.

Asperger's , autism, asthma, respiratory illnesses, bereavement, burn, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, colitis, developmental disabilities, diabetes, enuresis (bed wetting), high risk ODD, HIV/AIDS learning disabilities/AD/HD, LD, ADD, ADHD, leukemia, mainstream, oncology, physical disabilities, social skills, speech/hearing impairments, therapeutic wilderness, horse-back therapeutic riding, visually impaired, blind, etc.

Free or tuition-paid, scholarships or grants may be available through churches, disability organizations or other philanthropic organizations.  

Advantages of a Sleepaway or Special Needs Overnight Summer Camp:

The environment is especially geared to your child's special needs.
The child has the opportunity to socialize with peers with the same or similar disabilities.
It's an opportunity for networking with other families with similar issues.
The expectation that all activities and rules will be appropriate for your child (but you'll need to check this out in advance.)

Disadvantages of a Sleepaway Special Needs Overnight Summer Camp:

The camp may not be close by, requiring extensive or expensive transportation, extra time or a residential stay for a parent.
Tuition can be very expensive for special needs camps.
All children have unique situations within the same disability; accommodations made for one child may be detrimental to another.
If there is a reliance on inexperienced high-school or college-age counselors to do most of the work with the campers this may cause even a good program to be implemented improperly.

Questions to ask about Special Needs Overnight Summer Camps:

How much will the special needs overnight summer camp cost; find out if there are hidden expenses?

Are there adult counselors?

Do they have special-ed degrees and overnight camping and special-ed experience?

How involved are the camp counselors in the day-to-day activities of the various groups of campers?

Can I arrange for my child to have a one-on-one aide, assistant or even a nurse, if its necessary?

What will that person's age be and their qualifications?

How much will they cost?

What are the rules in regard to discipline and behavior management?  Are they strict or loosely applied?

Can my special needs child have his or her own behavior plan if necessary?

Who would implement it?

Is there transportation to and from the overnight summer camp?

Is there tuition assistance?

Are there grants or scholarships available?

Are there special services like speech therapy, occupational therapy or physical therapy on the camp site?

How much do these services typically cost?

These are just a few of the questions you'll want to ask and research before you send your special needs child off to overnight summer camp

Also see: Special Needs Overnight Summer Camp

Also see: Camps for the Disabled