Every kid deserves the chance to be able to make friends, learn and play at camp, but finding a camp that fits is more complex for children with disabilities or chronic health conditions.
Some children need a camp that’s built with them and their needs in mind. Fortunately, there are many types of camps working to support kids of all ages and abilities. Here is a guide to different kinds of camps—what they offer and how they might meet the needs of your child.
Integrated Camps
Integrated camps serve campers with and without disabilities or chronic health conditions. These camps offer typical summer camp activities with a supportive, health-focused approach that allows kids with and without disabilities to mingle, play and bond.
Camps that encourage kids with and without disabilities to play and learn as peers encourage children to develop stronger empathy skills and think about inclusion in every environment. Children with disabilities can also benefit from this type of camp by developing a stronger sense of independence and confidence that comes from being included in a shared environment.
Some integrated camps, like Camp Accomplish in Nanjemoy, Maryland, use small counselor-camper ratios and support staff based on the needs of each individual camper. Camp Accomplish’s inclusive overnight program serves kids from ages 8 to 18. Counselor-camper ratios at this camp can vary from 1:1 to 1:8.
Condition-Specific Camps
Condition-specific camps focus on providing for the needs of campers with one condition or disability. These camps will usually have medical staff on site with training to support the needs of children with that specific condition, and programming at these camps is tailored to meeting their needs.
Camp Accomplish also offers condition-specific specialty camps, which give kids a chance to meet other kids, mentors and counselors with the same conditions. These specialty camps include autism, epilepsy, sickle cell anemia and other conditions which might require more support.
Camp Connect ASD, Camp Accomplish’s specialty camp for children and teens diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), provides campers with opportunities to practice appropriate social and communication skills and encourages discussion on topics relevant to children with ASD. Some of the discussion topics include how to handle bullying, what to do when teased and how to make friends.
Some camps in this category work to address specific needs common to several conditions.
Camp Lee Mar in Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania, offers a traditional overnight summer camp experience for children ages 7 to 21 who have learning or developmental challenges. This camp provides academic support in areas of language and math to give kids stability and help them maintain skills during the summer season.
General Accessibility Camps
Some camps specialize in supporting a variety of needs by focusing on accessibility and having trained medical staff who are able to provide assistance for campers with varied needs.
Easterseals Camp Fairlee, in Chestertown, Maryland, serves youth ages 6 to 21 and offers another group for adults who are 21 and older. The camp serves people with a wife variety of conditions by using a combination of nurses, medical technicians and an on-call physician. In addition to the medical staff, the camp trains all of its staff members in skills that help ensure everyone has their needs met. Some of these trainings include personal care supervision, lifting and transferring, behavior management, first aid
and CPR.
The Easterseals Camp Fairlee campus features an accessible swimming pool, zip line and climbing tower in addition to indoor activities like arts and crafts, music, pottery, board games and more.
General accessibility camps may also offer programs to help children with disabilities develop skills for independent living and self-advocacy.
Behavioral Needs Camps
Not all disabilities are physical. Some disability support camps cater to children who have emotional or behavioral needs that might not be met (or be able to be supported by) a traditional summer camp.
Camps with a focus on supporting behavioral or emotional needs help children by providing a safe environment to experience traditional camp life while giving these children access to
therapeutic opportunities.
Camp Attaway in Columbia, Maryland, serves children with emotional and behavioral disorders who are ages 7 to 13. The camp, which was founded by a child psychologist, bills itself as a chance for kids to break out of negative cycles and learn new skills.
Camp Attaway offers sports, nature exploration, rock climbing and other adventures in conjunction with therapeutic programming, which includes education and support groups for the family.
