Why camp is important for your special-needs child

Summer camp is an incredible experience for all children, but for children with special needs, camp can be a true respite from the challenges of everyday life and a chance to feel like they belong. Here are just a few of the many benefits of camp for a child with special needs:

Community

Many children with special needs often feel like they don’t fit in. They may not have many friends, and school, along with other social situations, are hard to navigate. Camp allows children with special needs to be part of a caring community.

“Special-needs camps provide children with an opportunity to truly belong to a community that’s designed specifically for them,” says Eric Sasson, director of Camp Akeela, a traditional co-ed overnight camp in Vermont that helps campers improve their social skills. “At camp, they meet others who share their interests and experiences — kids like them who understand their world view. For a few weeks each summer, they can be themselves without having to work so hard to fit in.

“At our final campfire on the last night of camp, we take time to reflect upon the time we’ve spent together as a community. We talk about all the campers’ wonderful accomplishments like becoming more independent, making new friends, and pushing themselves out of their comfort zone. We acknowledge that life outside of camp can be hard, and that not everyone they encounter will appreciate them for who they are. We encourage them, when faced with those difficulties, to remember how accepted and loved they feel in that moment, the final night of camp.”

Recreational activities

Often times, children with special needs have to forgo recreation to devote more time to academics, therapeutic interventions, or doctor’s appointments.

“One of the best aspects of camp for the special-needs camper is the opportunity to catch up on some well-deserved time to explore their interests, take a break, and learn how to structure their own leisure time, a skill that will help fend off depression that many special-needs adults are at risk for developing,” says Leah Love, assistant director of Summit Camp and Travel, a therapeutically designed sleep-away program in Pennsylvania for children with developmental, social, emotional, and learning issues.

“Athletics and team sports are often a lagging area for our campers. Throughout the course of the summer, our campers are given many opportunities to improve their skill and their ability to deal with competition, being part of a team and even dealing with the frustration associated with losing,” says Daniel Selmer, director of Endeavor, a program at Crestwood Country Day Camp in Melville, N.Y., tailored to meet the needs of children who have various social and emotional needs. “For those of our campers who take a liking to a specific sport or activity, we’re able to join with other groups at camp, so they can play more competitively. For those of our campers who prefer to play at a basic level, they are able to do so. This helps our campers be better prepared when they return to school or get together with friends and peers to play.”

Friendships

One of the greatest parts of the camp experience are the strong friendships that are formed. For children with special needs, this is one of the most important benefits of going to camp, since making friends can often be challenging.

“By bringing together children with similar strengths, challenges, interests, and experiences, special-needs camps are the perfect place for kids to connect with one another,” says Sasson. “One of the many benefits of any camp is a break from technology. For many children with special needs, this break is especially important. Handheld games are most often a solitary activity, and for children who have difficulty fitting in at school or interacting with their peers, this can be a source of comfort, but can also be quite isolating.

“When they do not have their video games to rely on, they are able to interact with their bunk mates, engage in activities, meet new people, and practice many of the critical social skills that are sometimes difficult for them.”

Life skills

As with any other camp, special-needs camps will teach children the life skills they need as they grow up.

“Camp offers the same benefits to the special-needs child as for any child. Children gain greater independence, increased self-esteem, a sense of purpose, and the chance to try new things,” says Love.

“Children are learning without feeling like they’re learning, and growing in ways that will shape who they become as adults,” adds Sasson. “Special-needs camp communities are intentional about building life skills lessons into everything they do throughout their daily schedules. Social-emotional growth is explicitly what special-needs camp is all about, and at our camp, we focus on empathy and emotional intelligence, communication and listening, kindness and respect for others, and critical thinking and problem solving.”

Jess Michaels is the director of communications for the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the summer camp experience. For free, one-on-one advice in finding a camp, call the American Camp Association at (212) 391–5208.

Relevant Directory Listings

See More

Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp

<p>Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp offers five daily rotating activities such as swimming, ice skating gymnastics, rock climbing, parkour, indoor/outdoor turf, and courts plus more in its ample 175,000 sq. ft. facility and 35-acre outdoor area. Aviator Summer Camp also offers off-site and on-site field trips such as a day at Green Meadows Farm, Launch Trampoline Park, and a Brooklyn Cyclones game. The summer camp runs from 9 am-5 pm with early drop off and late stay available. Bus transportation is also available throughout Brooklyn. Lunch and an afternoon snack are included. Sign up by February 28th to receive up to $300 off camp with early bird discounts.</p>

Extreme STEAM Science Kids at Park Shore

<p>If your child has a passion for science and technology, our unique educational summer program is tailor-made for them! Immerse your young scientist in a world of robotics, mechanical and electrical engineering, coding, science, art, and mathematics, all while ensuring a fun and engaging learning experience. Housed in our state-of-the-art three-story STEAM Science Center and Hydroponics Grow Lab on our expansive 15-acre campus, the program goes beyond the ordinary.</p> <p>Our thematic 2-week sessions, designed for grades 1-5, are carefully crafted to stimulate curiosity in science and foster the development of essential 21st Century Skills. From hands-on experiments to exciting projects, your child will explore the wonders of STEAM subjects in a dynamic and supportive environment.</p> <p>The learning experience extends beyond the classroom with scientific field trips that enhance the understanding of real-world applications. These excursions provide a valuable opportunity for students to witness the practical implications of the concepts they learn in the program.</p> <p>The morning program is just the beginning; we offer the flexibility to extend the day, allowing your child to delve into all the amazing activities Park Shore has to offer. From engaging in outdoor adventures to participating in creative arts and athletic activities, the options are vast, ensuring a well-rounded and enriching summer experience.</p> <p>Enrolling now for the Summer of 2024 comes with the added benefit of Early Rates, making this educational journey not only enriching but also affordable. Don't miss out on the opportunity to spark your child's love for learning and exploration. Join us for a summer filled with discovery, creativity, and endless possibilities!</p>

Adirondack Camp

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Established in 1904, Adirondack Camp is a traditional, overnight co-ed camp for boys and girls ages 7 to 16 located on world-famous Lake George in beautiful Upstate New York.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Welcome to one of the best and oldest traditional overnight summer camps in the United States. For over a century, Adirondack Camp has been an extraordinary place where unforgettable memories, bold hearts, and lifelong friendships are made. Our co-ed camp is situated on a gorgeous, private peninsula with 1.8 miles of Lake George shoreline in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• Co-ed sleepaway for ages 7-16</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• 30+ activities across land, water, and the Arts</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• Rustic, open-air cabins</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• 3:1 Camper-to-counselor ratio</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• Amazing wilderness trips program</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• Global Community: Campers and staff from around the world!</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• A Century-Old, Generational Color War</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• 4-, 6-, and 8-week sessions</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">• 2-week option for first-timers, ages 7-9</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For dates + rates and more info, please visit </span><a style="text-decoration-line: none;" href="https://www.adirondackcamp.com/"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #1155cc; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AdirondackCamp.com</span></a></p>