There really is nothing quite like summer camp. Although fresh lake swimming and archery and long hikes through cathedrals of trees strike vivid memories, you can ask almost anyone who has attended a summer camp what their number one memory was and more likely than not they will talk about the people...the connections built around the laughter at a campfire or the whispered chatter of bedtime. For children with special needs, summer camps are the perfect time to make connections with peers who share the same highs and lows of their everyday walk. Summer camps specific to a special need can also provide much needed respite for care givers.
The following is a list of summer camps available around the country for children with special needs. Please note, camp schedules may vary from year to year. Your best bet it to contact the organization directly for specific questions regarding locations and dates for the current year.
Albinism: NOAH Family Camp
Autism: Autism Speaks
Blind or Visually Impaired: Christian Record-Services for the Blind
Burn: International Association of Burn Camps
Cerebral Palsy: Easter Seals
Craniofacial Conditions: Cleft Palate Foundation
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH): CARES Foundation
Congenital Heart Defect (CHD): Summer Camps
Crohn's and Colitis: Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America
Down Syndrome: Down Syndrome Foundation
Dwarfism: Camp Little People
Epilepsy: Epilepsy Foundation
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: National Organization of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Hearing Loss: Listening and Spoken Language Knowledge Center
Hemophilia: National Helophilia Foundation
HIV/AIDS: Summer Camps
Hydrocephalus: Hydrocephalus Association
Limb Difference: Summer Camps
Spina Bifida: Spina Bifida Association
Skin Conditions: American Academy of Dermatology
Thalassemia: Painted Turtle Camp
Turner Syndrome: Turner Syndrome Foundation
