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Introduction to Camp Resources

Summer is a time for fun, learning new skills, experiencing nature. Across the United States, camps offer people, both with and without, disabilities, of all ages, an opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors.

This factsheet provides resources such as published camp guides and online camp search engines that will assist interested individuals in searching for the camp that fits their individual interests, needs, and goals. The individual camps listed in this factsheet are only a sample of what is being offered across the country for adults and children with disabilities. These camps range from overnight to day camps and offer various opportunities from sport activities to arts and crafts.

Camp Guides

Discover Camp:A Booklet on Camps for Children with Disabilities

The National Center on Accessibility (NCA), NCPAD's partner, has developed a booklet entitled, "Discover Camp: Considerations for Sending your Child with a Disability to Camp for the First Time." This booklet provides information for parents who are looking for the right camp for their child. The booklet features frequently asked questions (FAQ's) on different types of camps (i.e., specialty, inclusive, day, and residential), facilities, camp staff, camper care, and programming. It includes additional suggestions on what to consider before heading to camp, as well as other resources.

To obtain a copy, contact one of NCPAD's Information Specialists by phone at 800-900-8086 or through email: ncpad@uic.edu. You can also access a website version of the booklet.

Camps: A Directory of Camps and Summer Programs for Children and Youth with Disabilities and Special Needs in the Metro New York Area (English and Spanish)

Resources for Children with Special Needs, Inc. has published the latest edition of a guide for locating summer camps and programs for children and youth with disabilities in New York City and the northeast.

The Resources for Children with Special Needs’ camp guide includes more than two dozen new camps, expanding both the range of special needs camps beyond the New York area and the northeast, and the types of disabilities served. It provides up-to-date information on more than 300 camps and programs that provide a wide range of summer activities for children with emotional, developmental, learning and physical disabilities and special needs.

For more information, call (212) 677-4650 or go to Resources for Children with Special Needs, Inc.

NICHCY's Summer Camps for Children with Disabilities

A guide produced by the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY) to some of the directories and listings of summer camps. Half of these resources identify camps specifically intended for children who have disabilities. The other half are simply directories listing camp opportunities available to all children.

For more information, please access the following link: NICHCY

Online Camp Resources:

American Camping Association

The American Camping Association is a community of camp professionals who, for nearly 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs.

As a leading authority in child development, the ACA works to preserve, promote, and improve the camp experience.

To search for camps, please go to: American Camping Association

Allen's Guide to Special Needs Camps

This website offers a directory of summer camps for kids and teens with disabilities or other health conditions.

To search for camps, please go to: www.allensguide.com/special-needs/

Camp Channel: Bringing Summer Camps to the Internet
This website features an interactive search engine which assists the individual in finding the right camp taking into consideration all the qualities and activities that are preferred. Individuals are also given the option to browse the Camp Channel database according to: U.S. States, U.S. Regions, Canadian Provinces, Camps around the World, Day Camps, Adult Camps, Travel-Adventure Camps, plus Family Camps/Retreats.

For more information:
URL: www.campchannel.com

Kidscamps.com
Kidscamps.com is a Web site specializing in several different camps for children and adolescents with disabilities. Camps for various disabilities include: burn, epilepsy, physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, visual impairments, and others. The camps range from overnight to day camps. Visit www.kidscamps.com for more information.

Therapy/ Respite Camps for Kids:
This website lists camps around the US that focus on therapy for kids with special needs and/or respite for the kids and their families.
http://moore.net/therapy.html

MySummerCamps.com

www.mySummerCamps.com is a comprehensive yet easy to use directory and guide of summer camps, and summer experiences for kids, teens and youth. The complete resource for finding summer camps, summer camp jobs and camps for sale or rent in the United States, Canada and the rest of the World.

SummerCamps.com

www.SummerCamps.com has been a premier summer camp directory and guide since 1995. You can start your summer camp search by selecting a camp type or category.

Alabama - Colorado

The following sections contain individual camp listings from the NCPAD programs database. For a more comprehensive list of camps and other programs in your area please go to www.ncpad.org/programs

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut - Georgia

Connecticut

Delaware

DC

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii - Iowa

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas - Maryland

Kansas

Kentucky

Lousiana

Maine

Maryland

Montana - New Jersey

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

Massachusetts - Missouri

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

New Mexico - Ohio

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma - South Carolina

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota - Vermont

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia - Wyoming

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Note

The information provided here is offered as a service only. The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, University of Illinois at Chicago, the National Center on Accessibility, and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago do not formally recommend or endorse the equipment listed. As with any products or services, consumers should investigate and determine on their own which equipment best fits their needs and budget.

National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
http://www.ncpad.org
ncpad@uic.edu
(800) 900-8086 (voice and TTY)
(312) 355-4058 (facsimile)

Organizations

  1. Adaptive Adventures :
    Evergreen , Colorado
  2. National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) :
    Denver , Colorado
  3. National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHY) :
    Washington , District of Columbia
  4. Amputee Coalition of America :
    Knoxville , Tennessee
  5. Easter Seals :
    Chicago , Illinois


This fact sheet was last updated on 01-14-2009.

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