ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SUMMER | 2025 11 for all kids of all abilities. Use these tips to pinpoint a camp that tailors to your child’s needs so they can enjoy the experience without you stressing when they’re there. ships or financial aid. You can also reach out to local charities, civic organizations, and government programs to ask about scholarship opportunities. Camp should be fun and memorable 6 Ask Specific Questions Touring the facilities and speaking with the staff can help you gauge whether or not it would be a good fit for your child. Don’t be afraid to ask about the ratio of staff to campers and what accommoda- tions are available. It can also be an ideal time to ensure the camp is ACA-accredited and follows safety and care standards. “When looking at special needs summer camps, the most important question a parent can ask is: What does success look like for my child and how can we work with the camp to get there?” shares Tom Rosenberg, president and CEO of ACA. “Is the camp willing to work closely with you before camp begins to put a plan togeth- er and support in place to achieve the highest degree of success? It really comes down to doing a lot of work before camp even starts.” Here are a few questions you can ask: • How do you ensure safety? • What accommodations or therapies are offered? • What is the staff’s training or experience? • What will a typical day look like? • How are discipline and behavior modification handled? • If my child needs a special diet, can the camp provide appropriate meals? • What kind of medical and nursing staff is available and during what hours? • Can the staff administer any medications my child needs? 7 Explore Funding Options Ask the camp if they offer scholar-
Association (ACA), My Summer Camps, Kids Camps, and local disability organi- zations or nonprofits supporting children with disabilities to discover camps that are tailored to meet your child’s needs. ACA, for example, breaks down the types of camps, cost, length of stay, state/region, and campers’ ages so you can filter your search. 3 Reach Out to Support Networks Ask parents from your local or online support groups for parents of children with special needs if they have ever sent their kids to camp and what it was like. Hearing someone’s personal experience can be really helpful. Plus, your child’s special education teachers, counselors, or therapists might have recommendations. 4 Consider Location and Type of Camp Within the two categories of inclusionary camps and mainstream camps that have adapted to the needs of kids with mental and physical impair- ments, there are still many different camps to consider. Nonprofit, for-profit, religious, private, day camps, and sleepover camps for the summer are just a few. 5 Contact the Camp (Visit If Possible) While research and word of mouth can be extremely helpful, sometimes you just won’t know the answers to your questions unless you ask. Renee Flax, di- rector of camper placement at ACA of New York and New Jersey, encourages parents to be proactive and go beyond scrolling on the website: “Look at websites, speak with the camp director, and ask to speak with other families whose children have gone there. Camp is a wonderful opportunity for children to make new friends, gain in- dependence, and appreciate the outdoors. Doing your research will help you find the best fit.”
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