E very child deserves the op- portunity to go to camp. If you have a child who has special needs, it can be really hard to find a camp that provides the necessary accommodations. Here’s how to find camps that provide your kid with the extra support they need. 1 Identify Your Child’s Needs Before you begin your search, consider the physical, emotional, medical, and social support your child needs. The Americans with Dis- abilities Act (ADA) requires that all summer camps provide reasonable modifications (like wheelchair-ac- cessible ramps and other basic ac- commodations) to enable campers with disabilities to participate fully in camp programs. How- ever, some camps are desig- nated for kids with specific needs. Ask your child their
preferences and what they want to get out of summer camp to de- termine what kind of camp might be most comfortable for them. 2 Search Online Resources Use the search tools and listings of camps serving special needs by the American Camp Association (ACA), My Summer Camps, Kids Camps, and local disability orga- nizations
FINDING CAMPS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS By Julianna Steen
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THE 2025 ULTIMATE CAMP GUIDE
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