Finding the Best Camp

What to look for when searching for a camp for your child with special needs.

Liliana was diagnosed with foveal hypoplasia three months after birth. It’s a rare condition often associated with low vision and rapid, uncontrollable eye movements. 

“I worried about what her life would be like and didn’t know how to help her,” said Jesi Sinner, Liliana’s mother. “But at Beyond Blindness, she has made so many improvements that it gives me hope for her future.”

Now 20 months old, Liliana has been receiving one-to-one services at Beyond Blindness in Santa Ana, which is helping her exceed expectations set by her doctors, who warned the family that their child might never walk, crawl or even roll over. Her therapists and teachers at Beyond Blindness have worked with her to develop new skills, from identifying tiny objects on the ground and picking them up to recognizing faces, voices and facial expressions.

Beyond Blindness offers an assortment of programs aimed to help children with visual impairments and other disabilities. The Beyond Blindness summer camp offers a structured opportunity for children with disabilities to develop life skills necessary for their growth and independence.

Though Liliana is still too young for the Beyond Blindness summer camp — the minimum age is 3 — the plan is for her to attend as soon as she can. 

Camps for children with special needs offer many benefits. According to Beyond Blindness, their camp allows children to connect with peers, build social confidence and develop decision-making, problem-solving and self-care skills. It also offers access to new experiences that they might not otherwise have without a camp — including adapted sports, adapted art and inclusive field trips.

There are many things families with special needs have to consider when it comes to camps for their kids. There are key questions they can ask camp directors and specific things to look for in the right camp. 

Benefits of Camp & What to Look For

Jacob Garcia, a teacher of the visually impaired at Beyond Blindness, said that when looking for a camp for children with special needs, parents should consider the quality of the program. 

“It is important to determine whether the staff is well-trained and knowledgeable in working with children with disabilities,” Garcia said. “The activities should be adapted to meet the needs of all campers, ensuring a fully inclusive experience where every child can participate meaningfully.

“If considering a traditional camp, parents should look for one that is open to providing accommodations. Without appropriate accommodations, a child may not have the same access and opportunities as their peers. Parents should consider meeting with the camp director to discuss how the program will be adapted to meet their child’s specific needs.”

Debora L. Smith, founder/executive director of Autism Resource Mom, an Orange County nonprofit that provides support, guidance and hope for autistic individuals and their families, said benefits of camp include socialization, development and the opportunity to try new things in safe and fun surroundings.

“All these things help build self-confidence and push our kids out of their comfort zones — and that’s when true growth happens,” she said. “The specially trained support staff allows all this to happen. And just getting fresh air and exercise can be such a tremendous health boost. And while being separated from our kids can be scary for us parents, it can also be a much-needed time to recharge, regroup and relax.”

Smith said her organization involves a community of parents helping parents on the same life journey, with kids of all ages and abilities. They host regular social events and provide support groups, a speakers bureau and a shoulder to lean on for parents and caregivers. Smith is also the parent of a neurodivergent son, who is now 28 years old. 

Elizabeth Rose Chacon, director/owner of A Dance Class For Me! in Irvine, offers dance classes for neurotypical students, students who are on the autism spectrum and students who have special needs.  

“All children need a chance to learn about the world and camp can be a great way to accomplish this. Self-confidence is wonderful benefit of attending camp. Being with other children is important to improve communication and practice working with others,” she said. “There are some activities, like mine, that can cater to children who are not yet ready for the intensity of a camp because they lack the experience of being with others in an activity. For example, starting with something small like a group dance class for special needs with an instructor who has the patience to teach to each child can be a good first step. Most of my students are on the autism spectrum, so they might not seem to be social but they love being with others. They socialize in their own way and over time they learn to copy the instructor and dance together.”

Meghan Clem and Katie Webb Brundige are co-founders of RAD Camp in Orange County, which serves adults, teens and children to encourage independence, growth, fun and friendship. They serve all genders, ethnicities and developmental disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and more.

“We take great pride in creating an environment where our campers feel like rockstars, accepted, included and empowered to shout their worth,” Clem said. “We believe every activity can be adapted to ensure full participation, making our programs accessible to all. At RAD Camp, our campers can engage in exciting activities and freely express themselves in a joyful and supportive space. However, camp isn’t just a life-changing experience for our campers, it’s just as impactful for our counselors. With a one-to-one camper-to-counselor ratio, our counselors learn the power of putting others’ needs before their own, fostering a deep understanding that we are more alike than different.”

Webb Brundige said there are several categories parents should consider in a camp designed for kids with special needs, including program type, camper-to-counselor ratio, specialized staff and training, medical support, dietary accommodations, cost and financial assistance, and age limit.

“Consider whether the camp offers day/night programs or is an overnight format,” Webb Brundige said. “At RAD, we implement one-to-one camper-to-counselor ratio, ensuring individualized attention and proper support, enhancing the camper’s experience. The ratio at other camps may vary based on volunteer availability, as well as your camper’s level of independence and specific needs. It’s always a good idea to check with the camp to ensure they can provide the appropriate level of support for your camper.”

She said to find out if the camp provides onsite medical care, including access to nurses, doctors or emergency services. 

“RAD offers 24-hour onsite medical care available to all participants,” she said. “This allows us to welcome individuals of all abilities and never turn a camper away because of their disability.” 

Webb Brundige said when choosing a special needs camp, it’s important to consider the age limits and whether the program eventually ages participants out. 

“Some camps have specific age brackets and may not accommodate campers beyond a certain age, requiring families to seek new programs as their child grows,” she said. “At RAD Camp, we believe in lifelong inclusion. Once a camper joins our program, they are part of our community forever.”

Brenna King, CCC-SLP, owns Advanced Pragmatics Speech Pathology, which offers speech therapy and social skills training for adolescents and adults in Orange County and Long Beach. They also offer Social Summer Camp for kids, pre-teens and teens.

“The benefit of a camp for a child with special needs is that the program should [be] geared to support the campers’ unique needs,” King said. “The facility, staff and activities should be appropriate and beneficial for the camper. We also know that neurodivergent kids tend to befriend other kids who are neurodivergent. They might feel more confident and comfortable being around other campers with their ability level. The reason I created my Social Summer Camps is because I feel every child should have an opportunity to attend a summer camp, and there were very few camps for kids with autism. Every aspect of my camp, from the activities, games and lessons, is thoughtfully designed for campers with social challenges.” 

Scottie Roach, of Camp James Summer Day Camp in Newport Beach, said they have an inclusion page on their website that offers information so parents can decide if Camp James is the right fit for their special needs child. She said communication and research are key in finding the right camp for any child.

“Talk directly to the camp director when at all possible.  Let them know the specifics about your child’s support needs,” Roach said. “Most directors will want your child to have a positive summer experience. I always let folks know if our camp might be a good fit or suggest other locations that may serve their family better. When parents have not reached out to a director and just sign up, it can be successful and it can also be terribly disappointing for parents, children and the camp itself. We all want children to thrive.” 

She also recommends talking to other parents.

“I would suggest that parents meet up with a parent group that may be helpful when making decisions,” she said. “Other parents may be the best resource.”

Andrea Rodriguez, program coordinator for the Inclusion Program at the YMCA of Orange County, said there are several things to look for if parents are interested in traditional camps that can cater to special needs/disabilities. 

“First, parents should make sure there is an open line of communication with the camp staff for regular check-ins and updates, this also provides ample opportunity for collaboration,” Rodriguez said. “Another key aspect to look for in a traditional camp is physical accessibility. It is crucial for a parent to set aside time to tour the area with camp staff to assess distances, terrain and more to ensure that the physical area is accessible to the child and their specific accommodations. Camp staff should work to provide honest answers and possible solutions.

“Traditional camps that cater to special needs/disabilities should also provide parents with an itinerary and descriptions of the various activities. By seeing clear breakdowns of planned activities in advance, families can prepare effectively and discuss with their child the type of experience they hope to have at camp. Finally, it is helpful to identify whether camp staff have previous experience with children with special needs or disabilities, as having an advocate onsite can provide valuable support and a certain comfort to parents.”

What to Ask Camp Directors

Smith said there are several different areas to focus on in terms of camp questions, including staff-to-camper ratio, staff experience and training, behavior management, communication, medication administration and medical needs, emergency procedures, accessibility and accommodations, dietary needs, camp environment and activities.

• What is the ratio of staff to campers, and how does this support individual needs? 
• What kind of experience do counselors have, and what specific training have they received in working with children with disabilities? 
• How does the camp handle behavior issues, and what are the disciplinary procedures? 
• How will the camp communicate with parents about their child’s progress and any concerns? 
• What are the emergency procedures, and have there been any serious accidents at the camp? 
• Is the camp and its facilities accessible for all campers, including those with mobility issues? 
• What types of accommodations can the camp provide, and are they able to meet your child’s specific needs or limitations (physical/cognitive)? 
• What activities are offered, and are they accessible for all campers? 
• Can the camp accommodate any dietary restrictions or allergies? 
• Is there a nurse or someone else on staff to administer medication, and how is this done confidentially?
• Where are campers’ medications stored, and who administers them?
• What are the qualifications of the medical staff, and how many medical staff work at camp?
• Is the camp solely for children with disabilities, or are campers a mix of typical peers and children with disabilities?
• What is the camp schedule like, and how does it accommodate different needs?
• What opportunities are there for campers to develop social skills?
• What recreational activities are offered, and are they accessible for all campers?
• What skills are addressed during camp, such as academics, speech and language, or social skills?

By: Jessica Peralta