CAMP GUIDE
Kindergarten through 8th grade. The
camp is located at the Henry Kaufman
campgrounds on Staten Island and welcomes
children with high-functioning
cognitive, intellectual or developmental
differences such as Autism Spectrum
Disorder, ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities
and sensory & language delays.
Campers are fully integrated into the
camper program and the camp works to
create an ICP, individual camper plans,
for each child.
Overnight Camps
Camp Akeela
Camp Akeela is a coed overnight
camp in Vermont that supports the
social growth of their campers and
where“quirky campers thrive.” Akeela
serves children grades 3-10. While some
campers have ADD/ADHD, Asperger’s
or an Autism Spectrum Disorder, other
campers don’thave a formal diagnosis.
All campers share that they are looking
to be part of a caring community where
they can meet friends that understand
them. Campers who attend Akeela enjoy
peer interaction but can struggle to make
meaningful social connections. At camp,
children will practice social skills and
gain a feeling of belonging while participating
in an array of camp activities.
Camp Ramapo
Camp Ramapo, located in Rhinebeck,
NY, is a coed overnight camp for children
PHOTO VIA GETTY IMAGES
ages 6-16 with social, emotional or
learning challenges, including children
on the autism spectrum.
The structured program fosters independence,
teamwork, positive social
skills, increased self-esteem and a sense
of community. One of the goals of camp
is for children to leave slightly more independent
from when they arrived.
Campers enjoy traditional camp activities
and also work on everyday skills
such as making their beds, working in
the garden, making a salad and setting
a table.
Summit Camp
Summit Camp is a coed overnight
camp in Pennsylvania for children ages
8-19 with a variety of developmental, social,
emotional and learning issues.
Campers have diagnoses that can include
Asperger’s, ADD/ADHD, verbal
and non-verbal learning disabilities,
HFA, speech and language issues and
sensory integration issues. Some children
may also have gaps in executive
function, Tourette’s syndrome or Bi-Polar
disorder.
All campers have diffi culty in peer
friendships and can lack social skills to
maintain these relationships.
The camp provides opportunities to
develop and maintain social skills with
the goals of building self confi dence and
making lasting friendships, all while participating
in fun summer camp activities.
Including
everyone
Camps for kids with special needs
BY JESS MICHAELS
If you are looking for a place where
your child who has special needs
can feel like they fi t in, make friends,
build confi dence and gain independence,
you may want to consider a special
needs summer program.
For children with special needs,
camp can often be a welcome change
of environments that can be life changing!
Here are just a few of the amazing
special needs summer camp programs.
Day Camps
Endeavor Program @Crestwood
Country Day Camp
Endeavor is a program offered at
Crestwood Country Day Camp, a traditional
day camp locatedon Long Island,
designed for children grades 2- 8 that
fosters social and emotional growth.
Children who attend the program may
have a diagnosis or no diagnosis but
many don’t thrive in the traditional camp
environment and exhibit the need for
support socially. Endeavor will allow
campers to feel connected to others and
feel a sense of belonging in the camp
community.
New Country Day Camp
@ 14th Street Y
New Country Day Camp, one of the
14th Street Y’s summer camps, offers an
inclusion program for children entering
YOUR
SUMMER.
YOUR WAY.
From 92Y’s Upper East Side campus to our beautiful
Rockland County campgrounds and beyond, our
summer experiences provide kids and teens of all ages,
interests, and abilities with unlimited opportunities to
learn, grow — and have fun.
Traditional day camps, summer intensives, mini-camps —
for one week or the whole summer.
Sign up for Summer 2022 today!
92Y.org/camps
Stacey Rosen (she/her), Director, Patron Experience
212-699-7249, SRosen@92Y.org
16 February 24, 2022 Schneps Media
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