The Benefits of Summer Camp for Children with Special Needs

For any parent, thinking of summer camp for your child can bring feelings of excitement and fear. Adding a layer of having a child with special needs may only amplify your emotions. The good news? Although you may not know a lot about summer camp yet, you are truly an expert when it comes to your own child. With some time and research, you’ll be able to navigate the wealth of information out there while also trusting your gut to find a strong match for your child.  All the potential benefits of camp–which include celebrating diversity, learning to respect and value everyone’s uniqueness, and more–apply to kids with special needs as well as neurotypical children. Children with special needs often have fewer opportunities to experience these benefits than their peers, which means camp can have an even larger positive impact.

The United States has a rich history of summer camp. In fact, the American Camp Association sites approximately 7,000 overnight and nearly 5,000 day camps in the U.S. alone. Why so many? If you attended summer camp as a child, you may already know. Summer camp has an impact on the children who attend both in the moment and for years to come. The ACA has even begun to research and define the outcomes of attending summer camp, asking questions such as, “How does summer camp prepare you for life?” Its findings show “camp is a community that celebrates diversity...[and teaches you] to respect and value everyone’s uniqueness.”

Camp is a space for your child to experience risk in a safe and supported environment. For you, as a parent, signing up your child for camp is an opportunity to take a step back as the protector, and to allow your child to rise to the occasion. Whether it’s something perceived as small, such as brushing her teeth on her own for the first time (even with too much toothpaste), dipping his toes in a pool, or something big like sleeping in the woods under the stars, camp has endless new experiences to offer. Milestones and growth of all sizes can happen at the right summer camp. Other benefits include finding a voice to advocate for himself, having new experiences, interacting with people different than herself, development of problem-solving skills, and increased socialization. The reality is, you won’t have the joy of seeing how summer camp can positively impact your child until he goes.

In addition to clear benefits for your child, summer camp has frequently ignored benefits for you, the caregiver. It’s often taboo to talk about, but parenting is hard work. You’re your child’s advocate, friend, educator, short-order chef, and so much more. Parents of children with disabilities have more stress in their life than parents of children without disabilities, according to a study published in the April 2017 Disability and Health Journal. Caregivers of children with disabilities often experience emotional and physical fatigue that others may never know, according to a New York Times article titled “When Caregivers Need Healing.” The respite of camp can create a pause for you and other family members to regroup and rebalance. Research supports this, too. In fact, families who have opportunities for respite, such as summer camp, can expect to see a direct correlation to reduced stress and improved marital relationships, according to a study published in the November 2013 edition of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Taking care of yourself and ensuring self-care is selfish in the best of ways. Despite having many talents and skills, caregivers of people with disabilities are not magical unicorns. Finding the right camp has the unique ability to benefit you, your child, and your entire family.
 

Five Things to Explore with Camp Directors

In exploring options for summer camp, it is important to find a program that can meet the needs of your child. There are several considerations to make in the process, as you know your child best. This search is highly personal. All campers, regardless of whether they have disabilities or not, will need to find a camp that matches their personality, needs, and interests.

Whether a camp has a culture that is rich in tradition or offers progressive technology programming, summer camps have unique identities and are not “one size fits all.” Some camps are inclusive, meaning they support people with and without disabilities while others may support one specific diagnosis each week. It’s important to think about the model and camp culture when you think about your and your child’s goals in attending summer camp.

RELATED: Get more advice and resources for parents of children with special needs.

Now it’s time to start your list! A good place to start is on the ACA’s website. Other options include getting the skinny from other parents and recommendations from educators at your child’s school or asking for resources from social workers or other service providers. You’ll also need to consider what works for your family’s budget and the different financing options that are available. The cost of camp is just as varied as the types of camps out there. Make sure to connect with at least a handful of camps in your search and ask the following questions.