While camps designed for
specific needs offer very specialized care, some families would prefer to
attend a traditional camp that caters to all children.
Before enrolling your
children in a camp, visit the facility and make sure the layout and
surroundings meet your expectations and needs.
Here are a few things
parents should keep in mind before choosing a traditional or special needs camp
for their child:
• Is the camp is accredited
by an organization such as the American Camp Association?
• Does it meet the
organization's standards for kids with special needs, including facility and
staffing requirements?
• What training and
experience do the directors and counselors have in working with kids with a
need similar to your child's?
• Are there other families
you can contact whose children have attended the camp that might be willing to
discuss their experience with you?
• What is the ratio of
counselors to campers? For children with severe disabilities, the ratio should
be at least one counselor for every three campers.
• What are the camp's health
and safety procedures? What about the facility? Is there a registered nurse in
residence? If not, who will disperse medication, if needed? How close is the
nearest hospital? Have emergency arrangements been made with a local hospital?
• Are they able to accommodate special dietary needs? Who will
assist with feeding, toileting or other activities of daily living?
• Can I visit the camp to
see the program firsthand? Do they have sessions year-round?
• How do they ensure an
inclusive environment when some activities aren’t appropriate for your child?
What alternatives are available?
• What about the camp's
registration fee? (Keep in mind that expense and quality may not go
hand-in-hand, because many specialized camps charge only a fraction of actual
costs. Find out if there are scholarships available.)