These are camps that are specifically designed for children with special needs.
An incredible 2 week camp that is run through the Stern Center for children that want to enhance their social skills. The camp helps children navigate their way in social situations through direct teaching, coaching, and practice to learn the fundamental building blocks of social success.
Camp Daybreak provides a one week residential summer camp for children who have social, behavioral, and emotional needs. It is a highly supportive camp that includes one on one supervision. It is primarily meant for children who would not be able to attend an average summer camp due to their emotional or behavioral needs. Anyone can refer a child to attend.
Camp Kaleidoscope is a summer camp for families who have a child on the autism spectrum. It is for the WHOLE family to enjoy. We have been going for the past four years but unfortunately our child has aged out. I can’t tell you how freeing it is to spend four days in the mountains (Starksboro, VT) with other families who get it. You never have to apologize for your child, you never have the feeling of embarrassment and you get to witness your child making connections. Every family is paired with a “Family Partner”, generally college students from the Boston area. In the mornings, all kids go to “Kidville” where they can choose from a myriad of choices. Adults can go off by themselves and hike, sleep, read, connect with other adults doing a craft or attend a workshop. After lunch, there is time for rest or a quiet movie in the clubhouse. Then there are activities for the whole family such a huge water slide or swimming at the pond. After dinner, there might be a talent show or a dance party or a bonfire. All meals are provided and are absolutely delicious (local, fresh & vegetarian but things such as hot dogs and chicken nuggets are available). We have chosen to stay in a cabin for all four years (we requested the same one every year and loved it!) but there are other more comfy accommodations if you choose.
Camp Rainbow is a summer day camp run by NCSS for children with ASD or DD. The idea of the camp is to provide “a typical summer camp experience – fun activities, outdoor play, swimming, crafts, singing, friendships. Such an experience is not always available to children with these diagnoses due to cognitive, physical, and behavioral challenges.
The camp runs from 8:30-2:30 for several weeks. For more information click here: Camp Rainbow
Camp Ta-Kum-Ta serves children ages 7-17 who have or have had cancer and live in or are treated in the State of Vermont. This incredible program offers children and their families wonderful opportunities year round. In the summer they offer a week long camp with traditional camp activities such as swimming, athletics, ropes course, and arts & crafts. They also offer once-in-a-lifetime opportunities such as rock climbing expeditions, hot-air balloon rides, formal dances, and lake cruises.
Camp Thorpe is an overnight summer camp in Goshen Vermont which is dedicated to providing a fun and safe camping experience to children and adults with special needs.
Camp Thorpe is a summer camp for children and adults with moderate special needs. They offer experiences for individuals with developmental, intellectual and physical disabilities. Our campers range in age from 12 through older adults.
Their typical camper thrives in a 3-camper-to-one-counselor ratio for a 6 or a 12-day session of camp. Campers should be able to thrive in a rustic camp environment, traverse uneven and hilly grounds (with assistance), and able to participate in adapted summer camp activities.
Partners In Adventure day camp groups young people, ages 7 through adults, who have disabilities, with their non-disabled peers for a summer camp experience. There are 9 weeks of Summer Camp (four, 2-week and a one-week).
Activities are adaptive and designed by special educators and physical therapists for the success of all abilities and include: horseback riding, swimming, boating, zip line, archery, African drumming and dance, cooking, arts & crafts, science and nature, games, dance, life skills, music, beach parties and more. Each 2-week session will include field trips to a variety of locations.
There is a one-week Winter Camp during February break as well as other activities throughout the year.
The Green Mountain Lions Camp offers a unique camp experience for Deaf & Hard of Hearing teens and youth. Children with Deaf parents and/or siblings are also welcome! This camp has brought together Deaf and Hard of Hearing kids and teens from all over New England and beyond for over 30 years! The beautiful new location is in Cabot, VT. The new campus has hiking trails, fields to play on, an barn for indoor activities, craft cabin and waterfront swimming and boating! Memories are made and forever friendships are formed all in an environment of total communication access. The primary language used at camp is American Sign Language (ASL) and we guide and encourage new signers to practice and use ASL to foster an environment of access and inclusion.