Green Mountain Adaptive Sports is an incredible program designed to increase the independence and physical and mental well-being of people living with disabilities. They offer the following programs: skiing and riding, swimming, paddle boarding, indoor rock-climbing, kayaking, and movement. Green Mountain Adaptive Sports mission “is to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities living in or visiting Vermont by sponsoring participation in adaptive sports and recreational programs”. For more information click here.
Open year-round, the 47-acre campus features state-of-the-art raptor enclosures, exhibit spaces, classrooms, and interpretive nature trails. VINS places a priority on bringing high-quality, compelling, and engaging education programs to people at the Nature Center, in the community, and in schools throughout the region.
VINS offers a fully accessible Forest Canapy Walk which is over 100 feet above the forest floor.
Buddy Up Tennis is a full body workout class designed for our Athletes with Down syndrome ages 12 years old and over. Our 8 station circuit training program is designed to combine activities that both increase heart rate and strengthen muscles with particular attention on core conditioning. Buddy Up Tennis will be filled with challenges and fun to help our Athletes reach their fullest potential.
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.
“Just for kids pediatric dentistry is hands down the most wonderful place for kids with autism or other special needs. Steve Rayes is calming, patient and aware of the challenges these kiddos face. I was so pleased that they offered accommodations such as sunglasses for the dental light, a quiet waiting area and exam space without me having to request it. It was such a relief and my little guy loves the dentist now.”
Norwich offers a wonderful Unify Fitness program that occurs throughout the school year. The group will be meeting every Sunday between 2:30 and 4:00. During the meeting time, they will be conducting physical fitness together as well as hosting mentor meetings to set weekly goals for each other to ensure healthy living. This is meant for all abilities and each child is matched with a Norwich cadet. Siblings are also welcome! This program is geared towards 4th grade and older. The program begins September 9, 2018.
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.
Special Olympics Vermont offers year round sports training and competition opportunities in 13 Olympic-type sports for individuals ages 8+. In 2016, the sports seasons were reorganized into four distinct seasons culminating in four statewide competitions: Winter Games, Summer Games, Fall Games, and Holiday Games.
This is a wonderful opportunity for individuals to participate in sports, make friends, and have fun!
We recently went to Stowe and had a wonderful experience. From the lodging, activities, skiing, to the incredible staff; this is definitely a place that accommodates children with special needs.
The skiing at Stowe goes above and beyond to accommodate individuals with special needs. Stowe Adaptive is an incredible program that offers lessons and equipment to make sure that every individual can get out on the mountain. And Stowe also offers a “Buddy Pass”! Here is some great information that Donna Barton (Operation Manager) at Stowe offered:
The idea of the Buddy Pass is that if you are unable to meet the minimum Essential Eligibility Criteria, you qualify for our adaptive lesson program or the Buddy program. Check out the EEC requirements on their website.
In addition, here at Stowe…if you do not meet the minimum requirements of the EECs and you apply for a scholarship through Friends of Stowe Adaptive Sports, you may be granted a scholarship to use toward lessons or access. For more information click here
Stowe Rocks is an indoor rock climbing facility that has both auto-belay courses for kids to climb as well as 8 manual belay sections. The staff that is on site to help is incredible. They are patient, friendly, and great at encouraging kids to climb and take chances!
$26.00 for kids 12 and under to climb for 2 hours.
If your child is not up to climbing they can always take the gondola up to the top of Mt. Mansfield.
Definitely a fun place to visit!
US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer is a 4 week program for kids who have all types of disabilites. During this 1 1/2 hour weekly program, each child is usually paired with a local Vermont high school soccer player. It is a great program that is very well run. It usually begins in the beginning of September.
Central Vermont TOPSoccer will take place on the Woodstock High School soccer field and is supported by Vermont Soccer Association, Woodstock High School and surrounding communities. This 4 week program begins Sunday 9/10/17.
CVMC has a great facility that offers physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology for children. There facility is spacious and has numerous kid friendly equipment so children can enhance their skills in all areas. If you live in central Vermont area this is definitely the place to go!
Excellent physical therapist: Larissa Gillespie PT, DBT