Trees Network | Summer Camps
Follow the links below for additional information on the various camps geared specifically for kids, adolescents, teens and adults with various disabilities. Very Special Camps maintains a list of camps for children with disabilities in PA.
Most of these summer camps can be attended as Extended School Year (ESY). Contact the camp directly to work with them to determine ESY eligibility, if a waiver can be filed, and any financial aid or scholarships that can be applied to offset costs. These camps want what is best for the individuals they serve so before you refrain from applying because of the tuition, contact them to see all financial options available.
- ACEing Autism
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ACEing Autism aims to be the preeminent leader on how tennis and sport develops children with autism spectrum disorder and helping them become aware of ACEing Autism, while impacting an increasing percentage of those reached with ACEing’s unique programming. (Pittsburgh, Drexel Hill, and Radnor, PA). Students are paired 1:1 with a volunteer. The summer session may be 8-10 weeks at Shadyside Academy, Saturday mornings with time of session dependent on age of the child. You can try out tennis at one of their sessions. Program is for children 4 years to 21 years of age. Siblings are also welcome. Scholarships are available.
- Bournelyf
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Three different summer day-camp programs are offered to individuals with special needs, ages 8 and up. The Trailblazers program is offered to campers ages 8-17 years of age. The Expedition program is for ages 18- 25. The Alumni program is for ages 26 and up. They are proud to be able to say that no camper will ever "age out" of Bournelyf. All programs are geared toward individuals classified in the mild to moderate range of the intellectual and developmental disabilities. (West Chester, PA)
- Camp AIM
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Since 1968, Camp AIM has provided nearly 4,000 children and young adults who have physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and communication challenges with opportunities to Achieve, support to become Independent, and encouragement to become Motivated (AIM). This unique five-week summer day camp program combines life skills, social and recreational activities with aquatics, STEM, physical education, home economics, music, and art. Ratio of students to counselor averages 3:1 (Carnegie, PA). They are a certified ESY provider. This camp is affiliated with the YMCA. You may also check out their Facebook page.
- Camp GROWS
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Camp GROWS (Gaining Real Opportunities for Work Skills) has partnered with the Sewickley Creek Greenhouse to provide students with opportunities to pratice real life job tasks. The camp is designed for students ages 16-21. If interested, please contact Leslie Corey ldacorey@outlook.com for additional information.
- Camp Kon-O-Kwee
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YMCA Camp Kon-O-Kwee provides an unforgettable camp experience to children, families, and members of the community for more than 90 years. The camp programs engage families, encourage adults, and inspire kids to learn, grow, and thrive. (Fombell,PA).
- Camp Laugh-A-Lot
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Camp Laugh-A-Lot is an integrated day camp that specializes in serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They provide a 3:1 ratio of counselor to student. The camp experience includes seven weeks of summer day camp (M-F) and a brief camp between Christmas and New Years. Sessions are only $50/camper and they work with school districts to provide ESY services (Washington and Wildwood, PA). There are many outings planned. They provide lunch and snacks every day. Registration begins April 17th.
- Camp Lee Mar
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Camp Lee Mar is a private, 6 1/2-week residential special needs summer camp for campers ages 7-21. They offer unique summer programs for kids with special needs with a full curriculum incorporating a strong Academic and Speech program with traditional camp activities. They follow the child's IEP, a play and learn atmosphere. Kids from all over the US attend. They are ESY approved. Looks like students attend all 7 weeks (beginning June 24th). (outside Scranton, PA) Check out their YouTube Channel.
- Camp Lily Summer Day Camps
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The camps promise to engage, entertain and educate. For campers ages 8-21 with disabilities, Camp Lily offers inclusive activities that build skills, promote friendships and increase independence. (Allentown, PA)
- Camp PALS
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PALS mission is to create inclusive camp experiences for people with and without Down syndrome. Their volunteer-led programs change attitudes, transform lives, and inspire a world of belonging.
- Camp PARC
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Camp PARC provides a residential summer camp program and year-round recreational and social activities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their neurotypical peers. These opportunities encourage fun, social interaction, and friendship among its participants, all while creating valuable respite for parents and caregivers. (Laurel Hill State Park, Somerset, PA). There are 3 sessions (adult mini camp for those 18 and older; youth mini campers 6-17; adult full week ages 18 and older). Registration fee and costs are supplemented by fundraising etc.
- Camp Pennwood
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Camp Pennwood is a one-of-a-kind program whose goals and objectives include: provide age-appropriate programs for children and teens, emphasizing personal, socialization, and recreational skills that can be carried over into daily lives; provide maximum physical and mental stimulation during the summer months, thereby minimizing regression in skills; provide family members with a valuable respite service, as well as a developmental experience for individuals with disabilities; provide campers with disabilities contact with non-disabled volunteer peers, as well as providing staff and volunteers with in-service training, and; to offer a variety of camp components each session, including indoor and outdoor recreation, self-care instruction, arts and crafts, and music. (York, PA). There are 2 camps one for adults, ages 18 and up (Camp Pennwood, 5 days, which has lots of day trips); one for kids ages 6 to 18 from 9-3 M-F. Campers can come for 1 week or for all 5 weeks and everything in between. Lunch and snacks are provided. All of the staff are CPR certified. They have a sensory room and accessible playground. Funds may be available through MHID.
- Camp Sequoia
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This camp wants its campers to be able to engage with same-age peers and develop their social thinking skills in order to learn how to make and retain friends and become social successful. (Allentown, PA)
- Camp Speers
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Camp Speers YMCA is an overnight camp with a safe, child-centered community. It helps campers discover who they are and what they can become. As campers swim, climb, play sports, be creative, learn social skills, and just have fun they develop confidence and independence. There are also programs available for siblings. They have a 1:3 counselor to camper ratio and camps are broken down by age groups. There are two 1 week session camps. Financial assistance may be available.
- Dragonfly Forest Summer Camp
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The Dragonfly Forest specialty camp is a traditional overnight program for kids with Autism, 22Q, Asthma, Sickle Cell Disease, and Hemophilia. It aims to make camp a reality for as many families as possible. By partnering with parents and experts in the medical field, they can provide accommodations for our campers that allow them to be successful at camp. Dragonfly Forest aims to provide a culture of inclusion while fostering confidence and independence in each of our campers. (Dingman's Ferry in Delaware Township, PA)
- Glade Run Lutheran Servcies
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Glade Run Lutheran Services offers camps during the summer which are waiver funded and may be ESY eligible. The samp is geared for students with disabilities, age 8-18 years. There are fun activities in their greenhouse, horse barn, and woodland areas.
- Summit Camp
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Summit Camp is an American Camp Association accredited residential camp that has been serving children and teens with learning and social challenges and their families since 1968. Summit is a premiere program that meets the unique social and emotional needs of young people who have difficulty with sustaining friendships. They offer 9 week camp or 1 week mini-camp for children 8 to young adults 25 years of age. They have a teen tour program as well. First session starts June 21st. They have both sports and theatre programs and lots of social learning programs. (Honesdale, PA)
- Woodlands
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The Woodlands specializes in working with students with chronic illnesses and physical disabilities. They offer day and weekend camps near Pittsburgh for children age 6 years to adults age 72. There are 11 weeks of summer camp are sleep over camps except the Woodlands Jr Day Camps. They offer a Notes from the Heart Camp which focuses on music and theatre. There is a Bloom program that runs throughout the year - this is a transitional program every other Saturday. There is a 3:1 camper to counselor ratio. You are all welcome to attend their grand opening of the amphitheater on May 20th at 11 am (Warrendale, PA)
Contact Us
For more information contact Vicki Donne, RMU Trees Network Director, at 412-397-5465 or donne@rmu.edu, or Deanna Hiltz, Trees Network Outreach Specialist, at 412-397-6407 or hiltzd@rmu.edu.