Summer Camp Opportunities for Children and Teens with Special Needs

Summer is finally here so now is the perfect time to finalize family vacations and fun camps for the kids. Like most special needs parents already know, finding accessible and inclusive summer camps can be challenging. Lucky for you, we have the Friendship Circle Adventure Camp scheduled for August 23rd-26th from 9:30-12:30 pm. However, to keep your kids busy until then, here are some other inclusive summer camps to check out in the greater Seattle area. 

#1. Aspiring Youth (ages 8-18)

https://aspiringyouth.net/summer-camps/ 

Aspiring Youth welcomes all campers who would benefit from small-group settings and social skills support, including those with a diagnosis of autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, learning disabilities or other similar traits. Pick from age-based traditional day camps or theme-based camps with choices that include video production, habitat restoration and art. With incredible enrichment activities as a foundation, Aspiring Youth’s master’s level counselors help campers build confidence and connect to new friends. Day camps take place in Redmond, Seattle and Bellevue, with before- and after-care options; sessions are also offered in South Seattle and West Seattle during select weeks

#2. Adventure Camp: Social Skills Learning Through Science Explorations (ages 5-14)

https://zoezowie.wixsite.com/socialadventurecamp/join-our-2018-summer-camp 

Adventure camps specialize in utilizing social skills learning through science exploration. Their programming and activities are designed to help youth reach their goals and fulfill their highest potential. They provide science field trips to a variety of locations such as the UW campus, Magnuson Park and the Museum of Flight to access the best science experiences Seattle has to offer. Camp dates for Summer 2022 are as follows: July 6th-8th (Wednesday-Friday), July 11th-14th (Monday-Thursday), and July 18th-21st (Monday-Thursday). 

#3. Camp Korey (ages 7-17)

https://www.campkorey.org/attend-camp/summer-camp/ 

Camp Korey is designed for the whole family. Due to COVID, the summer camp is family-pod style where campers will need to have at least one adult accompany them throughout the whole program.This year, programming is condition-specific where campers and their families can experience the joy of camp in a safe, intentional, and fun environment. Email [email protected] for more information.   

#4. Camp Lots of Fun (ages 6-21)

https://www.piercecountywa.gov/1462/Camp-Lots-of-Fun 

For anyone willing to drive down to Puyallup, Camp Lots of Fun is a great place to check out. The camp is designed to promote sharing, cooperation, friendship, sportsmanship, and of course fun. Campers will get to join in cooperative play, arts and crafts, sports, fun theme days all while socializing and making new friends. The camp runs for 4 weeks Tuesday-Friday from 9:00-2:00 pm at the Meridian Habitat Park. 

#5. Stanley Stamm Summer Camp (ages 6-14)

https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/stanley-stamm-summer-camp/?fbclid=IwAR1bjJcqe_sckiIaAtoJUBqnfZcGnIAgkfshBCp4_wIk-nJOMYZ8WyYcFqc 

Founded by Seattle Children’s heart specialist Dr. Stanley Stamm, the Stanley Stamm Summer camp gives roughly 100 children with chronic medical conditions the chance to go fishing, ride horses, and take part in other summer activities at a week-long sleepover camp near Mt. Rainier. The camp includes a team of both medical and non-medical volunteers and a fully equipped infirmary so that children with unique and complex medical needs can be a part of summer camp. The camp runs August 15-19 and this year’s theme is Coco.