Find the right summer
camp
For a child with
disabilities
Children
with disabilities are children first. And one of the rites of childhood is
summer camp. Greater
Many summer camps are physically accessible to
children in wheelchairs. But there is more to accessibility than fitting
through the front gate and rolling on a paved trail.
Here
are some tips on finding the right fit for your child.
Create
a list of things your child might need extra help doing:
Walking
on uneven ground
Using
the bathroom
Manipulating
craft materials
Understanding directions
Staying with a group
Have
a frank discussion with your prospective camp director before enrolling your
child.
Does
your child need medications or nursing care such as tube feedings?
Does
your child have seizures?
Does
your child have emotional outbursts?
Be
honest and demand honest answers. Can the camp meet your child’s needs?
If
possible, visit the camp location before camp starts to understand the terrain
and allow your child to test run the camp site.
Some
camps may allow a sibling or friend to attend with your child as a camp buddy.
Make
sure the camp staff has a way to reach you if they have a question or concern
during the day.
Ask
about basic procedures and practices. Do you put sunscreen on your child or
will the staff do that? Should you pack a change of clothes? If you pack a
lunch, will someone help your child or does your child have to be able to
unpack and eat independently?
Let
your child be a child. Summer camp can include skinned knees and dirty sneakers.
The best recommendation at the end of the day is the smile on your child’s
face.
Stepping Stones Center offers nine-week day camp programs for children with
mild to severe disabilities and children who are medically fragile at the
23-acre Indian Hill site and the 47-acre
Web site www.steppingstonescenter.org
Local Recreation Departments may offer day camp programs to children with
disabilities.
Redwood in
Easter Seals Camp KYSOC in
April 2008