Page Title

Finding a Camp for Your Child With Special Needs

Ah, summer camp. The mosquitoes, the swim races, the
friendships, the bug juice, the postcards home. What child wouldn't
benefit from the fun and structured freedom camps provide?

Kids with special needs are no exception. But the prospect can
seem daunting to parents and kids alike — how can you be sure
that your child will get the attention he or she needs? Will your child
be able to participate fully? What about the other kids? Will your
child make friends? Will they understand your child's special
needs?

The good news is that there are more camp choices now than at
any other time for kids with special needs. From highly specialized
camps to regular camps that accommodate kids with special
needs, there are options for every child. With careful consideration
of what will benefit your child most, along with thorough research,
you should be able to find the right camp for your child.

What Are the Different Types of Camps?
When it comes to camps, kids with special needs have as many
choices as other children. The Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) requires all camps to make reasonable accommodations
(such as the installation of wheelchair-accessible ramps) so that
kids with special needs can attend. So, camps that had never had
a child with special needs attend before may now be on your list of
possibilities.

Inclusionary (or mainstream) camps do just what their name
implies: They include kids with special needs in their groups of
children with regular needs. These camps may have started out
serving only a general population of kids, but they've gradually
changed as the needs of the families they serve have changed.

There are also camps designed just for kids with special needs,
including kids who have learning or behavioral problems, kids with
specific chronic illnesses, and kids with mental or physical
impairments. Many of these camps accept kids with a variety of
needs, but some camps only accept kids with specific problems
(such as camps for kids with diabetes, cancer, speech or hearing
impairment, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, etc.).

Within all of these categories, you'll have even more choices to
consider in terms of duration, philosophy, and cost. There are
nonprofit and for-profit camps, religious camps, camps run by
national organizations, private camps, day camps, camps that run
weekend sessions, and sleepover camps that accept kids for the
entire summer.

What Are the Benefits of Camp?
The benefits of camp for kids with special needs are often the
same as they would be for any child:

increased confidence and independence activity and exercise
the opportunity to interact with other kids, develop friendships, and
build relationships positive role modeling by adults a chance for
parents to have a likely much-needed break Independence is
another benefit that camp can provide. For example,
an overnight mainstream camp can give a special-needs child the
chance to be without parents, doctors, or physical therapists for a
week. This allows children to do more things for themselves and
learn how to ask friends to help.

Learning that their peers or other adults can help them is also
valuable for kids with special needs. Children can learn to be
assertive in problem-solving and communicating needs.

In addition, camp provides the physical benefits of increased
activity as well. Many kids with disabilities or chronic illnesses
are sedentary and don't often participate in the sports or
recreational activities that their peers do. They therefore miss out
on the social and health benefits that exercise brings. Camp
provides a variety of activities such as swimming, wheelchair
racing, dancing, tennis, or golf. These give immediate health
benefits in terms of improved cardiovascular fitness and also
provide recreational options that can carry over into adult life.

In addition, many camps combine learning environments with these
physical activities, giving kids with behavioral or learning problems
the chance to develop, or catch up on, needed skills during the
summer.

Starting Your Camp Search
A good way to begin looking for a camp is to make several lists
that establish the basics you're looking for: a list of goals, a list of
caretaking priorities, and a list of other considerations (such as
cost).

You'll also need to figure out which type of camp might best suit
your child:

inclusionary (or mainstream) camps
camps for kids with a specific special need
camps for kids with many different kinds of special needs
When trying to find the right camp, consider whether your child has
ever been away from home, for the weekend or even longer, and
what experiences might have helped prepare him or her for camp.
This will help you to decide not only the type of camp, but whether
your child is ready for a day camp or a sleepover (residential)
camp.

Involving kids in the camp search will help to ensure that they get
the most out of the camp selected. So, ask kids the following:

What do you want to get out of summer camp?
What are your preferences?
Do you want to go to a coed camp, or just be around kids of the
same gender?
Are there any activities you really want to try?
Would you be more comfortable going to a camp with kids who do
or don't have special needs?
Are you comfortable being away from home? If so, for how long?
Do you have classmates or friends who have gone to a summer
camp? If so, which ones? And did they like it?
If it turns out that the idea of camp is a bit overwhelming for both
you and your child, you might want to try starting small, like
weekend sessions at a special-needs camp.

Doing Your Research
Whatever type of camp you're leaning toward, it's important to do
your research. And there are plenty of places to get information on
camps these days. The American Camp Association (ACA), for
example, has an online listing of special-needs camps that's
broken down by the types of camps, cost, length of stay,
state/region, and campers' ages. The site is also loaded with
general as well as age-appropriate advice for parents of would-be
campers.

You can also call local chapters of major disability organizations to
find out what camps are available in your area. Many organizations
publish lists of camps and can connect you with camp directors
and former campers.

In addition, you might be able to find a special-needs camp fair in
your area. Check the calendar listings in your local newspapers
and monthly parenting magazines. Many of these are held in
January or February, which means that you need to start your
camp search early.

Of course, part of your research will involve figuring out what you
can afford. The cost of camps varies widely, with some high-end
special-needs camps costing thousands of dollars for multiple-
week sessions.

Although you can help fund your child's camp experience by
applying for scholarships, experts say you should make sure to do
so from December through March, because the money is gone by
April or May. You can contact charitable organizations and
fraternal organizations (such as the Lions, Kiwanis, and Rotary
Clubs, all of which sponsor special-needs camps). And depending
on your child's specific special need, he or she may be eligible for
financial aid from your state. Other sources of scholarships include
religious or ethnic charities.

One thing to bear in mind, though: You usually first need to find a
camp that's willing to take your child — most of these organizations
send the scholarship money to the camp in the child's name, not to
the parents directly.

Questions to Ask
So, how do you narrow down your choices and pick the camp that's
right for your child? Some basic and special-needs- specific
questions you'll need to have answered include:

How long are the sessions?
What's the cost? Are scholarships available?
Is it coed, girls-only, or boys-only?
What's the age range of campers?
Where is it located — and how far away from your home is it?
What's the staff-to-camper ratio?
How old are most of the counselors?
What type of certification do the counselors have?
What's the turnover rate? Do kids and staff come back?
What's the camp's philosophy? Does it fit with your goals for your
child?
What's the camp's transportation system like?
If physical accessibility is an issue, what's the layout of the camp?
What provisions has the camp made (or can it make) for
wheelchairs or crutches?
If your child needs a special diet, can the camp provide
appropriate meals? If not, can you provide food for your child?
Do staff members have a background working with kids with
special needs?
Do the counselors have first-aid training?
What kind of medical staff is available in the infirmary and during
what hours? Can the staff administer any medications your child
needs?
If your child has behavior problems, what's the training and
experience of the available staff to help? And how does the camp
staff handle behavioral problems?
What's the procedure if your child develops a complication related
to his or her medical problems? How far is the nearest hospital? If
your child needs specialized treatment, is it available at that
hospital?
Although you can get some of this information through phone calls,
emails, brochures, and websites, experts recommend visiting the
camp.
You can talk to the director, visit the site, and get a comprehensive
picture of where your child will be.

Probably the only way to get a true feel for the camp is for you and
your child to visit it together. This is especially important if your
child is going to a regular (inclusionary or mainstream) camp
where
they haven't dealt with many children with special needs, because it
gives you the opportunity to point out changes they might need to
make and to gauge the reaction of the camp's staff to your
requests.

If you can't visit a camp, interview the director and some staff
members to get a feel for the place. Ask them to describe the
physical layout and the kinds of activities your child will do. You
should also ask to speak with other families whose children have
attended the camp to see what their experiences were like. In fact,
word of mouth is one of the most effective ways to find out what you
need to know about each camp.

As you're trying to figure out which camp is best, just remember
that whatever the special need, there's likely a camp out there to
suit your child. With some research and understanding between
you, your child, and the camp director, your camper-to-be will likely
be well on the way to having an unforgettable summer.

Reviewed by: Steven J. Bachrach, MD
Date reviewed: October 2007

www.kidshealth.org

Recommendations From Parents:

"Childrens National Medical Center is sponsoring this pilot one-
week sleep-away camp for kids with ASD. An informational
meeting was held last night, but if you have any questions, Sandy
Weinstein at CNMC. Spaces are limited because it is a pilot
program. My son, attended the Tourettes camp sponsored by
CNMC last year, and it was a terriffic experience. The camp will
be well staffed by CNMC psychologists, social workers, nurses,
and counselors."

We invite you to come to our newest summer camp program,
Camp Connect ASD, a sleep-away camp sponsored by the
Children's National Medical Center. This year, we will offer six
days and five nights of summer camp fun for children with social
learning disorders, including Asperger Syndrome, High
Functioning Autism and PDD-NOS. Our mission is to provide
each camper the support needed to ensure a fun, safe, and
supportive environment, with a 2 to 1 ratio of campers to staff.

As you may know, Children's National Medical Center has
fourteen years experience successfully running camps for children
with Tourettes, Epilepsy, Neurofibromatosis, and Sickle Cell
Anemia. In response to the growing demand to include children
with social learning disabilities into our existing summer camp
program, we will be piloting a session for bright, highly verbal kids
who despite their many gifts and desire to be part of a group,
need support to successfully navigate the social world. During this
first year, Camp Connect- ASD will be accepting up to fifteen
children ages 8 - 15, for a week of summer fun and social
connections under the supervision of Children's National Medical
Center Staff and counselors.

The cost of our camp is $750. If you have any questions, please
contact me at the number below. Space is limited for this first year,
so please indicate your intention to attend the meeting and/or to
apply to the camp as soon as possible. Applications are due no
later than May 28, 2008. We hope your child will be able to join us
in what promises to be a rewarding and memorable sleep-away
summer camp experience for our new campers.

Sincerely,

Sandra Cushner Weinstein PT, LCSW-C

Director, Camp Connect-ASD

Children's National Medical Center, Department of Neurology,
111 Michigan Ave., NW, Washington DC 2000, (202) 476-5142,
scushwei@cnmc.org

StartingBlock Fitness

Programs

Starting Block Fitness is an innovative approach to fitness. Many
gym programs or classes do not meet pre-teens and teens where
they are in terms of exercise readiness, the process of learning a
form of exercise, performing it successfully and building on that
experience. Typical programs begin intensively so that injury,
burnout or learned helplessness occur. Many are repetitive so that
boredom occurs. These result in the young client quitting exercise
completely. We take a long term approach to fitness and
specialize in meeting young exercisers exactly where they are in
terms of exercise readiness.

2009 Arlington County Fitness Summer Camp

TWEEN /TEEN Fitness Camp

StartingBlock Fitness welcomes campers of all levels of
experience and fitness for this program. In this camp exercise will
be fun and social! Activities will include Amazing Race and
Survivor challenges and will incorporate favorite music, video
games, book characters, and movies into cardio activities.
Campers will work in small groups and also get individualized one-
on-one attention. The goals are to learn a variety of methods to
stay fit, incorporate “fit” into your self-concept and increase your
metabolism. Campers will build muscular strength and
cardiovascular endurance through weight training, “bootcamp”
style strength training, cardio plyometrics, cardio endurance,
Yoga, and electronic/video game fitness programs. Staff is
personal trainers, physical therapists, teachers and high school
cross-country/track coaches..

Staff to participant ratio: 1:10
Ages 11-16
Location: Gunston Community Center
Dates: Sessions 9 & 10 (8/17-8/21 and 8/24-8/28)
Time: 2-6 PM
Fees: $175 per session per student

Yoga Camp (Ages 5-12)

Location:
Sun & Moon Yoga Studio,
3811 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA, 703-525-YOGA (9642),
www.sunandmoonstudio.com

Take Two: “Our son has attended the two below camps and really
enjoyed them. The staff at Take Two was beyond exceptional and
you receive a very detailed report on your child at the end of camp
that helps parents understand what types of support strategies
worked for their child [and what did not]. Very valuable report that
we refer to often and share with others who work with our son.
More information on this camp can be found at:
www.take2camp.org. Spaces are severely limited. Ages 8-10.”

Keller Camp :
www.inova.org/community/inova_kellar_center/summer.jsp
“Our son also attended this camp and really enjoyed it. Its less
'theraputic' than Take2 but a good option for kids on the spectrum.”
703-218-8500

NVJCC Social Skills (Camp Shalom): www.jccnv.org

Potomac School in Great Falls: “The part of camp that worked
great was the small class size and student-teacher ratio. There
was an adult teacher (their counselors are full time teachers during
the school year at different schools) and a teen-age assistant
counselors. There were typically 10 - 15 kids in a class. The part
that did not work so well was the transitions. The kids have 1 hour
classes and then change ( a little like a college camps).”

Drama : “drama is very good for emotional-social development. “
Offered by many camps, including Encore at the Children’s
Theater and also the Potomac School.

Project Boost

Project Boost is being presented through the Success Institute
of Strosnider, LLC directed by Dr. Roberta Strosnider, Emeritus
Faculty Hood College and Towson University and Educational
Consultant. For more information, please contact her at 301-514-
4672 or rstrosnider@comcast.net ,
instituteforsuccess.googlepa g es.com

This unique program to be held for one week on the Hood College
campus is designed to open children's minds to learning. The
program will provide instruction based on individual needs in
organization, memory, learning strategies, technological skills, and
leadership to students ages 8-13. Instruction will be geared to
each students strengths and needs and will be fast-paced and
hands-on. Snacks and lunch will be provided. Space is limited,
and students will be screened to determine the appropriateness of
the program to meet their needs. Parent education will be
available to support parents as they guide their children on the
journey to success.

The instructors are experts in the field of education with expertise
in learning strategies, technology and leadership. Collectively,
they have taught in elementary, middle and high schools in both
special education and general education, served as learning
disabilities consultants, prepared teachers for both general and
special education, taught courses in assistive technology, learning
strategies, and leadership, and have presented nationally and
internationally on learning strategies and the preparation of
teachers.

Congressional Camps: www.congressionalschools.
org/camp/index.php

Tae Kwon Do camp

Therapeutic Integrated Summer School : “For those of you with
young kids I would highly recommend the Arlington County School
camp that integrates OT and speech. This was the best camp
experience we have ever enjoyed.” (APS)
www.apsva.us/1540108115234773/site/default.asp?

Joni and Friends camps: located throughout the United
States. They are designed for families with a member or
members with any type of disability. They last for about four days
and include wonderful sports activities, crafts, support groups for
parents, swimming, all meals. You stay in a hotel room or cabin
with your child. But in the morning a trained helper comes to get
your child and stays with your child all day while they are in their
group. The helper takes a small break in the afternoon and then is
with your child for the rest of the day until bedtime. It is a wonderful
way to go on a vacation as a family or part of a family and still get
a break for yourself. When I went with my adult daughter with
aspergers, they put her in the high school group and it was perfect
for her. They offer free haircuts for the entire family and free
massages. Many families wait until camp and get their hair cut
then. We attended in Pennsylvania and it was an awesome week.
Joni and Friends is a Christian organization, but all are welcome.

Summit special needs camp in Pennsylvania, near King of
Prussia (Philly). “[My son] had a great time. It is generally a 2-
week camp, but the intro camp is one week long.”
www.summitcamp.com

Art League in Alexandria: “My 13 year old son really enjoyed the
art classes offered through the Art League in Alexandria. See
www.theartleague.org/school/ for details. In the course finder
section, enter either Children or Teen in the Category field to
search for art classes. I think Teen classes are for kids roughly 12
and up, but it seems to vary by class.”

MadScience of Washington,
12065 Tech Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904, 301-593-4777,
Fax: 301-593-7062
info@madscienceofdc.com, www.madscience.org

Robotics Factory, 1-888-724-3620,
www.ScienceAdventure.com

Knights of Columbus (swimming, games),
Eliza Kirchner Camp Director, 5115 Little Falls Rd, Arlington , VA
22207, 703-536-9656, x4, kofccamp@comcast.net
www.kofcedw2473.org/facilities/camp_2008_1.shtml

Summerfest Day Camp, 7 am - 6 pm, Arlington County Parks
& Recreation, 703-228-4747,
www.arlingtonva.
us/Departments/ParksRecreation/scripts/camps/ParksRecreation
Scripts CampsMain.aspx

All-American Sports Camps

9 am - 3 pm, 703-988-8123 (via Arlington County Parks &
Recreation)

Camp Discovery (developmental disabilibilities, ADS),

9 am - 3 pm, Arlington County Parks & Recreation, 703- 228-4747,
www.arlingtonva.
us/Departments/ParksRecreation/scripts/camps/ParksRecreation
Scripts CampsMain.aspx

Ultimate Adventure Day Camp

(day trips, 1 over-night optional),
8 am - 5 pm, 800-877-0954,
www.adventurelinks.net/cart/index.php?
action=viewprod&prod=119

DOWN ON THE FARM

9 am - 4 pm, YMCA Arlington, 703-525-5420, www.ymcadc.
org/Summer-Camp.aspx
(Ages 5-8, Farm animals, scarecrows, pick-your-own and more on
daily field trips to a variety of farms.)

Therapeutic Rec Camps (PRCR, Arlington County):
much accommodation from the Therapeutic Recreation staff.

w ww.co.arlington.va.
us/Departments/ParksRecreation/ParksRecreationMain.aspx
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Camp Links From Fairfax County:
Academic

CompuWrite @ George Mason University

Writing camp for students experiencing difficulties with the writing
process. Camp uses computers to enhance the writing process
and to improve written language skills.
Ages 7-13, 703-993-3680, compcamp@gmu.edu

Handwriting Detective Club

Summer camp for children to improve handwriting skills
Ages 4+, Burke & Centreville, Virginia, 703-266-3685,
www.hdctutoring.com

Lab School of Washington

Academic support for students
Ages 5 – 18, 202-965-6600,
www.labschool.org/content/summerprograms

SCORE! Educational Centers Summer Programs

Writing, Study Skills & Math camps
Ages Pre-K – 9th, 1-888-417-2673, www.escore.com

Spell Read P.A.T.

Intensive sessions to help children with reading & spelling
Rockville, MD, Ages 5+ , 301-770-6900, www.spellread.com

Summer Pre-College Programs @ HEATH Resource Center,
George Washington University

Pre-college programs for students with disabilities
www.heath.gwu.edu/node/408
Return to topics list

Educational Connections, Inc., 3923 University Drive Fairfax,
VA 22030, 703-934-8282, Fax: 703-934-1222, info@ectutoring.
com, www.ectutoring.com

In-Home Tutoring packages and Small Group Classes at our
office.

ADD/HD Camps

ADHD Friendship Camps

Camp for children with ADHD to help build confidence and
improve social skills. Ashburn, Virginia, Ages 5-12
703-508-7908,
ADHDcamps@aol.com , www.celebrate-ADHD.com

Fairfax County Community & Recreation Services
The Park Authority offers inclusion opportunities in all summer
camps for residents of Fairfax County, Falls Church City or the
City of Fairfax. Specific camps for children with ADHD.
Ages 4-18, 703-222-4664
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/recpac

Palladin Day Camp @ Chesterbrook Academy

Camp for children with ADHD, dyslexia & learning disabilities
Chantilly, Virginia, Ages 5-12, 703-397-0520,
www.chesterbrook-academy.com

Talisman Summer Camp

Adventure camp for children with ADD/ADHD
Black Mountain, North Carolina, Ages 8-21, 888-458-8226
summer@talismancamps.com

Wediko Children’s Services Summer Camp

Camp for children struggling with ADD ~ staff to child ratio is l:2.
New Hampshire, Ages 7-18, 617-292-9200

Autism/Asperger Syndrome

Autism Outreach Camps
ABA based camps in Herndon, Virginia
Ages 2-13, 703-689-0019, www.autismoutreach.org

Camp Akeela

Camp Akeela is a co-ed, overnight camp that helps campers
improve their social skills. Ages 9 -16, 866- 680-4744, www.
campakeela.com

Kamp A-Kom-Plish!

This is an inclusive camp in Southern Maryland, and in the past
have had several campers with Asperger's Syndrome attend their
program.

Kamp A-Kom-Plish, 9305 Ironsides Road, Nanjemoy, MD 20662,
301-870-3226, www.kampakomplish.org

Camp R.A.M.A.

St. Joesph’s Villa camp for children with developmental
disabilities including autism. Richmond, Virginia, Ages 5-22, 804-
553-3282
www.stjosephsvilla.net

McLean Bible Access Ministry, Vienna, Virginia, Ages 5-15
703-770-2942, www.mcleanbible.org

Simcha Summer Camp

A Reform Jewish camping experience for families
of children with autism spectrum disorders. Bruceville, Texas
559-790-6248, urj.org/camps/simcha/

Vanderbilt Childrens Summer Camp

For children with autism spectrum disorders
Nashville, Tennessee, Ages 6-12 615-936-1705
www.vanderbiltchildrens.com/interior.php?mid=1007

TIC Computer Camp @ The Woods Academy

Technology camp with shuttle bus provided. Ages 7-16
Bethesda, Maryland, 703-241-5542
www.ttlc.org/camp_littlefoot.htm

Emotional/Behavioral Issues

Camp Attaway

Day camp for children with emotional and behavioral disorders
Columbia, Maryland, Ages 7-13, 410-730-2633
www.campattaway.org

Camp Greentop

For individuals with emotional and multiple disabilities and their
families.
Catoctin Mountains National Park, Maryland, Ages 7-adult
410-323-0500, www.campgreentop.org

Kidz Clubhouse

Themed camps for kids with and without disabilities.
Ages 5-22, Great Falls, Virginia, 703-438-8370
www.kidzclubhouse.org

Fairfax County Government

Fairfax County Park Authority
The FCPA offers inclusion opportunities in summer camps for
residents of Fairfax County, Falls Church City or the City of Fairfax
as well as out-of-county residents. Only the Rec PAC Summer
Camp program is closed to out-of-county residents. Camps open
to all disabilities.
Ages 3-16, 703-222-4664,
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ada.htm
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec/rec_camps.htm
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ada/rec-pac.htm

Fairfax County Department of Community & Recreation
Services Therapeutic Recreation Services Summer
Recreation Camps for Individuals with Disabilities.

Provides children with disabilities the opportunity to engage in a
variety of recreation activities with non-disabled peers in large
group situations.
Grades 1-6, 703-324-5532, www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rec

Fairfax County Office for Children SACC Program
Summer SACC Camp Discovery 2009

Fairfax County, Ages 5-12, 703-449-8989
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ofc/saccsummer.htm

Sensory Motor Integration

Basic Concepts

Full and half-day camps to improve sensory integration, speech,
language, and social skills. Ages 3-9, Rockville, Maryland
240-447-8013, www.basicconcepts.org

Camp Littlefoot @ Treatment & Learning Centers

Therapeutic camps for sensory integration, speech/language,
learning enrichment and handwriting
Ages 3-13, Rockville, Maryland, 301-738-9691
www.ttlc.org/camp-littlefoot.html

Summer Camp

O.T. Foundations Camp
6179 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852
301.770.0604 www.miwtherapy.com

A fun-filled occupational therapy camp providing intensive
handwriting and reading intervention along with Tae Kwon Do and
Art. Limited to 8 campers per session.

Lowell School Summer Programs

Camps to enhance sensory motor development, Ages 4-10
Washington, D.C., 202-577-2006, www.lowellschool.org

Sense Abilities for Kids ~ Camp Sensational

Based on the principles of sensory integration in a fun-filled
environment. All children are welcome. Leesburg, Virginia
571-232-9329, www.sa4kids.com

Sensational Explorers Day Camp

Camp for high functioning children with sensory integration needs
Ages 5-10, Burke, Virginia, SensoryCamp@hotmail.com
703-978-6532, www.sensorycamp.citymax.
com/page/page/2988246.htm

Skill Builders

Designed for children with sensory integration difficulties as well
as speech and language delays. Ideal for children between the
ages of 3 and 5 to provide them with an engaging social
atmosphere that emphasizes sensory activities through play with
peers.
703-750-2443, www.skillbuildersllc.com

Summer Adventure Program by Lynn Israel & Associates

Therapeutic camp to enhance sensory motor development
Ages 4-11, Washington, D.C., 202-244-8089, x29,
www.otpt4kids.com

Social Skills

Basic Concepts

Full and half-day camps to improve sensory integration, speech,
language, and social skills.
Ages 3-9, Rockville, Maryland, 240-447-8013, www.
basicconcepts.org

Summer Social Groups with Kate McClain

A social group is the perfect opportunity for your child to maintain
and improve social, communication, and play skills over the
summer in a small group of similar-age peers. The main goal of
these groups is to help children feel confident and successful in
social situations by providing a structured, supportive environment
in which to explore and play. Please see below for descriptions of
groups, broken down by age:

Ages 3 to 5 (pre-K and K): Little ones will improve social
interaction and communication at they engage in sensory
exploration, arts and crafts, fine and gross motor play, simple
games, pretend play, and more!

Ages 5 to 7: Kindergarten and primary school kids need to know
how to play and talk with other children in many different contexts,
including on the playground, in the lunchroom, on a play-date, and
at home. Facilitated play is one of the best ways to help them learn
to do this!

Ages 8 to 11: In the upper elementary grades, play becomes
more sophisticated and centers around favorite interests. Though
one of the goals of this group will be expanding interests, favorite
interests will be used for motivation during various activities,
including active games (think Pokemon Tag), board games,
sports, and playground games. We will also discuss “pop culture”
topics such as current books, movies, music, etc. Depending on
the group, we may go on some outings, such as to a local
restaurant or playground.

Teens/Young Adults: I will teach social and communication skills
as well as practical skills through activities and outings based on
the participants' interests and abilities. We will work on expanding
interests through discussion of pop culture topics. Possible
excursions include taking the Metro, walking to a restaurant,
buying stamps at the post office and mailing a letter, or planning
and inviting a friend to a party.

Please contact me for schedule and fees

Fee includes a gluten-free, nut-free snack, where applicable*

*Sessions that have children with nut allergies will be nut-free, and
sessions with children who are on a GF diet will be GF.

Register early; groups will be limited to 5 children (4 children in the
3-4 year old group) and fill up fast! Email me at
kate.mcclain@gmail.com, call me at 571-312-2704, or check out
my website, www.katemcclain.org, for more information.

JSSA (Jewish Social Service Agency) and the Jewish
Community Center of Greater Washington (JCCGW) this
summer are jointly offering for the first time two specialized
social skills summer camp programs called The BFF Club! -
Building and Fostering Friendships. BFF Club is appropriate
for children with social skills deficits, anxiety disorders, ADHD and
high-functioning Asperger's. JSSA and the JCCGW work with
people of all religious and ethnic backgrounds.

The camp will be offered at the JCCGW, 6125 Montrose Road ,
Rockville , MD as both a 3 week enrichment program as well as
an intensive 2 week program for children ages 8-10 (Grades 2-4).

Led by JSSA child and family social workers, the camp teaches
children important skills for making and keeping friends. It is
based on JSSA's social skills group model and on the curriculum
developed for our successful Camp Shalom , a social skills camp
run by JSSA and the Jewish Community Center of Northern
Virginia, now in its third year. BFF Club is appropriate for children
with social skills deficits, anxiety disorders, ADHD and high-
functioning Asperger's.

Please find attached a flyer with a detailed description of each
program. Information is also on our website, www.jssa.org

Camp Shalom @ JCCNV

Non-denominational summer social skills camp. Ages 7-10,
Fairfax, VA
703-323-0880, www.jccnv.org

Inova Kellar Center

Small therapeutic environment with emphasis on improved social
skills and self-esteem
Ages 6-12, Fairfax, Virginia, 703-218-8500
www.inova.org/community/inova_kellar_center/summer.jsp

North Star Academy Day Camp

Day camp that stresses cooperation and social skills
Ages 5-15, Richmond, Virginia, 804-747-1003,
www.northstaracademy.net

Stepping Stones to School Success

Summer program for social skills
Ages 5-12, Fairfax, Virginia, 703-876-8480, www.insteppc.com

Chesapeake Center
Speech/language, PT and OT therapy sessions
Ages 3-6, Springfield, Virginia, 703-924-4100
www.chesapeakectr.com

Sensational Summer Camp

Socialization and Sensory Integration Experiences
Leesburg, VA, Ages 4-10, 703-858-7388, www.childrens-speech.
com

Sense-Ational Play Time

Therapeutic summer camp staffed by speech/language therapists
Ages 3-5, Rockville, Maryland, 301-942-6006

MIW (Move into Writing) Occupational Therapy
6179 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852
301.770.0604 www.miwtherapy.com

MIW Therapy is a pediatric occupational therapy clinic
specializing in the treatment of dysgraphia (handwriting
difficulties). Our core program, Move into Writing, teaches
handwriting in a fast-paced, multi-sensory, and systematic manner.

Handwriting problems often occur in combination with fine and
gross motor coordination difficulties. Identifying the presence of
these underlying motor issues is a critical part of the diagnostic
process which provides a solid foundation for comprehensive
treatment of the child.

In addition to occupational therapy services, our practice also
provides Reading tutoring using the Phonographix method.

Summer Camp

O.T. Foundations Camp
6179 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852
301.770.0604 www.miwtherapy.com

A fun-filled occupational therapy camp providing intensive
handwriting and reading intervention along with Tae Kwon Do and
Art. Limited to 8 campers per session.

OT Ventures, LLC will be running our highly successful multi-day
camp program again this summer in Ellicott City, MD.

Children learn through their senses. This camp program is
designed to be both fun and educational for children. Children will
participate in multi-sensory activities to improve their social
interaction, sense of movement, touch, taste, and sound, as well
as fine and gross motor coordination.

This amazing camp program will be led by a multi-disciplinary
team of Occupational Therapists, a Speech Language
Pathologist, and a Special Education student.

For more information, please contact Jamie Levine, OTR/L at
ot_ventures@hotmail.com or 443-812-6396.

Children's Speech Therapy Center, ASHBURN: 44025
Pipeline Plaza, Suite 105, Ashburn, VA 20147, 703-858-7388
info@childrens-speech.com, www.childrens-speech.com

This Summer Children’s Speech Therapy Center will be offering
Social Language Skills Camps in our new Ashburn facility. These
camps are designed specifically for children who need to enhance
their social and language skills to better interact with their peers.

                              Sports

Burgundy Farm Summer Day Camp Co-ed traditional camp

Ages 3-15, 703-960-3431, www.burgandyfarm.org

Camp Virginia Jaycee

Camping opportunities for children and adults with special needs
Ages 5+, 800-865-0092, www.campvirginiajaycee.org

Challenger Baseball Skill Builder Camp

Sports camps for mentally and physically challenged
Ages 6-18, Virginia & Maryland, 888-854-5608

Challenger Baseball

Little league baseball for kids with disabilities
Ages 4 - 21, Springfield, Virginia, 703-304-2330
www.springfieldchallenger.org

Freedom Center Special Needs Camp

Recreation and sports camp
Fairfax, Virginia, Ages 6-12, 703-993-8444,
www.freedom-center.com

National Ability Center

Adventure camps that include horseback riding, water skiing,
cycling and canoeing, Park City, Utah, All ages, 435-649-3991,
www.nac1985.org/camps

Rivers Way Outdoor Adventure Center

Outdoor adventure and recreation summer camp with rafting,
hiking, climbing for disabled and non-disabled Bluff City, TN,
Ages 10-18, 423-538-0405, www.riversway.org

SUMMER CAMPS 2009