Special needs summer camps offer a variety of sensory experiences and supports for children with disabilities. From adapted activities and sensory-inclusive outings to self-regulation tools and strategies, campers can benefit from a range of local program opportunities for summer fun with structure to help maintain academic readiness, build social-emotional skills and more. Here are some things to consider, as well as several programs around Northeast Ohio.
New to Inclusive Camp Exploration?
Consider if your child may be eligible for Extended School Year (ESY) services, or special education and related services that are provided by the school district beyond the traditional school year, usually during the summer, as determined by your child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team. School district funding may apply.
Certain camps may require school district referral or county board of developmental disabilities service qualification. County boards have an intake and assessment process, then, once eligible, a Service Support Administrator or (SSA) will help create an Individualized Service Plan or (ISP) for your child.
Camp costs vary and funding accepted may include private pay, family resource dollars/NEON, and/or scholarships (e.g., Jon Peterson Scholarship, Autism Scholarship), and grants for those who qualify.
Camp directors welcome conversations with parents to discuss whether a program is the right fit for a child’s specific needs. Questions often pertain to accessibility, staffing, camp-parent communication and how the camp handles behaviors, sensory sensitivities and more. Parents or guardians are often encouraged to share a written summary of their camper, including any helpful strategies or routines.
Maggie Clautti, manager of youth services at Achievement Centers’ Camp Cheerful, stresses accommodations and preparedness to provide a nurturing environment that meets the individual needs of campers.
“We are outside and active all day, so we always carry a group backpack with an assortment of sensory support tools, including timers, fidgets, headphones and first aid kit,” she says. “During an eight-day training before camp, our staff — which includes counselors who are college-age students in the field — learns about different disabilities and practices how to adapt activities. We focus on first aid, CPR and crisis prevention drills. To support even complex medical needs, we have two nurses on staff as well as two lifeguards.”
Achievement Centers for Children was Ohio’s first camp with recreation programs for children with disabilities. On a 52-acre campus, Camp Cheerful in the Cleveland Metroparks’ Mill Stream Run Reservation of Strongsville offers day, weekend and overnight camps for children and adults with physical, developmental and sensory disabilities. Children and adults ages 5 and older, with and without disabilities, participate in a variety of recreational activities that encourage confidence and independence, while also creating opportunities for lifelong friendships.
Cheerful Day Camp for ages 5-21 is offered weekly from June 8 to Aug. 14. Campers enjoy traditional camp activities including hiking, swimming, horsemanship activities (including sensory “horse painting”), a sensory trail, fishing, canoeing, arts and crafts, music, games, sports and campfires. The Camp Buddy Program invites teens ages 12-16 to enroll as peer supporters.
Sensational Extended School Year (ESY) Camp offers three sessions during the summer: June 15-July 2, July 6-17 and July 20-31, which require registration to be completed by each student’s school district. Campers enjoy traditional day camp activities in addition to dedicated cabin classroom time with Intervention Specialists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists to track IEP progress and ensure individualized attention.
Summer Overnight Camp is offered for adults ages 16 and up June through August, Sunday nights to Friday mornings.
Achievement Centers also offers an Adapted Sports Program for ages 5 and older, including Cavs Youth Sports Basketball (March – May) including an Adapted Cavalittles program, Cleveland Browns Adapted Football League (May – July), Adapted Baseball with the Guardians (August – October) and Adapted Soccer (January – March) held at various locations across the area. For more information and to access the Camp Brain registration site, visit: achievementcenters.org/summercamps
Abilities First occupational therapy summer camps in Rocky River focus on fine-motor skills for pre-writing and writing through fun games and sensory experiences. During June and July, children in pre-K through third grade participate in weekly small group sessions (2:1 ratio) led by an occupational therapist. Call 440-333-1880 to register. abilities1st.com
Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs offers day, overnight and ESY camps for children (ages 6-17) and adults (18+) with developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental health disorders. Counselor-to-camper ratio is 1:3 for children’s programs and 1:4 for adults. A state-of-the-art sensory room with soothing lights, sounds and activities is used for breaks with a focus on calming strategies.
The Children’s Overnight Camp at Rex Lake, of the Portage Lakes in New Franklin, is the flagship program where campers ages 6-17 learn new skills, develop friendships and gain independence participating in traditional camping activities, including swimming, kayaking, fishing, campfires, songs, crafts, games and more. Campers may register a sibling or close family friend if they are in the same age group. Cabins are grouped by age and abilities. Six week-long camp sessions are offered during June and July. Campers 18 and older can participate in Adult Camp July 5-10 and/or Aug. 2-7.
Day Camp at Rex Lake is offered to campers ages 6-21 during June and July. Campers enjoy traditional camp activities while spending each night at home.
ESY Camp, an expansion of the day camp program, offers intervention services from an intervention specialist, speech therapist and occupational therapist to address IEP goals. Two three-week sessions are offered in June and July.
Trailblazers Day Camp in partnership with Portage DD offers campers ages 6-21 seven one-week day camp sessions during June and July at the Happy Day Services Building in Ravenna. Campers must be eligible for services through Portage DD to receive funding towards camp costs. Campers enjoy nature, arts and crafts, games, swimming and more. For session dates, visit gotcamp.org/akron-rotary-camp
Albert Einstein Academy Strongsville campus offers week-long reading and math camps for students entering grades 1-5. Reading camp explores different genres of text focusing on reading strategies and writing process, while math campers participate in games, songs and dance with hand-on materials to expand math skills. Students do not have to be enrolled at AEA to take part. aeaohio.org
Beyond Words: Music, Art & Dance
Center in North Royalton offers a variety of week-long summer camps run by music therapists, art therapists and adapted dance instructors in small groups of eight students and two therapists. While all programs have sensory elements, Sensory Play Art Camp (ages 4-6) engages all five senses in new and playful ways through fun, hands-on art experiences. Speaking Through Song Camp (ages 4-6, 6-9 and 10-14) combines the expertise of a music therapist (from Beyond Words) and speech therapist (from Sprout Therapy) to help emerging communicators explore and expand their skills. Nature art, themed dance and musical theater camps vary each year. Sessions are 90 minutes long with the exception of half-day PASS (Performing Arts & Social Skills) Camp. Executive Director Erin Jester welcomes new families to contact her at 440-230-6100 ext. 700 to find what camp best fits their child. beyondwordscenter.org
Camp-Can-Do in Lakewood provides residents and non-residents educational and recreational opportunities for youth ages 5-13 with special needs ages 5 to 13. The eight-week program (four two-week sessions) is geared toward educating youth on a variety of positive and socially appropriate pursuits, as well as providing a high level of supervision for fun summer activities. Campers participate in adapted recreational activities like art, music, reading, language skills, speech, socialization, swimming, field trips and special events. Resident registration opens March 10.
recreation.lakewoodcityschools.org/camps
Camp Christopher SumFun Day Camp in Akron serves campers ages 5-21 who qualify for services through their local county board of developmental disabilities. For more than 100 years, operated by Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland, the camp has provided adventure in nature, community and spirit. SumFun creates a supportive environment tailored to the needs of individuals with disabilities. An active schedule provides engaging activities in a rustic atmosphere, including swimming, games, horseback riding, canoes and crafts. Registration opens in January. If an application is accepted, the camp will contact your SSA for a current copy of your camper’s ISP or IEP. ccdocle.org
Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center’s Free Stuttering Together Day Camp in Cleveland is a week-long camp designed for ages 9-16 who stutter. The program combines therapy with fun, peer-focused activities to build resilience and confidence. Campers participate in individual therapy that addresses personal goals for the week and group therapy engagement in fun, interactive activities with peers who stutter. Hosted in University Circle, campers practice skills in real-life situations at local restaurants and attractions. Space is limited. CHSC has also offered summer reading and literacy camps for students entering grades 1-4 with groups facilitated by a speech language pathologist certified as a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner. Youth with documented learning differences in reading receive structured multi-sensory instruction through fun activities focused on fluency, comprehension, spelling, writing mechanics and more. chsc.org
Jay Berk, Ph.D. & Associates mental health practice offers day and overnight social skills and technology reduction summer camps through its altenative education program Perspectives Acadmy. Perspectives PALS (Promoting Authentic Learning and Socializing) is a four-week program, running June 8-13, June 15-20, June 22-27, June 29-July 3, located in Beachwood focused on communication skills, emotions, conflict resolution, leadership and team building through fun crafting, athletics and sensory integration activities. jayberkphd.com/summer-at-pa
Social Skills 360 overnight camp for ages 8-20 runs July 25-Aug. 4 at Camp Aldersgate in Carrollton, Ohio, with a focus on learning and making new friends. Directed by a licensed clinical psychologist, campers take part in fun activities such as fishing, swimming, hiking, gaga, archery, paint war, sports court, canoeing, stand-up paddle boards, slip-n-slide, kickball, water games, slime dunk tank, rock climbing, high ropes and more, with social skills group every night in a structured goal-oriented environment. Space is limited due to returning campers. socialskills360.com
Julie Billiart Schools Beyond Camp is a four-week program for children entering grades K-9 (ages 5-14) with special learning needs. Camp is offered at all four campuses: Akron, Brecksville, Lyndhurst and Westlake. Staff includes experienced intervention specialists, a speech-language pathologist and a board certified behavior analyst. Camp is structured to help prevent summer learning loss and promote social skills and academics through community-based experiences, weekly field trips and activities including exercise, cooking, writing, art, STEM, music and sports. Field trips have featured sensory-inclusive venues like the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Greater Cleveland Aquarium. For non-JB students, limited spots are available and enrollment requires a review of their IEP/ETR. juliebilliartschool.org
New Avenues to Independence
Therapeutic Summer Camp in Mentor
offers a five-week program during June and July for youth ages 3 to 21 with disabilities to maintain and improve skills, support priority needs and IEP goals, build independence, and provide respite for families. With a staff ratio of 4:1, activities include art therapy, music therapy, adapted physical education, food preparation, outdoor activities and weekly special events. ESY, speech, and physical and occupational therapy services are available. Tuition varies based on Lake or out-of-county residence and services provided. Extra offerings include a nurse on the grounds, vocational training for older participants, snacks and on-site nursing care. Visit newavenues.net for an application or contact Children’s Program Director Emily Bloyd at [email protected]
Total Education Solutions in Fairlawn offers private-pay social adventure summer camps led by a speech pathologist. Elementary (ages 8-12) and teen (ages 13-17) groups of 5-6 youth focus on social skills through community outings to locations like Majestic Meadows, baseball games, restaurants, hikes and more. For more info, email Amanda McKee at [email protected] or visit tesidea.com
Cleveland Sight Center in Cleveland offers in-person recreation activities year-round. clevelandsightcenter.org
Musical Fingers in Kent offers unique music instruction and therapy programs that help meet a variety of physical, cognitive, social, emotional and musical goals for children ages 4 and up. musicalfingers.org
Adapted Athletics/Sports-focused Opportunities:
Youth Challenge connects young people ages 4-18 with physical disabilities or orthopedic, visual or hearing impairments who are able to participate in age-appropriate activities with trained teen volunteers free, year-round adapted sports, recreation and social growth activities. Also, seasonal competitive team sports, summer programs. youthchallengesports.com
Empower Sports Ohio of Cleveland offers sports and exercise programs at low or no cost for children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. Clinics help build skills, and league programs give athletes with special needs the chance to play alongside typically-functioning peers. Seasonal programs include basketball, lacrosse, softball and fitness. empowersports.org
Adaptive Sports Ohio offers individuals of all ages with physical disabilities community-based and interscholastic sports programs throughout the year at locations around Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, Wooster and more. Programs range from drop-in clinics to competitive teams. Annual Dream Camp is an overnight weekend experience in Ashley, Ohio that includes wheelchair basketball, wheelchair softball, track & field, swimming, kayaking, high ropes, campfire, dance, games and more. Campers may bring a personal care attendant for an extra cost. adaptivesportsohio.org
Rec2Connect Therapy connects people with special needs to aquatics, fitness and social group recreation programs serving Cuyahoga, Summit, Portage, Lorain, Medina, Lake and Geauga Counties. Weekly classes include cardio drumming for teens and adults led by a recreational therapist who incorporates movement, stretching, music and rhythm for an alternative cardiovascular workout. rec2connect.org
Jacob’s Ladder Special Needs Fitness is a faith-based exercise group in Strongsville offering personal and Zoom training, fitness classes and boxing instruction at various locations, including Columbia Station and
Westlake. jacobsladderfitness.com
Miracle League of Lake County in Eastlake and Miracle League of Northeast Ohio in Medina enable individuals with special needs to play baseball on an accessible rubberized turf field accompanied by an accessible playground. Each child is accompanied by an adult or assigned volunteer buddy. Equipment is provided to those who do not bring it. miracleleagueoflakecounty.org
