Staying active during the summer is of vital importance to all children. For children with disabilities, it becomes even more important to participate in a summer program so that there is no loss of function when returning to school in the fall. The core muscles are the stomach, back, and pelvic muscles, which support posture. Research shows that…

Camp provides an opportunity for a child to have fun, learn and grow in a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment. Tucked away in the picturesque Catoctin Mountain Park in Western Maryland, The League for People with Disabilities has run a summer camp program for over 70 years. Camp Greentop, the campground, is part of the national park, built…

Imagine a magical treehouse hidden in the woods, with secret doors and rope swings--the stuff of one's wildest dreams! Imagine children rolling their wheelchairs all the way around a lake and arriving at this wondrous place. At Camp Twin Lakes (CTL), a not-for-profit organization in Georgia, one doesn't have to imagine--it's the real thing. Each…

The arrival of summer signals a season of endless days of swimming, fishing, summer camps, and other outdoor activities. For children with chronic or terminal illnesses, it can be difficult to participate in many of these activities as well as challenging for parents to find summer camps that not only engage their children, but also offer the…

This article profiles Camp Barnabas, a non-denominational Christian camp for people with special needs located in southwest Missouri. For one week, campers have every opportunity possible to be a participant in the world around them, not just an observer. The camp's goal is to provide a typical camp experience--bugs, chants, cheers and incredible…

This article is the eighth part of a 12-part series that chronicles the life of a fictional family--Amita and Samir, and their daughter with special needs, Anjali. This article describes the transition process experienced by Anjali as she learns to become independent despite her disabilities. In this article, Anjali's experiences as an employee at…

This article features Shakespeare with Heart, a two week inclusive summer program for middle and high school students with and without disabilities. The program runs each morning until noon, culminating with a workshop performance of a Shakespeare play with full costume and set with a live audience of parents, friends, and community members. The…

Slippery Rock University (SRU), located in western Pennsylvania, is one of 14 state-owned institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania. The university has a rich tradition of providing professional preparation programs in special education, therapeutic recreation, physical education, and physical therapy for individuals with disabilities.…

When RCA recording artist Clay Aiken created an independent study project to fulfill requirements for a degree in Special Education, he had no idea that his theoretical design would soon become reality. Aiken's concept on paper outlined an organization that would promote inclusion for children with disabilities. The seed of the idea was planted…

This article features Friends' Discovery Camp, a program that allows children with and without autism spectrum disorder to learn and play together. In Friends' Discovery Camp, campers take part in sensory-rich experiences, ranging from hands-on activities and performing arts to science experiments and stories teaching social skills. Now in its 7th…

The Student Conservation Association has expanded its summer park service opportunities to disabled youth over 18. Students undertake a full range of duties in interpretation and visitor services; resource, recreation, forest, range, and wildlife management; trail construction and maintenance; backcountry and river patrols; and research. (CL)

A father recounts experiences in selecting and sending a handicapped eight-year-old child to a summer camp. Stressed are the family reactions to the child's camping experience. (DB)

Briefly described are four award winning summer programs including a Massachusetts Girl Scout camp which mainstreams girls with disabilities; a New York camp serving siblings of children with disabilities; a Texas camp which utilizes volunteers to serve disabled children who may have serious medical conditions; and a California camp offering…

When choosing a summer camp program for a disabled child, parents should look for programs and activities that present the child with a maximum challenge that can be met successfully. After checking agencies with information on various camps, parents should consider the camp's facilities, philosophy, resources, and staff. (CB)

Four award-winning summer programs provide opportunities for disabled children. Agassiz Village integrates physically disabled, inner-city, suburban, and rural campers. Camp Challenge serves hearing-impaired children and their families. Minspeak provides hands-on experience with assistive equipment and techniques for nonspeaking children, parents,…