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…

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…

Summer camps provide opportunities for children to experience play, pleasurable activities, and social interaction with other children of similar ages and interests and are an integral part of the modern-day American cultural landscape. The authors discuss the emergence of summer camps for children with special needs, the types of play activities…

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…

ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SEVEN RESIDENT CAMPS IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA AND 77 DAY CAMPS IN THE UNITED STATES WHICH SERVE CHILDREN OR ADULTS WITH PHYSICAL, MENTAL, SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL HANDICAPS ARE LISTED ALPHABETICALLY BY STATE. FOR EACH CAMP, INFORMATION ON TYPES OF THE HANDICAPPED WHO ARE ACCEPTED, SPECIFIC EXCLUSIONS, AGE RANGE, NUMBER…

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)

This directory is designed to help parents, caregivers, and professionals locate appropriate summer programs for children and youth with disabilities. It includes descriptions for more than 300 day and sleepaway programs and separate sections for young children and teenagers. Program descriptions are presented in English and in Spanish and include…

A nationwide survey of 31 residential summer camps indicated that disabled and nondisabled campers attended the same camp sessions; that camps served youth with a wide range of disabilities; that disabled and nondisabled campers jointly participated in meals, recreation, evening programs, and arts and crafts; and that camps were willing to…

Describes the following summer camps that challenge children to broaden their world views: (1) Encampment for Citizenship (California); (2) Highlander Research and Education Center (Tennessee); (3) Camp It Up (California); (4) Timber Trails Camps (Connecticut); (5) Children Connected to Their Culture Summer Camp (Kentucky); and (6) Westwood…

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,…

Presents a model of integrated residential camping, providing a resource for other models. The model program creates an inclusionary environment responsive to the needs and interests of children with and without disabilities. Parental responses, anecdotal information on interactions, and descriptions of changes in attitudes are included. (SM)

This bibliography presents 162 annotated references (including bibliographic materials, training and educational materials, and programs) about issues of recreation and leisure for adolescents and young adults with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Each reference usually contains a full bibliographic citation, a brief descriptive abstract, and…

Profiles a summer music and arts program specifically designed for children and adults with Williams Syndrome. Williams Syndrome is a chromosomal aberration, usually resulting in mild or moderate retardation often accompanied by an acute sensitivity to sound and perfect pitch. The summer program focused on music and performing arts. (MJP)