Disability Camps

From Disability Scoop:
"Disability Camps: Children, Teens; Adults with Disabilities"

Disability Camps

Camps for children and adults with disabilities can be defined under the respite services category as they provide planned short term, time-limited breaks for families and other unpaid carers of children, young people and adults with a disability with the intention that families/carers resume care at the end of the respite period. They are services that assume the caring role during the period of respite. In the U.S. public accommodation means a facility operated by a private entity whose operations affect commerce and fall within at least one of the enumerated categories under the law. Day camps and overnight camps fall under two categories of public accommodation as defined by the A.D.A.; subsections 9 and 12.

Main Document

Everyone, including children and adults who have physical disabilities, need a vacation away from home. Today you will find a large number of disability groups, clubs, and recreational camps for people with a wide range of disabilities, including summer camps for visually impaired students, teens, and children. Disability Camps provide barrier free outdoor experiences that promote personal growth and foster independence for children and adults with disabilities. Campers are encouraged to try new experiences in order to gain self-confidence, learn cooperation and communication, and increase personal independence in a safe and fun environment, providing a real summer camp experience for people with special needs. Separated from their parents, many for the first time, campers of all ages begin to take on challenges that build their self-confidence and sense of independence. Campers get to participate in swimming, nature studies and arts and crafts, canoeing, fishing, evening socials and sports and games. Many camps offer horse riding program for children and adults with disabilities through quality therapeutic riding programs. While other camps provide activities for children who are visually impaired and blind Some summer camps also cater for kids with complex neurological disorders who need highly specialized support to be successful at camp. There are many good reasons to send your child to camp, but the short answer is that it will be good for both of you. Your child will be in a place where they will receive care from skilled and experienced counselors, giving your child a chance to discover their independence, build their self-confidence and establish new friendships with peers. Campground staff have an understanding of youth with disabilities and special needs including the unique potential of each child and special attention is paid to peer relations, building self-confidence and learning new life skills. An emphasis is placed on building self-esteem and how to make and keep friends. Whether building a campfire, cleaning the cabin or learning how to handle a canoe, each camper learns to share the responsibility of camp life. Families enjoy peace of mind that their family member with a disability is having a good time with trained dedicated volunteers who are ready to help participants to try the activities of their choice. If a participant requires help with personal care, their carers can often attend certain camps at a reduced rate. Listed below we have provided several resources and information on disability camps and adventure holidays offering people with all types of disabilities fun and challenging opportunities. Winter camps and activities are also available with adaptive snow sports offering a variety of new innovative ways kids with a disability can enjoy the snow, ice, and year around camping activities.

Quick Facts: Disability Camps

The ideology of inclusion has resulted in increased opportunities for youth with disabilities to attend typical summer camps, while segregated recreational camp programs for otherwise healthy youth with disabilities have become fewer in number (Bullock, Mahon, & Welch, 1992). Programs that have provided exemplary summer camp services solely for youth and adults with disabilities for over 25 years are moving toward models of inclusion, resulting in the closure of segregated camps.

Summer camp programs for youth with disabilities in North America represent three broad categories.

(a) Inclusive in nature, bringing together youth with and without disabilities to enjoy recreational experiences (Bedini, 1990);

(b) Segregated in nature, providing recreational programs specifically designed for campers with disabilities within barrier free environments (Thurber & Malinowski, 1999);

(c) Designed to provide the medical and social supports necessary for campers who might otherwise be excluded from recreational camp settings (e.g., campers with kidney disease, cancer, sickle cell disease, asthma; Klee, Greenleaf, & Watkins, 1997; Martiniuk, 2003; Powars & Brown, 1990; Punnett & Thurber, 1993).

Statistics: American Camping Association Camp

- Camp Costs: Fees to attend camp vary from less than $100 to more than $1,500 per week

- Each year more than 11 million children and adults attend camp in the U.S. (2010 ACA Camp Compensation and Benefits Report)

- Camps employ more than 1,500,000 camp staff to work in various camp positions. (2010 ACA Camp Compensation and Benefits Report)

- Since 2002, the number of ACA day camps has increased by 69% and resident camps have increased by 21%. (CRM Camp Statistics Report, June 2013)

- More than 12,000 day and resident camps exist in the U.S., 7,000 are resident (overnight) and 5,000 are day camps. (2011 ACA Sites, Facilities, Programs Report)

- In the past 10 years, there has been an increase in the use of international staff to expose campers to different cultures. Nearly 20% of staff are from other countries. (2010 ACA Camp Compensation and Benefits Report)

- Nonprofit groups including youth agencies and religious organizations operate approximately 9,500 camps, and 2,500 are privately owned independent for-profit operators. (2011 ACA Sites, Facilities, Programs Report)

^ I worked at an overnight summer camp for people with physical and mental disabilities for 4 summers and know how hard the work being a counselor there is, but also how much joy and fun the campers who get to go to camp feel. ^

https://www.disabled-world.com/entertainment/camps/