19 Summer Camps for Individuals with Special Needs
As a child, I do not remember ever going to away to camp. Vacation Bible School was probably the closest thing to camp, but every year we did manage to go to our grandmother’s house in good ole’ West Virginia and quite frankly depending on what my brother and I discovered that year (snakes and the use turpentine to keep them away or learning to stay off a busy highway when wanting to go for a leisurely walk). There was always something we learned being with our grandmother, so that was like our camp experience. Now that I think about it, we used to make bonfires and it was pretty fun.
It is almost time for summer camp and for some individuals with special needs they do not get to experience like others, how it is to be able to go away to camp even for a week. I have composed a small list of places within Metro Atlanta that have some type of summer camp/program for those with disabilities or special needs.
Here is the list that I have compiled:
2880 Dresden Dr., Atlanta, GA
Program with Orton-Gillingham trained teachers. Also, Middle School Leadership Institute available. Please join us for camps that are specifically designed for students with learning differences who will be entering grades 1st through 6th. All camps are taught by well-trained, experienced teachers. Our camps are affordable, designed for maximum fun and all are small in size with no class containing more than ten students (from the website mentioned above).   Appropriate for: Teen, Elementary
1090 Powers Place, Alpharetta.
For students with AS, HFA, ADHD/ADD or LD. Morning math skills or afternoon LA skills. They have scholarships available for families that qualify. Appropriate for: Elementary, Teen
High Meadows (Roswell); Cowart YMCA (Sandy Springs), 1055 Willeo Rd., Roswell, GA
Inclusion with a typical kids camp. Swimming, arts and crafts and more. Appropriate for: Elementary, Teen
Camp Happy Hearts
Alpharetta Recreation & Parks, The Lionheart School, 225 Roswell St., Alpharetta, GA. Call 678-297-6154
Swimming, arts and crafts, games, sports and field trips for children with mild disabilities.Appropriate for: Elementary
Academy at North Fulton, 11660 Alpharetta Hwy. Roswell, GA
Physically and mentally engaging sports, games and activities. Special needs and typical campers welcome. Grouped by age and ability.
Appropriate for:Â Elementary, Teen
Children’s Special Services Various Schools in Atlanta
Full day available. | Handwriting, social skills and sensory development. Appropriate for:Â Preschool, Elementary, Teen
206 Rogers St. NE, Suite 214, Atlanta, GAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Learn low trapeze, rope climbing, juggling and tightwire. Appropriate for:Â Elementary
Circus Arts Social Summer Camp is based on the same principals and methods as Small Group Circus Arts Therapy. The program is specifically designed for those with learning differences, physical challenges, social challenges, and other special needs. It is a unique play therapy experience that may be practiced independently or used to compliment other types of therapy.
650 Mt. Vernon Hwy., Atlanta, GA
Field trips, daily math and language, social pragmatics in a positive and fun environment. Appropriate for:Â Elementary, Teen
Various Locations
Camp Hollywood includes crafts, cooking, books, science, recreation and music. Camp Team (ages 7-13) includes swimming, team activities, nature hikes, pottery, sports, music. Appropriate for:Â Elementary, Teen, Adult
1815 S. Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA
Inclusive camp for typically developing and special needs children including themes and field trips. Appropriate for:Â Elementary
1955 Cliff Valley Way, Atlanta, GA
Campers with physical, cognitive and/or sensory disabilities learn alongside siblings and peers to play using adaptive and innovative technology. Appropriate for:Â Elementary
1517 Johnson Ferry Road., Marietta, GA
Camp sessions include reading, writing and social skills plus cooking, crafts and woodworking. Appropriate for:Â Preschool, Elementary, Teen
Northwest Unitarian Church, 1025 Mt. Vernon Hwy., NW Atlanta, GA
PE-based program for kids receiving O.T. due to sensory integration issues. AspergerÃs, ADHD and HFA. Hiking, art therapy, fishing, bicycling, music and drama. Appropriate for:Â Elementary
200 Cox Rd., Roswell, GA
Maintain academic progress within a fun camp experience. Camp includes academics, arts and crafts, OT, PE, in-house field trips. Appropriate for:Â Elementary
Shenanigans Applied Theatre Camp
Locations in Roswell, Marietta, Buckhead
Theme camps in improv acting for teens transitioning to adults. Appropriate for:Â Teen, Adult
Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett Camps
660 Davis Rd., Lawrenceville, GA
Both typical and special needs early intervention, therapeutic and hands-on play. Camp available for special needs young adults. Appropriate for:Â Preschool, Elementary, Teen
Bedford School, 5665 Milam Rd. Fairburn, GA
For children with learning differences, ADD or academic difficulties. Includes reading, math and writing skills. Appropriate for:Â Elementary, Teen
Wheeler Park, Maxwell Building, 1400 Parker Rd., Conyers, GA 770-278-7249
Sports, games, swimming, music, dance, cooking, art and field trips for teens with special needs. Appropriate for:Â Teen, Adult
282 Mt. Paran Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA
Academic and creative writing camps (mornings), afternoon adventures for students with reading difficulties, including dyslexia. Appropriate for:Â Elementary, Teen
An entire list of camps are found here: Metro Atlanta 2016 Camp Guide, but feel free to see other Summer Camp Guides:
http://fieldtripswithsue.com/summer-camps-in-atlanta-2/
http://www.reallyareyouserious.com/science-camp-atlanta-edition/
http://www.thecrunchymommy.com/top-15-atlanta-day-camps/
http://www.lovepeaceandtinyfeet.com/science-camp-atlanta/
http://mommyoctopus.com/2016/02/athens-summer-camps