Every parent knows that a structured child is often a happy and safe child. Parents of special needs children know keeping their child in a routine is essential to their health and continued well-being. When school lets out for summer, enrolling a special needs child into an intimate day-camp setting may be beneficial for the child and the family.
Long Island has numerous summer camps with programs specializing in everything from the autism spectrum to weight-loss and nutrition camps. Other special needs satisfied by summer camps are neurobiological disorders, diabetes, epilepsy, physical and mental handicaps, stuttering and the visually impaired.
With the range in special needs met by LI’s various summer camps comes a variety of facilities and activities. Before enrolling your child, be aware of what is offered: Some camps include transportation and lunch, while others do not. Most summer camps have indoor areas with air conditioning to keep children comfortable, as well as swimming pools, a variety of sports activities and arts and crafts.
Camp HorseAbility
238 Round Swamp Rd., Melville. 631-367-1646. info@horseability.org. Ages 3-and-a-half to young adult.
Camp HorseAbility specializes in developmental and physical disorders, and offers horseback riding, with equines on-site to learn about and care for, swimming, a range of sports, arts and crafts and even circus workshops. No transportation, but the camp is open to families on Fridays.
Helen Keller Summer Camp
Farmingdale State University of New York. 516-485-1235, ext. 617. info@helenkeller.org. Ages 4 to 15.
This camp is free to the visually impaired or blind. The camp hosts a series of activities such as swimming, dancing, martial arts and day trips. The camp also has transportation services free to those who qualify.
American Cancer Society Camp Adventure
Shelter Island Heights. 1-800-ACS-2345. Ages 6 to 18.
This residential camp is a one-week adventure program for children with cancer and their siblings.
Camp Chaverim
15 Neil Ct., Oceanside. 516-766-4341. dsherwood@friedbergjcc.org. Ages 6 to 12.
Camp Chaverim is a great camp for children on the autism spectrum and holds extended hours for working parents. This camp also serves kosher foods and includes all the usual camp activities.
Gersh Academy at West Hills Day Camp
150 Broad Hollow Rd., Ste. 120, Melville. 631-385-3342. skleven@gershacademy.org. Ages 5 to 16.
This day camp has seven swimming pools with swimming instructors, rock climbing, social skill building, mini golf, boating, fishing, computer gaming, music and drama and arts and crafts, as well as a slew of other camp activities. Camp counselors are special education teachers and work in a 1:3 teacher-to-camper ratio. Transportation is provided by the camp.
