OT: Special Needs Summer Camps

[princess mom of 4]

I am trying to find an appropriate summer camp (1wk long overnight camp) for my DS-14, who has c.palsy. We live outside Atlanta, and I can't find anything in GA. I have found a few on the web, in TN, SC, and AL, but would love any recommendations from disers. (If he can't be at the World, he'd be happy to go to Camp!)

[ilovemickeymost]

Sorry don't have info about a specific camp, but wanted to pass along some info I found out. As I'm guessing very few of us are independantly wealthy & medical costs can be threw the roof, I found a way to help pay for camp. Go to the local VFW, Lion's Club, or Rotary & ask them to sponsor your child. DD's camp is $500 for a week & there is no way we can afford that w/ everything else we are paying for. I know some people feel funny asking for help, but know that these groups are formed to help their community members & really enjoy being able to help. DD is having a garage sale to raise most of the money, but what is left over will be covered this way.

[SueM in MN]

I don't know anything about these, but here are some I found:
Helping Hands Summer Camp
Duluth, Georgia, USA Phone: 678-475-0842
Summer Camp for both typical and special needs children

http://camptwinlakes.org/

Blaze Sports Camps (http://www.blazesports.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=6&tabid=125&tablevel=2)

Camp Hawkins (http://www.gbchfm.org/pages.asp?pageid=5715)

you could also try contacting Lions Club like was already suggested. I know the Lions in some areas sponsor summer camps.

[LMC]

Check the Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, AL to see if they have a residential camp program. I have heard lots of great things about their programs!!! We have not used them and I know DS would not go anywhere overnight w/o mom or dad. But just in talking with folks at the hospital, they all had good things to say about Lakeshore.

[LisaBi]

There is one near Springfield, MO (and they are building a 2nd somewhere in Texas) called Camp Barnabus. There were featured on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition last November. They are AWESOME! But they do fill up by about September for the next summer. Connor went for the first time last summer and it's still all he talks about - alternating with Disneyworld. He wants to be one of the two places all the time.

LisaB

[Angelrider]

Hi

Don't know anything abt camps in your area, but my suggestion would be to check w/your locaal UCP (ucp org I think). Just a comment here...glad to hear you want to send your child to camp!!! I'm a 37 yo Mommie of two, have CP and use a w/c. I started going to an Easter Seals camp when I was 8 aand went for nearly 20 yrs. Most of my greatest memories are times I had at camp!!!!!

[Tracyee]

A wonderful respite facility called, Hope House, in Union City, hosts a special needs camp put on by FOCUS. Users o fhope House, like my son, get to stay there for a week aand attend camp each day. www.Focus-GA.org for more information including day camps all around the Atlanta Metro area. Serves kids up to 21, I believe.

KoolKidz.org offers a day camp in 2 locations this year. One on the north side and one on the southside. It is a day camp but they have provided transportation in the past. Awesome camp put on by physical therapists.

My non-verabl, non-mobile son has attended both camps multipple times and had a blast. email me if you have more questions.