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2024 Camps for Summer Fun!
Please note that this directory has been compiled and posted as a service to the Michigan community. Special Needs Living Magazine does not endorse any particular activity or organization on this list. Camps listed specifically serve persons with disabilities and/or include this population in their program. Some solely serve children and/or adults on the autism spectrum. Parents are advised to investigate the opportunities presented below to determine the appropriateness of each activity for their family member.More and more families are checking their local YMCA, Parks and Recreation department, and even private gyms, recreational facilities and local Girl Scout councils and finding that programs have been, or are being, developed for children and/or adults with disabilities. For example, there are martial arts programs available in some communities for individuals with special needs, and there are martial arts programs that include people on the autism spectrum.Some programs have an “inclusion coordinator” or other staff designated to support children and/or adults with disabilities. Within this listing, you will notice a few programs offered by these types of organizations around Michigan. You are encouraged to check with various organizations in your community to inquire about their specialized programs and/or supports within existing programs to accommodate children and adults with disabilities, including individuals on the autism spectrum.
Please visit https://www.veryspecialcamps.com/Michigan/Special-Needs-Summer-Camps.shtml for ages, camp dates and costs for camps that are listed below.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Social Skills Camp
10327 Grand River Ave #401, Brighton, MI 48116
Campers will learn what to do in specific social situations by playing games, using role play, having discussions, getting feedback and more. Staff ratio 3:1. If you'd like to join us for Summer Camp, please let us know as soon as enrollment begins in the spring. Mostinsurance covers the ABA therapy we provide during the summer. Space fills up quickly, but we do our very best to accommodate everyone who wants to join in on the fun. https://behaviorexchange.com/our-services/summer-camp/
The Arc Shiawassee/Mid-Michigan Summer Day Camp
215 N. Water St Ste 19, Owosso, MI, 48867, 989-723-7377
The Arc Shiawassee's summer day camp is designed for teens and adults, age 13 and up, with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This camp is a place where everyone will have fun making new friends, building new skills and growing more independent. https://arcmidmichigan.org/
Bay Cliff Health Camp
N4175 County Rd KCA, Big Bay, MI, 49808-0310 906-345-9314
Summer therapy camp for children whose primary impairment is physical disabilities (including limb loss) in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula. Offering physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, & music therapy. https://baycliff.org/
Camp A.B.L.E.
50440 Cherry Hill Road, Canton, MI, 48188, 734-394-5367
Camp A.B.L.E. is designed for individuals with disabilities. This camp offers unique opportunities to enhance social skills, reinforce gross and fine motor skills and foster independence. We attend field-trips two times a week, from zoo's to bowling. On Monday, Wednesday and Fridays we participate in different themed activities and welcome guest speakers. We also swim at the Summit on the Park. https://www.veryspecialcamps.com/summer-camps/Camp-ABLE-2677.html
Camp Casey
PO Box 2225, Birmingham, MI, 48012, 248-705-2780
Horseback riding program kids with cancer and their families in Michigan. Overnight retreats and horsey house calls provide respite to families during tumultuous times. https://camp-casey.org/
Camp Chris Williams
10500 Lincoln Lake Rd. NE, Hosted at Camp Iuhsmeheta, Greenville, MI, 48838 517-335-8273
Traditional, week-long residential camp for Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth the first full week of August. Offers typical camp activities long with some STEM activities and mentoring by D/HH professionals in various fields and sciences. AGES 11-17 years. https://www.michdhh.org/camp-chris-williams.html
Camp Fish Tales
2177 E. Erickson Rd., Pinconning, MI, 48650, 989-879-5199
Our mission is to provide a unique and exciting outdoor learning experience where adults and children with special needs interact and develop skills that enhance their health, abilities, independence and quality of life. The goal of camp is to promote an atmosphere for individuals with disabilities to meet and make new friends while participating in growth activities. Campers learn to understand and overcome some of their emotional/physical needs. Recreational therapeutic activities are provided such as swimming, rock wall climbing (with a special harness), sports and games, and crafts, which utilize fine and gross motor skills. Programming also includes a variety of social skills, which includes but is not limited to, helping campers interact and communicate with others. https://campfishtales.org/
Camp Grace Bentley
8250 Lakeshore Road, Burtchville, MI, 48059 810 327 6621
Camp Grace Bentley hosts campers with a range of physical and/or mental challenges. Children ages 7-16 are invited to sign up for a 9 day sessionCamp Grace Bentley offers a variety of sporting and creative activities...all designed for special needs children. We have swimming and beach activities, campfires and sing-alongs, movie nights, theme nights, arts and crafts, dances, team sports and more. https://campgracebentley.org/
Camp Midicha
10407 N. Fenton Rd., Fenton, MI, 48430 USA, 810-629-9622
Camp Midicha provides a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience for children with diabetes, as well as offering a healthy and educational extension to diabetes care. https://diabetes.org/
Camp Skyline
5650 Sandhill Rd, Almont, MI, 48003, 810-798-8240
Skyline welcomes campers with special needs in three sessions (teens, young adults, adults) for week-long residential camp. Just north of Metro Detroit, Skyline is accredited by the American Camp Association. Ratio for special needs camps is 1:3. https://www.campskyline.org/
Camp Skywild
At YMCA Camp Timbers, West Branch, MI August 12-17
At Camp SkyWild, we are designing a world that better fits all kids. We are building overnight summer camp spaces for kids on the autism spectrum to be in their element, able to access the same exciting recreational programming available to their peers with added supports and accommodations in place for them to thrive. We aim to inspire folks across all youth development professions to reinvent the way we celebrate our kids’ differences and build spaces that encourage them to stay wild. https://www.campskywild.org/
Camp Zip
McKenny Hall, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, 313-405-7041
Camp Zip is dedicated to providing opportunities to adults with disabilities. Our staff works year round to ensure that your experience at Camp Zip meets your needs and exceeds their expectations. Our goal is to be the best! Campers will be presented with the opportunity to try new things and stretch themselves to be the best they can be.
https://michiganvolunteers.org/listing-item/camp-zip-michigan/
Conductive Learning Center of North America (CLC)
2401 Camelot Ct. SE, Suite J, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546,616-575-0575
School year programming and Summer Camp at CLC is an opportunity for students of all ages to come for an intensive four-week session of conductive education. Groups of students, similar in age and physical challenges, learn mobility skills, independence, and functional daily living skills, within a supportive group atmosphere of fun and adventure. Students meet for three to six hours per day depending upon their group and age.
https://www.conductivelearningcenter.org/
Epilepsy Family Camp
1200 University Camp Drive, Pinckney, MI, 48169, 734-680-8744
Families enjoy a wide range of summer fun activities including swimming, fishing, archery and so much more. The chance to try new things and the interaction with others who live with epilepsy contribute to a truly life-changing experience. Campers come away with newfound confidence, independence, social skills, knowledge of epilepsy, and friendships. Parents benefit from dedicated family time and building connections within the epilepsy community. https://epilepsymichigan.org/camp/
Equest Center Summer Horsemanship Day Camp
3777 Rector, Rockford, MI, 49341, (616) 866-3066 Ext. 104
Our camp is available for all horse lovers of all abilities, beginning through advanced riders. Our ultimate goal is to teach each participant what it would be like to have a horse of their own.
https://equestcenter.org/programs/horsemanship-day-camp/
FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation
1669 W. Maple Rd., Birmingham, MI, 48009 248.646.3347
FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation offers a variety of summer experiences. Please visit our website for more information. https://far-therapy.org/programs/summer-camps/
The Fowler Center for Outdoor Learning
2315 Harmon Lake Rd., Mayville, MI, 48744, 989-673-2050
Since 1957 The Fowler Center (TFC) has been offering children and adults with disabilities the chance to learn recreational, social, and transitional skills in an outdoor, natural environment. Our goal is to offer a safe and comfortable program, so campers leave with memories of an enjoyable away-from-home experience. We empower campers with new-found self-esteem, friendships, and pride. Located on 200 acres of countryside in the Thumb of Michigan we offer a variety of accessible activities including horseback riding, high ropes w/ zipline, tree house, climbing wall, raised bed garden, small animal care, tripping, archery, and more!
Summer sessions run June 16- August 16, 2024. Our facility is open year-round offering weekend respite camps, seasonal camps, facility rentals, and travel adventures September - May.
Use your respite funds at camp! Talk to your supports coordinator to put it in your Individual Plan of Service.
Visit us online at thefowlercenter.org for more information on our programs or to register your camper.
Friendship Circle Summer Day Camp and Over Night Camp
6892 W. Maple Rd., West Bloomfield, MI, 48322 248-788-7878
Sessions through out the summer. For any questions please email camp@friendshipcircle.org
Step into the world of Friendship Circle Day Camp, where kids embark on a summer of excitement and camaraderie. Our program combines engaging social and learning activities, thrilling field trips, and the joy of making new friends. From hands-on learning to unforgettable adventures, every day is a chance for your child to create lasting memories and embrace the spirit of summer fun! Dive into the adventure at Overnight Summer Camp at Northstar Reach. Nestled in the beauty of nature, our camp offers a thrilling array of activities, including swimming, paddleboarding, arts and crafts, games, and even a talent show to showcase hidden talents. Here, friendships are forged around the campfire, and memories are made under the starlit sky. Join us for a summer of exploration, camaraderie, and a multitude of experiences that create lasting bonds! https://www.friendshipcircle.org/camp
Greenville Optimist Camp WWTS
825 South St., Greenville, MI, 48838, 616-754-1376
Greenville Optimists Camp takes campers who have a disability or who come from an at-risk household. https://8cap.org/greenville-optimist-camp/
Horizons Developmental Resource Center
3120 68th Street SE, Caledonia, MI, 49316 USA, 616-698-0306
Summer camp for children with Autism, Asperger's, Feeding Problems, Speech Problems and other developmental disabilities held at Horizons Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Living and Learning Enrichment Center Camp
801 Griswold St, Northville, MI 48167
For teens and young adults with disabilities, our summer camps are the perfect places to grow, learn, and have fun in a supportive environment.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to be part of our Living and Learning community this summer. For more information and to start the registration process, email us today at programs@llecmi.org. https://livingandlearningcenter.org/summer-camps/
OATS Summer Camp
4920 Groveland Road, Ortonville, MI 48462 (248) 245-1020
This is the mission of the OATS Equestrian Center. Founded in 1997 as Offering Alternative Therapy with Smiles, OATS is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit located in Ortonville, Michigan. As a volunteer-based organization, we are focused on promoting the health, well-being and happiness of individuals through equine-assisted services. Through the support of its instructors, dedicated volunteers and the community, OATS has grown to one of the largest programs of its type in Michigan. https://www.oatshrh.org/
O.U.R. Camp, Inc.
41355 Six Mile Road, Northville, MI, 48170, 734-516-0488
O.U.R. Camp is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) company that conducts a specialized summer day camp for young children, ages 3 to 13, with developmental needs. Its purpose is to provide continuity with school year programs and to stimulate the development of cognitive and social skills during the summer months. Activities are designed to promote improved self-image and group interaction skills. Since its inception in 2000, the children who have attended camp have had a wide range of special education certifications. Some of these include: Cognitive Impaired, Autism Spectrum, Speech and Language Impaired, Emotionally Impaired, or any child receiving special education services. ourcampinc.org
Special Needs Enrichment Camp
Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit, 6600 W Maple Rd, West Bloomfield Township, MI 48322 (248) 661-1000
When school is out, kids come in! Campers may come for a day or the entire break camp to meet up with friends from summer and enjoy camp favorites like sports, swimming, and arts and crafts. https://www.jccdet.org/specialneeds/
SpringHill Camps
P.O. Box 100, Evart, MI, 49631, 231-734-2616
SpringHill Camps is a youth camp located in both Michigan and Indiana! Whether you're looking for an awesome summer camp with extreme sports, exhilarating activities, outdoor adventures, or a meaningful experience, you can find it all at SpringHill. But, wait! It doesn't stop there. Teens can live-it-up at the winter retreats, parents and their children can have their own special events together. There is something for everyone at SpringHill Camps. All year round! See why over 35,000 campers experience SpringHill Camps each year.
https://www.springhillexperiences.com/
St Francis Camp on the Lake
10120 Murrey Road, Jerome, MI, 49249, 517-688-9212
St Francis Camp is located on Goose Lake in Hillsdale County of Michigan. We offer a rustic environment to our campers while still providing daily living abilities to all campers. We stress learning daily living skills so our campers can return home and have learned something that can be carried with them in the future. All campers are housed in dormitory style buildings.
Team GUTS Fun & Fitness Camp
509 Fisher Ct., Clawson, MI, 48017, 248-701-3067
The Team GUTS Fun & Fitness Camp is not only about having a great time, but being introduced to different physical activities in positive way and having that social component is very important as well. Health and wellness is not always at the forefront for our loved ones, but it is so important and so needed. https://www.teamgutsmichigan.com/
