Disability Camps

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.

If you are seeking campground employment and part time job opportunities try searching the Disabled World Summer Camp Jobs section.

Further Information Regarding Disability Camps

Bike Camp for Kids with Disabilities
The mission of Lose The Training Wheels is to teach individuals with disabilities to ride a conventional two wheel bicycle and become lifelong independent riders. This achievement, in turn, creates a gateway of opportunity, helping them gain assurance and self-reliance in many other aspects of their lives.

Camp Winston - Camps for Disabled - Ontario Canada
Camp Winston exists for kids with complex neurological disorders who need highly specialized support to be successful at camp. Located on beautiful Sparrow Lake in the Muskoka region of Ontario, Camp Winston provides inspiriting recreation opportunities to children with disabilities.

Quests Camp Thunderbird - Camps for Disabled - Florida
Since 1969, Quest’s Camp Thunderbird has been dedicated to providing a real summer camp experience for people with special needs. Each summer, nearly 400 campers of all ages have the time of their lives participating in Camp Thunderbird’s variety of fun activities.

Camp Oakhurst - Camps for Disabled - New York
Camp Oakhurst operated by the New York Service for the Handicapped serves children and adults with physical disabilities. Camp Oakhurst gives campers with disabilities a fun-filled summer vacation in a place where it's easy to participate in activities, make friends, feel accepted, and gain independence.

Camp Summit - Camps for Disabled - Dallas Texas
The mission of Camp Summit is to provide barrier-free outdoor experiences that promote personal growth and foster independence for children and adults with disabilities.