By Karen Higman

Sending a child to summer camp can be an exciting yet nerve racking time for most parents, but for the parents of a special needs child, feelings of anxiety can loom especially large. Every child, regardless of his or her challenges, looks forward to a break from the school year routine, and camp is a wonderful escape. There are many options to choose from, but the first question that a parent must answer is whether or not they want their child to attend a mainstream camp with typically developing peers, or a special needs specific program. Second, do you think your child would benefit from a day camp, or is he or she ready for a residential (or overnight) camping experience?

Choosing a Camp
There are excellent camps of all varieties in our area, but as a parent, only you and your doctor can determine which type of setting would be most beneficial for your child. There are several things that you should consider in making your camp selection including the type and degree of your child's need. For example, does he need constant medical attention or can he function independently or with the help of an aide? How much interaction does he have during the school year with typically developing peers or is this his first time in a mainstream environment? The answers to these questions will help you create a picture of what kind of summer camp experience you want for your child.

A rule of thumb is to start slowly and ease into any new situation so that you and your child don't make any dramatic changes the first time around. For example, if your child is interested in attending camp but is expressing some hesitancy, you should opt for a day camp program before committing to an overnight camp, which can be a much larger adjustment for any child. According to Jen Baxter, MSW, President of the Upstate New York Families for Effective Autism Treatment (UNYFEAT) and mother of a child with autism, one reason for selecting a mainstream camp could be your individual family dynamic. "After talking to the parents in our group, it was clear that many of them were excited about sending their typically developing children and their autistic sibling to the same camp. So often, kids with special needs are separated from their sisters and brothers so this could be a great opportunity for the entire family to share in a communal camp experience." Baxter also points out that for children with autism, the opportunity to be around peers who do not share their needs gives rise to a natural process of modeling behavior. "Last summer when our kids were at YMCA Camp Arrowhead in a mainstream program, their aides often pointed to their typically developing peers and said, 'do you see how that child asked to join the game? Do you think you could try to join the game too?' It gave all the campers a chance to learn from, and about, each other."

Laura Osborn from Camp Good Days and Special Times, a residential camp dedicated to children with cancer, points out that there are also positive reasons for choosing a camp that focuses on the particular needs of your child. "For our kids, it is a wonderful relief to be around their peers and families who have a similar experience because they are the only other people in the world who can truly understand what they are going through." Parents may feel more comfortable with their children in a special needs camp because they believe that the staff is more knowledgeable about particular medical needs that might arise, and the camp activities are geared toward the physical, mental, or social parameters facing their child. Special needs camps can be beneficial for children and their parents because they are also more likely to create comfortable options for networking and socializing beyond the summer camp experience.

Every child wants to have fun during summer vacation. With the right planning and preparation on your part, your son or daughter can enjoy a rewarding camp experience.

Karen Higman is the Sr. Vice President of YMCA of Greater Rochester.