Summer camps usually mark the most amazing experience in every child’s life. With the many summer camps available today, it is no surprise that some already cater to special needs. Giving equal opportunities to children and teenagers with disabilities and mental disorders, special needs summer camps were developed in the United States and other parts of the globe.

Perhaps the most famous special needs camps are ones made possible by Paul Newman. He created Hole in the Wall Camps to make it possible for children with life threatening illnesses to enjoy summer camp. Best of all these camps are free so there is no financial barrier to attending. These medically supervised camps are located in Connecticut, New York, Florida, California, North Carolina, Ireland, France, Israel, Italy, and the UK. The Hole in the Wall Camps Association provides programmatic and financial support for these camps. Read the rest of this entry

Did you know that writing was a summer camp activity? Well at some camps it is an activity. Academic summer camps have increased in popularity over the last few decades. Many people are aware of space camps and science camps, but there are also math camps, history camps and writing camps, not to mention computer camps. These specialty academic summer camps approach learning from a different perspective than schools, allowing campers to take a more hands on approach to their favorite subject.

Parents are aware of the sports camps, but dancing as a summer camp activity? Absolutely. There are camps which offer a wide range of arts related activities. Imagine saying my child wrote/directed/starred in a play at camp. Theater arts camps offer this as a summer camp activity. Fine art painting taught by experts, ballet and dance, nature studies are all offered by specialized camps. Read the rest of this entry

Like many adults you may have attended summer camp when you were a child or teenager. Most of us have happy memories of swimming, hiking, canoeing and campfires. After months of school and homework, and a winter of computer games and indoor activities, summer is a great time for kids to get back to basics and get some exercise and low tech fun at a traditional summer camp.

Many families chose to vacation at theme parks and fancy resorts which are great fun, but they don’t offer the same experience that can be had at a good summer camp. Resorts are exciting but lack the physicality and sense of accomplishment offered campers. Today’s children don’t spend enough time outdoors involved in physical activities. A traditional summer camp gives them the opportunity to try new things and stretch physically as well as mentally. Read the rest of this entry

Summer adventure camps or wilderness camps are residential programs geared for youngsters aged 12 to 18. These camps offer a variety of activities and challenges which would not be suitable for younger campers. Some camps even offer excursions outside the United States. There are many summer adventure camps, some are local to a particular area and some offer many locations.

Unlike traditional camps, the activities at adventure camps are edgier. White water rafting or canoeing, mountaineering, desert hiking mountain biking, sailing, wind surfing and other challenging activities are offered. Some camps are open year round. The following three summer adventure camps offer programs nationwide and have excellent reputations for safety. They are either co-ed or offer programs for boys and girls. Read the rest of this entry

After the initial euphoria children feel at the end of the school year, many become bored and restless. Without the daily social interaction of school, they may feel disconnected from friends and peers. Some will spend endless hours watching TV or playing video games, instead of being outdoors. One way to combat the summer blahs for your child is to enroll them in a summer tennis camp.

Tennis is a popular sport among adults and children alike. It provides a great way to stay fit and only requires two players, making it easy to arrange a game. Many people can continue to play tennis into their eighties, making tennis a lifetime sports and fitness activity. Learning to play tennis can be fun and rewarding for your child. Read the rest of this entry

In the United States football is the sport that excites the most passion. Unfortunately not every child is cut out to play football. Many parents are nervous about allowing their child to engage in a full contact sport that can cause serious injuries. In the rest of the world it is soccer that ignites the passion of sports fans. Soccer involves less physical contact than football, and physical size is less of an issue. A great introduction to soccer is a summer soccer camp.

Many public and private schools in the United States now sponsor soccer teams for both boys and girls. Attending a summer soccer camp can prepare children to play on school teams later. Soccer is a faster paced game than football, almost like basketball, and speed and agility counts for more than size and strength. Summer soccer camps hone the skills needed for competitive play. Read the rest of this entry