Summer Fun and Camps for kids with Autism

Once the school year is over, many families with children on the autism spectrum are stumped. Even if your child qualifies for Extended School Year programs, those programs are limited in length and unlikely to include fun recreational activities.

Luckily, quite a few camps cater to kids with autism. Less luckily, many of the camps listed in the directories listed below are quite expensive. To find day camps and/or less expensive options, check your local camp listings and fairs, and be sure to contact your local YMCA and/or Jewish Community Center (JCC).

• Federation for Children with Special Needs (Northeastern United States)

The Federation for Children with Special Needs has collected a set of linked camp listings for various disorders. While there is a set of camps that are specifically for kids with autism, it's worthwhile reviewing those that cater to kids with learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and other issues that might overlap your child's specific areas of challenge.

• OASIS Camp Listings for Kids with Asperger Syndrome

OASIS is a comprehensive website for Asperger Syndrome, and their camp listings are fairly extensive. Be aware that they do skew toward programs that are appropriate for higher functioning kids. 

Autism Summer Camp

www.summitcamp.com

Summer Camp for children with mild emotional concerns. Ages 7-17

• Easter Seals Summer Camps

Easter Seals provides summer camps and recreational programs for children and adults of all abilities. These programs are geared solely to people with special needs, which means they are not inclusive. 

• The Center for Children with Special Needs (Northwest United States)

Search by type of camp and type of disability to find the right match for your child. These camps are largely in the state of Washington or nearby. 

• Very Special Camps

Very Special Camps is a website dedicated entirely to listings of special needs camps. They list several dozen camps around the country that are specifically dedicated to kids on the autism spectrum. 

• YMCA Camps

YMCA camps are not specifically geared to special needs, but most will work hard to find a way to include your child. If you're more interested in day camp than residential camp, contact your local YMCA. If you have both typically developing and autistic kids, both can attend a Y camp -- and, even better, both you and your kids can take part in year-round Y activities. 

• Kids' Camps Directory: Camps for Kids with Autism/Aspergers

This is another general camp directory, but it includes an impressive collection of camps and programs specifically geared to kids on the autism spectrum. Search by state. 

• Jewish Community Center (JCC) Camps

Like the YMCA, the JCC strives to include people of all abilities in its programs. Some JCC camps (like the one in Medford, N.J.) have terrific support for inclusion. Others are more than willing to admit your child with a 1:1 aide. And some will work with you to include your child without special support.  While JCC camps are nominally Jewish, all are open to youngsters from any religious background. To find a local JCC camp, call your local JCC. 

• Wilderness Inquiry Family and Youth Programs

I've never experienced this organization's special needs family wilderness programs, but gave them a call and found that they are knowledgeable about and accommodating to the needs of autistic people. Accommodations include picture boards and visual supports, special menu planning, and up-front interviews with families to ensure that all needs are met.

The following is a list of camps that might be beneficial to your child if he/she has autism.

4-H Camp Bristol Hills

Abenaki-Mascoma Day Camp

Abington Parks and Recreation Department

AccesSport America

ADA Camp Carefree

Adaptive Sports Center

Adventurelore Programs

Adventure Zone Inc.

Agassiz Village

Aspire Summer Camp

Bear Hill 4H Camp

Berkshire Hills Music Academy Summer Program

Berwick Boys Foundation

Boys Scouts of America

Breezy Hill Farm

Bridgewater Recreation Commission

Camp Agassiz

Camp Allen

Camp An-Se-Ox

Camp Aspetuck

Camp Barrington

Camp Burgess & Hayward

Camp Calumet

Camp Candlewood

Camp CaPella Inc.

Camp Carlson

Camp Cedar Hill

Camp Chickami

Camp Clark

Camp Common Ground

Camp Communicate

Camp Coniston, Inc.

Camp Connolly

Camp Discovery

Camp Echo Bridge

Camp Edith Read

Camp Emerson

Camp Encore Coda

Camp Farley

Camp Farnsworth

Camp Fatima

Camp Favorite

Camp Fire USA, Eastern Massachusetts Council

Camp Frank A Day

Camp Habonim

Camp Half Moon

Camp Harkness

Camp Harrington

Camp HASC

Camp Horizons, Inc.

Camp Howe, Inc.

Camp Huntington

Camp Jabberwocky

Camp Jewell YMCA

Camp Joy

Camp Kaleidoscope

Camp Katoya

Camp Kee-wanee

Camp Laurel

Camp Lawrence

Camp Lawroweld

Camp Lewis Perkins

Camp Lincoln

Camp Marshall

Camp Massapoag

Camp Massasoit

Camp Maude Eaton

Camp Mechuwana

Camp Merrie-Woodv

Camp Nokomis

Camp Northwood

Camp Otter

Camp Pattagansett

Camp Pennacook

General Disability Cont'd

 

Camp Pikati

Camp Pine Cone

Camp Polliwog

Camp Putnam

Camp Ramapo

Camp Rice Moody

Camp Runels

Camp S.T.A.R. (Supporting Therapeutic & Accessible Recreation)

Camp Sangamon

Camp Satucket

Camp STAR

Camp Susan Curtis

Camp Thorpe

Camp Timber Trails

Camp Timbercrest

Camp Triumph

Camp Twin Hills

Camp Virginia

Camp Wapanacki

Camp Watchaug

Camp Waziyatah

Camp Wee-Kan-Tu

Camp West Woods

Camp Wind in-the-Pines Girl Scout Camp

Camp Winnetaska

Camp Woodhaven

Camp Yomechas

Center Church Camp Asto Wamah

Clover Patch Camp

Duxbury Bay Maritime School/AccessSail

Easter Seals Camp Hemlocks

Easter Seals Summer Camps

Exploration Summer Program

Grotonwood General

Gresh Academy West Hills Day Camp

Harbor Explorers at Piers Park Sailing Center

Harbor Hills Day Camp

Hillside School Summer Term

Inly School Day Camp

Kettleford Day Camp

Lions Camp Pride

Madden Open Hearts Camp

Maplewood Country Day Camp

Mascoma Day Camp

Med O Lark

Newton Therapeutic Recreation Program

Nobles Day Camp

Oceanwood

Onyahsa

Outdoor Explorations

Outward Bound U.S.A.

Pequossett Summer Program

Performing Arts Center of Metrowest

Pinewoods Dance Camp

Playball Baseball Camp

Polliwog Creative Arts Camp

Ponkapoag Outdoor Camp

Raynham Parks and Recreation Department

Rolling Ridge

Roxbury YMCA

Search Beyond Adventures

Seawood Day Camp

Seeds of Peace

Somerville YMCA

South Shore YMCA Camps

Student Hostelling Program, Inc.

Summer Camp Hale Reservation

Summer Youth Sailing Program

Techgirlz

The Bridge Center Summer Camps

The Drama Play Connection

The Giving Camp

The Guided Tour, Inc.

The Paul Center for Learning and Recreation

The Summer Camp, Inc.

Tiny Tadpoles

UNH 4H Camps

Universal Access Program

Variety Club Camp and Developmental Center

West Suburban YMCA

Whispering Pines Day Camp

Windsor Mountain Summer Camp-Deaf Plus

YWCA

[back to category list]

HIV/AIDS

 

Camp Amerikids

Intellectual Disabilities

Camp Akeela

Camp Bar Tovi

Camp Chazak

Camp Huntington

Camp Lee Mar

Camp Little Notch

Camp Pinecrest

Camp Tova

Confidence Connection

Confidence is Cool Summer Camp

Katy Isaacson Elaine Gordon Lodge

Neil Klatskin Day Camp

Pine Tree Camp

Sprout, Inc.

The Charles River Center

Variety Club Camp and Developmental Center

Wediko New Hampshire Summer Program

Learning Disabilities

Camp Huntington

Camp Lee Mar

Camp Maple Leaf

Camp Sequoia

Camp Shriver at Umass

Camp Starfish

Confidence Connection

Eagle Hill Summer Program

Landmark School Summer Program

Linden Hill Summer Program

Ramapo Anchorage CampRiverview Summer Program

SOAR

Summer@Carroll

The Learning Camp

The Summit Camp

Wediko New Hampshire Summer Program

Fun Activities for Children with Autism

I have found a few suggestions for fun ideas and activities for children with autism.

Craft activities are fun for everyone, but for children on the autism spectrum, the opportunity to explore color, shape, and sensory experiences can stimulate attention, foster calm, and create loads of fun! Here are 10 activities that teachers and parents love to do with their special needs children.

1. Create a Shredded Flower Bouquet. Who knew shredded paper could be so beautiful? This creative activity involves ripping and shredding paper to create a colorful composition that makes for a great gift or decoration. Kids with special needs will especially love the sensory experience of handling paper and manipulating colors and shapes! Go

2. Underwater I Spy Alphabet Bottle. Sparkly, glittery water is sure to attract curious eyes! This alphabet bottle is fun to make and a great activity to keep your child engaged and focused. The craft helps kids recognize letters in a creative way while enjoying the beautiful shine and sparkle of floating sequins! Go

3. Paint with Ice. Kids love to swirl the melting paint over paper, creating beautiful designs. They'll practice their color recognition and observation skills while observing paint go from a liquid state to a solid state, then back to liquid again! Go

4. Explore the Senses with a Sensory Table. A sensory table is a place designed for squishing, sifting, sorting, digging and pouring! Children will relish the opportunity to get messy, discover, and play freely with engaging their sense of touch, hearing sight. 

5. Practice Paint Chip Storytelling. Telling a story is like painting a picture, using words instead of paint. In this imaginative activity, your child uses paint chips and words to tell a story! Alter the activity according to the level of your child, and you can spark his imagination and narrative abilities while having a colorful good time! 

6. Play the Matching Halves Game. This matching activity is a great way to introduce children to the concept of puzzles, and to satisfy many special needs kids who crave order and simplicity. Each craft stick will have only half a shape: find the stick with the missing half and place the sticks side by side to complete each one! 

7. Sculpt Clay Snowflakes. You don't have to brave the chill to enjoy the beauty of winter. Make sparkly snowflake sculptures and experience winter from the comfort and warmth of your home! Sculpting clay is a great way to boost fine motor skills, and kids with special needs will love the sensory experience of squishing, pulling and kneading as they work. 

8. Set Up a Smelling Station. With the help of some small containers, rubber bands, scraps of fabric and lots and lots of fragrant ingredients, your child can create a whole collection of smells to tease his nose. Smell is one of the five senses, and kids will love learning about what role it plays while exploring the breathing and relaxation associated with good scents. 

9. Oobleck Science: Solid or Liquid? Can something be solid and liquid at the same time? Experiment with this classic science activity that introduces kids to the mysteries of states of matter. Children will love the sensory experience of squeezing and splashing that comes with this gooey scientific investigation! 

10. Make Number Rubbings. Kids love using crayons for just about everything. Put this art streak to good use by introducing them to “rubbings.” They'll work the small muscles in their hands and improve eye-hand coordination. Plus, they'll experiment with different surfaces while practicing shapes and numbers

Adam is always fascinated with Science.  Especially non Newtonian liquids that become solid when force is applied.  An exciting experiment that we do is as follows:  

Non-Newtonian Cornstarch Recipe 

Make your own ooey, gooey glop that is guaranteed to produce a room full of ooohs & ahhhs! Using only cornstarch and water, this amazing mixture behaves like a solid and a liquid at the same time. By the end of the activity, you will have your hands on, in, and all over this wonderful solid-liquid-like mess. 

EXPERIMENT

Pour approximately 1/4 of the box of cornstarch into the mixing bowl and slowly add about 1/2 cup of water. Stir. Sometimes it is easier to mix the cornstarch and water with your bare hands-- of course, this only adds to the fun.

Continue adding cornstarch and water in small amounts until you get a mixture that has the consistency of honey. It may take a little work to get the consistency just right, but you will eventually end up mixing one box of cornstarch with roughly 1 to 2 cups of water. Notice that the mixture gets thicker or more viscous as you add more cornstarch.

Pour the mixture onto the cookie sheet or cake pan. Notice its unusual consistency when you pour it into the pan. Stir it around with your finger, first slowly and then as fast as you can.

Skim your finger across the top of the glop. What do you notice?

Sink your entire hand into the glop and try to grab the fluid and pull it up.

Try to roll the fluid between your palms to make a ball.

You can even hold your hand flat over the top of the pan and slap the liquid glop as hard as you can. Most students will run for cover as you get ready to slap the liquid, fearing that it will splash everywhere. Fear not, all of the glop stays in the pan...hopefully. If your mixture inadvertently splatters everywhere, you will know to add more cornstarch.

As your students play with the glop, ask them to speculate as to why the liquid behaves in this manner. What causes it to feel like something solid when you squeeze it, yet flow like syrup as it drips off your finger? When you are finished, pour the glop into a large zipper-lock plastic bag for later use.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

How does glop act like a solid sometimes and a liquid at other times?

Actually, glop is an example of what is called a Non-Newtonian fluid - a fluid that defies Isaac Newton's law of viscosity. All fluids have a property known as viscosity. It is the measurable thickness or resistance to flow in a fluid. Honey and ketchup are liquids that have a high resistance to flow. When I think of viscosity, I always remember the television commercial of the child who is patiently waiting for the ketchup to flow out of the bottle and onto the hamburger bun. Be thankful that the viscosity of ketchup is greater than that of water the next time you are sitting across the table from somebody who is pounding on the bottom of the ketchup bottle.

Newton stated that the viscosity of a fluid can be changed only by altering the fluid's temperature. For example, motor oil or honey flows more easily when you warm it up and becomes very thick when it gets cold. So, a Non-Newtonian fluid has the same dependence on temperature, but its viscosity can be changed by applying pressure. When you squeeze a handful of glop, its viscosity increases so it acts like a solid for a split second. When you release pressure, the glop behaves just like a liquid.

Ironically, the cornstarch will not stay mixed with the water indefinitely. Over time, the grains of cornstarch will separate from the water and form a solid clump at the bottom of the plastic storage bag. It is for this reason that you must not pour this mixture down the drain. It will clog the pipes and stop up the drain. Pour the mixture into a zipper-lock bag and dispose of it in the garbage.