Special Camps for Kids

Summer camp has almost always been a rite of passage for millions of U.S. kids. But for young ones with disabilities, camp could be a serious drag. Or worse, not even an option available to them ... until recently, that is.

Specialized camps for special needs kids have been popping up throughout the country at warp speed. Consider Camp Twitch and Shout for kids with Tourette’s Syndrome, Camp I-Thonka Chi for kids with traumatic burns and Adventure Amputee Camp for, well, you can probably guess. Their programs allow kids to have a camp experience modified for their needs and offer an invaluable chance to bond with kids who share the same issues and struggles.

When ABC News asked one boy what he liked best about Adventure Amputee Camp he replied, “No one is staring, asking what’s wrong with you or criticizing your faults.”

Seventeen percent of all accredited summer camps offer programs for kids with special needs, a figure that has grown 4.4 percent since 2001, according to American Camp Association CEO Peg Smith. Also, don’t think for a minute that any of these camps are for sissies. For instance, Adventure Amputee Camp activities include white-water rafting, water skiing, high ropes courses, tennis, bike riding and more.

Most camps don’t dwell on the disabilities themselves — clearly the kids are aware of their issues — but camp directors say kids and counselors support and learn from one another by simply spending time together.

“Half our volunteers have Tourette’s and so these kids see the adults who are successful in life and good people and learn that they can do it too,” said Brad Cohen, Camp Twitch and Shout Co-Director Brad Cohen. “Or they’ll see other kids and say, ‘Oh wow, I have that tic too. I didn’t know you had it!"

Forming friendships, learning new skills, having fun. That’s exactly what any summer camp experience should do.

Photo courtesy of Peter Blanchard via Flickr