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Most children have a preconceived notion that every day of summer should be exciting and adventurous. Children with special needs are no exception. As parents, we feel an obligation to provide our children with memorable summer breaks, without breaking the bank! Determining how to manage that day-to-day challenge can be exhausting for parents of a special needs child, especially when you factor in possible accessibility issues that may arise for children in wheelchairs or with mobility challenges.

Easter Seals Recreation and Sports - Recreation and Sports - Easter Seals offers the nation's largest network of recreation and camping programs for children and adults with disabilities. Accessible grounds and facilities, adapted equipment and trained staff allow participants to accomplish what they may never have thought was possible - like swimming, traversing a river or playing wheelchair tennis. Other programs provide less ambitious - but no less significant - activities that teach everyday living skills, such as planning an outing to a movie or museum. Easter Seals frequently partners with other agencies to provide inclusive activities. Recent collaborations have resulted in a summer picnic, holiday parties, a fitness class, and a fishing expedition.

Adaptive Sports Foundation has been providing services to children and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities. Starting out as the Ski Windham Adaptive Ski Program, Gwen Allard began teaching approximately 20 students with 10 or less volunteer instructors. Since then, the Adaptive Sports Foundation has grown to 1300 student visits a year and a volunteer roster of 200 plus. As the largest adaptive sport program on the East Coast and considered amongst the top adaptive programs in the country, the Adaptive Sports Foundation offers both winter and summer sports to a wide range of special needs children and adults.

Therapy and Respite Camps for kids with Autism and other Special Needs

provides sports and recreation opportunities for youth and adults with physical and visual disabilities. Based in Lake Forest, IL, GLASA offers a wide range of sports and activities both indoors and out, including wheelchair and ambulatory basketball, hand-cycling, kayaking, floor hockey, ice sled hockey, tennis, aerobics, swimming and more. There is also a week long adaptive sports summer camp.