Believe it or not, despite the subzero January temperatures, summer is a few short months away! Summer camps can be a wonderful place for your child to experience something new in a safe and supported environment. Summer camps give children more opportunities to increase confidence, encourage independence, develop friendships and build relationships. We recommend researching summer camps now as registration and enrollment has already begun- or will begin very soon! Below is a list of some of our favorite camps that have come highly recommended. If any of you have experienced a great summer camp for your child, please let us know! We would love to add it to our list!
1. PALS Programs. PALS mission is to create inclusive camp experiences for individuals with and without Down Syndrome. PALS offers several overnight inclusive weeklong camp programs on university campuses. The PALS Summer 2026 application is now open. https://www.palsprograms.org/
2. Camp Chi. Camp Chi is an overnight summer camp located in Lake Delton, Wisconsin. It’s inclusion program pairs campers with trained inclusion staff through sophomore year of high school; campers stay in cabins with their typical peers with dedicated staff. https://campchi.jccchicago.org/
3. Keshet Summer Camps. Keshet summer camps provide work-related activities with camp recreation for those entering their junior year of high school or later. Work assignments and job coaches are assigned based on a participant’s interests and abilities. There’s plenty of time for fun with daily swimming, fitness, campfires, sports, and more. Registration for Summer 2026 is now open. https://keshet.org/our-programs/camps/
4. One in a Hundred. One in a Hundred is a social thinking day camp with a small, supportive community setting which takes place in Northbrook, Illinois. Campers are bright, creative individuals who have difficulty connecting with their peers and navigating their way in social situations. https://oneinahundredprogram.com/
5. SOAR. For over 45 years, SOAR Summer Camps have provided outdoor adventure activities for children with ADHD and Learning Disabilities for ages 8 to 25. There are over 20 summer options; SOAR camps are currently located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, the Florida Keys, and Wyoming. https://soarnc.org/
6. Summit Camp & Travel. Summit has a long history of providing therapeutic recreational programs for individuals that have social and emotional learning challenges. Participants have diagnoses such as ADHD, Learning Differences, ASD, Tourette’s, Mood Disorders, and other neurological challenges that have affected their ability to find lasting friendships. https://summitcamp.com/
7. Camp SOAR. (Different from #3 Above!) Camp SOAR (“Special Outdoor Adaptive Recreation”) is an overnight summer camp for children with developmental & intellectual disabilities from ages 7-19. Campers are partnered one-to-one with a dedicated volunteer counselor. Information regarding registration and camp dates can be found at https://childrensresearchtriangle.org/camp-soar/
8. Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (“WDSRA”) Summer Camps. [Check your local park districts and special recreation associations for programs closest to you] WDSRA provides community-based social and recreational programs for individuals of all ages with special needs. WDSRA Summer camps are designed similar to park district programming and include camps for athletics, adapted sports, music, dance, Special Olympics, social clubs, theater, etc. The 2026 Summer Camp Brochure has not yet been posted on their website; it is usually posted in early March with registration opening in mid-March. https://www.wdsra.com/wdsra-programs/camps/
9. Willow Friends Productions. Willow Friends is an inclusive ministry for children with intellectual disabilities and their peers. Each year during the summer, this ministry puts on a full musical starring kids with intellectual disabilities and their peer mentors. In 2025, Willow Friends put on Aladdin Jr.! https://www.willowcreek.org/locations/south-barrington/willow-friends-production/