For families with children who have special needs, the approaching summer months can prove to be a daunting obstacle to overcome. The need for childcare, as well as educational bridges between the end of one school year and the beginning of the next, in some instances, creates a burden for families with children who have special needs. Finding high-quality summer camp options for children with special needs is a monumental task for many parents in the Naples area. Because of the varying educational, environmental, and physical needs of children, as well as the limited resources to meet these needs within the community during the summer, it can be hard to find a good fit for many families in Southwest Florida.
Brain Forest Adventure Camp
The Child Provider Specialists Brainforest Adventure Camp is a summer program filled with fun activities, including different weekly themes, field trips, art and science, and enrichment for reading, writing, math, social skills, and executive function skill development. Visit www.childproviderspecialists.org or call 954-577-3396 for more information.
Camp Able
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Marco Island offers children with special needs an overnight camp in July (They also provide a day camp option.) All meals are included, and dormitory-style accommodations are available. Visit www.campable.org or call 239-394-7242.
The City of Naples
The City of Naples offers a summer camp option for children with special needs at River Park. For more information, visit www.naplesgov.com/parksrec call 239-213-3037.
Collier County Parks and Recreation
Collier County Parks and Rec offers inclusion opportunities and summer camps specifically designed for children with special needs. For more information, visit the office at North Collier Regional Park or www.collierparks.com.
Easterseals
Summer adaptive camps will be available on select weeks for ages 15 and up. Weekend inclusive camps will be available select weekends for ages 5 and up. Programming in these camps will include cooking, 3D printing, digital and physical crafting, gaming, explore Naples outings, and musical therapy. Contact Catrina at csanchez@fl.easterseals.com or (239)403-0366. Visit www.easterseals.com/florida for more information.
All Inclusive at Lee County Parks & Recreation
Lee County Parks & Recreation encourages all individuals to participate in the leisure and recreational opportunities of their choice. We welcome people with disabilities into all of our parks, recreation programs and facilities. Comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination of programs, services and activities for individuals with disabilities.
Special Needs/Inclusion programs are being offered throughout the year for individuals with various disabilities. Programs such as Summer Camp, Spring Break Camp, and Fun Days are for school-age participants. The Social Club and Variety are for adults with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities. There are always inclusion opportunities in the various community recreation facilities as well. For more information visit www.leegov.com/parks/programs/special-needs.
Lighthouse of Collier – Center for Vision and Blindness
This non-profit organization offers a summer camp program for children ages 6-13 who are blind and visually impaired. During each week of the camp, the students take part in at least one outing, providing them with opportunities to integrate within the community and practice independent travel techniques. The two weeks then culminate with a final “closing ceremony” to which family members are all invited, and students can present everything they’ve learned throughout the camp. Visit www.lighthouseofcollier.org/summer-camp for more information.
Naples Performing Arts Center
NPAC is a one-stop shop for the performing arts. They offer dance classes for ages 2 and up, private lessons for vocal, instrumental and acting students, and musical theater opportunities for students 6 and up. The I’m a STAR program is one-of-a-kind where anyone with any mental or physical challenges can join and learn to sing, dance, and act. For more information, visit naplesperformingartscenter.com or call 239-325-8789.
Naples Therapeutic Riding Center
Naples Therapeutic Riding Center’s Summer Horsemanship Camp is offered as a weekly inclusion camp during the months of June and July. The camp experience is designed to accommodate children with additional needs and typically developing children.
The Horsemanship Camps are supervised by a PATH Int’l Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. The camp to counselor ratio is approximately 1:1. Campers range in age from four to sixteen years old and are placed in the most appropriate groups based on their age. Visit www.naplestherapeuticridingcenter.org for more information.
The Naples Players
The Inclusive Improve sessions and theatre camps at TNP are for ages 8-12 and another for ages 12+. Designed and taught by professional therapists and teachers, each class is tailored to individuals to ensure proper accommodation, enjoyable classes, and meaningful exercises. This class is designed for students who are on the autism spectrum, have sensory processing disorder, or any other type of neuro-divergency. Students will learn valuable skills like teamwork, patience, sensory awareness, and communication through emotion-oriented, confidence-building theatre games. Visit naplesplayers.org/inclusive-classes for more information.
Summer Programs with Accommodations
Many summer camps make accommodations for children with special needs on a case-by-case basis. For example, at the Greater Naples YMCA, “We do not currently have a camp specifically for children with special needs,” said summer camp coordinator Katie Nelson. “Although we do have children in our traditional day camp who have autism, ADHD, ADD, and other unique needs. My advice to parents is that they reach out to the camp director before they register to see if the camp would be a good fit.” Contact Nelson at 239-571-9023.
The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples is another such camp. “Since C’mon has a commitment to have access for all, we are open to a case-by-case evaluation,” said Beth Housewert, director of play and learning. ”We do not have specifically designed camps for students with special needs, but have staff who specialize in accessibility and instruction for children with special needs.”
MORE RESOURCES
Browse our Summer Camp Directory
Check out the 2024 Neapolitan Family Summer Camp Guide
We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym Parent’s Night Out. Drop off the kids and enjoy a night out.