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 July 12-16. (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 STEAM Adaptive Day Camp is an adaptive Summer Day Camp that specifically services disabilities ages 13-17. Individualized Adaptive Activities include culinary, digital crafting, camera use, photo editing, 3D printing, crafts, virtual reality, and community outings. These adaptive activities will be in a small teacher-to-student ratio setting. For more information, visit www.fl.easterseals.com.
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 is a non-profit horsemanship organization that provides therapeutic riding opportunities for special needs children. This summer, it is offering summer camp for special needs children during June and July. Visit www.naplestherapeuticridingcenter.org for more information.
Stepping Stones Kids Academy
SSKids Academy summer session has fun, creative, and educational activities for children with learning challenges. The camp is for boys and girls ages 5-13. Visit sskidsacademy.com/summersession for more information and to register.
The Naples Players
The Inclusive Improve sessions 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.