Which Special Needs Camp will suit Kids this Summer? (2024)

This Summer, be sure to give your child an experience they won’t forget

Special Needs Camps for Kids in Plano and throughout Collin County include camps for kids with developmental disabilities, chronic illnesses, physical disabilities, & other needs.

Every Summer Camp for children in this list has trained professionals and volunteers with a unique understanding of all types of Special Needs and can provide Special Education for high-functioning, Autistic Kids and Special Needs Camp sessions for every type of Special Needs Child in the DFW area and North Texas.

For all types of Kids with Special Needs, giving your Kids a Camp Experience and a break over the Summer helps them develop social skills with a variety of types of Summer programs.

More: Our full Summer Camp Guide

North Texas Performing Arts

These camps are designed for youth and adults with disabilities to learn the fundamentals of putting on a theatrical production. Under the direction of therapeutically minded staff, campers will create stories, develop characters, create set pieces, and put together a short theatrical production.

Each camp has a specific theme and will end with a performance showcase for families to watch. The showcase will be the last half hour on the last day of camp.

Plano

June 3-6, 1:00-4:00 PM – Under the Sea
June 17-20, 1:00-4:00 PM – The Wizarding World
July 22-25, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM – Christmas in July

Fairview

June 10-13, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM – Starcatchers in Space

Frisco

July 1-4, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM – Princesses and Knights
July 22-25, 1:00-4:00 PM – A Whole New World

Dallas

July 8-11, 1:00-4:00 PM – Summer of Superheroes

Also offering Deaf Theatre Camp – open to Deaf students and their siblings grades 1-12. Full and partial scholarships are available, as well!

Campers will participate in musical-themed activities.

Campers need to bring a sack lunch/snacks, a water bottle, and their hearing technology. Please wear closed-toed shoes and clothes that are easy to move in!

Communication during the camp will be conducted using both oral and sign modalities.

Full or partialscholarshipsare available.

Upcoming Camps

July 17-21, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM – at Willow Bend Center of the Arts (Plano)
July 24-28, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM – at NTPA Southlake

Plano Parks & Recreation Adapted Recreation Program

Operated by the City of Plano and the Plano Parks & Recreation Department, their Adapted Recreation Programming offers some great Summer options.

They provide a variety of activities such as; fitness, crafts and fine arts, education, outings, and a variety of other programs that meet the needs of children and teens with disabilities

Heroes DFW

An organization based in Richardson, TX, they offer year-round support and resources for local families

H.E.R.O.E.S. began during the summer of 2005.

A group of special education teachers and parents saw the need for a program that would allow their students to go into the community to learn valuable life skills in a safe, fun, and loving environment. Providing Lifelong Learning Through Community Experiences

H.E.R.O.E.S. strives to create social, recreational, and vocational programs designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with disabilities.​H.E.R.O.E.S. strongly encourages the integration of all individuals into their community by providing social models, communication, and emotional and behavioral support.

H.E.R.O.E.S. staff is composed of certified educators, certified instructional assistants, college interns, licensed therapists, and trained volunteers.

Summer Camps starting June 17.

“Heroes has transformed my life and Ewan’s life! No amount of words will ever express the gratitude I have for this amazing program. Ewan has gained so much independence and has such pride in being a part of heroes.

We count down the days to summer camp!

Every time we drive past the church Ewan gets so excited and cheers “HEROES camp! I go there.”
It’s so awesome! He also recognizes fellow campers and councilors in the community. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication!
– Melanie Papier.

Champions Special Ministries

Programs/ activities are adapted to promote inclusion and full participation for every Camper present. Campers are paired with local, 1-on-1 volunteers (i.e. “coaches”) for the entire week of Camp to ensure that they receive support and fellowship and it is facilitated by highly trained Champions leadership and staff, who monitor needs and promote a spirit of discipleship.

This is a faith-based Camp. Medical professionals are present at all times during Camp hours.

Our summer day camps provide our Champions (campers) with a fun and engaging day camp experience where they will participate in traditional camp activities such as crafts, sports, water day, devotionals, music, and parties, and where they can make long-lasting relationships. Camp is available for anyone ages 6 and up.

Camp Interact & Summer Speech Camp

Based in Richardson, TX, Camp Interact is a therapeutic day camp for children finishing 1st grade to 5th grades with social difficulties.

Children may have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder/Asperger’s, ADHD, nonverbal learning disorder, and/or mild language impairments.

When: July 29 – Aug 2, 9 am – 3 pm

Cost:$500 + $75 nonrefundable enrollment fee

Summer Language Camp is a program for kids to work on receptive and expressive language skills and reading comprehension in a fun environment. The camp is for children ages 6 to 12 years old. Our mission is to provide a fun learning environment and to build children’s language skills through literacy-based activities.

Large group activities each day will focus on listening comprehension, narrative development, executive skills, and vocabulary-building in the context of shared reading interactions and curriculum-related activities. Two 30-minute therapy sessions each day will focus on children’s selected language goals with a clinician.

Mondays and Wednesdays, June 3 – July 10, 2024, 9 am – 11:30 am.

Ages 6-12

Cost:$700 + $75 nonrefundable enrollment fee

The beloved week-long Summer Listening Camp gives children who have hearing loss and wear cochlear implants or hearing aids an opportunity to receive listening and speech-language therapy while participating in fun camp activities.

Summer Listening Camp serves children ages 4 to 11.

Audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and graduate students provide listening and speech-language therapy that is tailored to each child’s individual goals. Therapy is woven throughout each activity including rock wall climbing, fishing, music and dance, arts and crafts, and water play.

When:July 29 – August 2, 9 am – 3 pm (Monday – Thursday), 9 am – 2 pm (Friday)

Where:Cross Creek Ranch, 3406 Dublin Road, Parker, TX 75002

Cost:$350 + $75 nonrefundable enrollment fee

Summer Reading Camp is a small group program for kids who are having trouble learning to read. No formal reading disorder diagnosis is needed. This is not a program for children with complex language or speech disorders as it will only target decoding and encoding skill.

When:Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 4 – July 11, 2024

Ages 6-10

Cost:$700 tuition + $75 enrollment fee

Texas Lion Camp

This week-long camp caters to Kids with Physical Disabilities, Downs Syndrome and Type-1 Diabetes aged 7-15, with specialist staff, and medical support on hand as needed, to reassure the loved ones and family members.

The camp mainstreams all kids based on age and gender, rather than their disability.

Kids will be able to try:

• Archery
• Barnyard Green-thumb
• Arts & Crafts
• Swimming
• Drama
• Horses
• Ropes Course
• Recreation & Athletics
• Music
• Fishing
• Paddle boating & Canoeing

The Sleepaway camp is located in Hill County at Kerrville, Texas.

Camp Summit

Camp Summit is a one-of-a-kind camp for individuals with disabilities where the emphasis is on the campers’ abilities rather than their disabilities.

Traditional camp activities are adapted to each individual and are provided in our barrier-free facilities and implemented by trained, caring staff.

Their campers are grouped by age, providing the opportunity to make friends within peer groups while having fun and experiencing new adventures.

Camp Summit is located in Paradise, Texas, just north of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex on 460 acres of land.

Their goal is to help children and adults with disabilities reach their peak by providing recreational, therapeutic, and social activities in an authentic, natural camp setting. The benefits of our camping program are endless!

Campers are encouraged to try new experiences to gain self-confidence, increase personal independence, and learn cooperation.

At Camp Summit, they never turn away a camper due to the severity of a disability, or an inability to pay.

Campers may be: Physically Challenged(cerebral palsy, spina bifida, paralysis, etc.), Developmentally Delayed (Down syndrome, autism, intellectual disabilities, etc.) or be Dual-Sensory Impaired (deafblind)

Ages 6-99 (with no upper age limit)

It’s a Sensory World

They welcome children of all abilities, ages 2 and up. Campers will be placed in groups based on developmental level, needs, interests, and talents. Camp times will vary throughout the year.

Camps are held 9am – 4pm, Monday to Friday. They have a ½ day option for Pre-School age.

Maintain and Learn New Skills

Art, Music, Field Trips, Special Activities, Sensory Gym time, Outdoor play, New Friends, and Small Ratios.

June 3 – August 2

Charis Hills

Located in the North Texas Hill Country area, Charis Hills is a Christian Summer Camp that offers kids with learning differences and social difficulties—those with ADD, ADHD, high-functioning Autism, Asperger’s disorder, and other special needs—an opportunity to come to a place of acceptance.

They provide a positive camp experience while sharing the good news about Jesus Christ. During the camp experience, they focus on learning about Christ, improving social skills, boosting self esteem and confidence, and helping kids understand that their differences are neither uncommon nor debilitating.

They play with purpose: they give kids access to traditional camp activities, combine recreation with learning, and help kids find greater success and fun in daily life.

June 9 – July 27

Ages: 7 – 18+

$1,850

Sound Starts Music Therapy

Music Therapy is designed to address developmental needs such as Communication Skills, social skills, academics, behavior, and emotional regulation.

They offer Music-based Summer Camps for Kids in Frisco, TX.

June 10 – August 2.

Monday – Friday 9 am – 12 pm.

$327 includes snacks, crafts, music, and more.

Seek Camp

SEEK Campis a non-denominational Christian camp experience sponsored by the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Camps are hosted at the Bridgeport Camp and Conference Center in Bridgeport, TX on Lake Bridgeport as well as the Prothro Conference Center in Pottsboro, TX on Lake Texoma.

All of their camps are designed to accommodate the special needs of our campers. Each camper is encouraged and assisted by their counselor to participate in the camp community.SEEK Campexperiences are available beginning at 9 years of age through adulthood.”

SEEK Campis a unique opportunity for campers who are physically and/or mentally challenged to learn about love, friendship, sharing, caring, and living in a Christian community.

The Behavior Exchange

Summer Camp at The Behavior Exchange includes all the fun, highly individualized ABA therapy they
offer all year round, but in a concentrated, 10-week format that spans the summer. B.E.E.S. (Behavior
Exchange Early Start), One-on-One Therapy, Social Skills Group, and more are available in the
summer, along with special themes every two weeks and special activities that help make happy
campers out of everyone.

Special Strong – 8 Week Indoor Summer Program

For ages 7+ with special needs!

There will be relay races, fun strength exercises, dance parties, socialization, games, puzzles, and more! We will even have themed workouts that include a superhero theme, an 80’s workout theme, and many other fun themes!

If you didn’t know your child could get stronger, burn calories, and have fun at the same time … now is the time to experience Special Strong!

We hope this Guide is useful to you. Please ensure to check directly with Camp providers for the most up to date and accurate information.

Some of these may offer Exclusive Offers too! Check our full Summer Guide for more information