We're gathering parent picks for the best summer camps for kids with special needs near Boston!

If you're looking for camps for a child with autism, ADHD or other developmental, learning or physical special needs, we hope you'll find the perfect fit for your family on this list. These favorites welcome kids with all abilities to have summer fun while building independence, social skills and friendships.

Have personal experience with any of these summer camps for special needs near Boston? Please comment with your review! Have another gem to add to the list? Post a new recommendation to tell us about it.


 
    Camp Howe - ECHO Program

     (400.7 mi)

    1 & 2 Week Sessions

    Day & Overnight Camps

    $495-$1400/session

    7-17 years

    Tracy Snyder Molina:  The Echo Program at Camp Howe is an inclusive program that integrates campers with both physical and developmental disabilities into every aspect of the camp program from cabin living to every activity. Just a few of the activities that take place during a camp session include canoeing, cultural and environmental awareness, team building, swim lessons, farm life, dance, high and low challenge courses and fun arts & crafts.

    The Barton Center for Diabetes Education - Clara Barton and Camp Joslin

     (442.3 mi)

    1 & 2 Week Sessions

    Overnight Camp

    $1,350-$2,585/session

    6-16 years

    Tracy Snyder Molina:  Clara Barton Camp and Camp Joslin are overnight camps geared for girls and boys respectively living with Type 1 diabetes. Daily activities include sports, swimming, arts & crafts, talent shows, hiking, campfires, co-ed dances, boating and more. Diabetes education is an integral part of the program. The camp staff also includes a 24-hour health care team.

    Reed Academy - Extended School Year

     (474.0 mi)

    6 Week Session

    Full Day Camp

    Boys, 7-14 years

    Tracy Snyder Molina:  Reed Academy offers a six-week ESY program for boys with social and or emotional needs. The program combines typical summer camp activities such as swimming, fishing, sports, music, and arts & crafts along with group therapy sessions, and therapeutic esteem-building.

    Camp Casco

     (483.7 mi)

    One Week Sessions

    Full Day & Overnight Camps

    Free

    Day Camp: 5-10 years

    Overnight Camp: 7-17 years

    Tracy Snyder Molina:  Camp Casco is a place for kids who have been diagnosed with cancer and their siblings to experience the magic of summer camp with caring and compassionate counselors as well as supervision from a professional medical team. Each week of camp has a special theme and theme days that inspire the daily programming. Some of the camp traditions that take place each year are the talent show, egg roulette, water fight and lights out lunch as well as the camp dance and campfires at Overnight Camp.

    MGH Aspire Summer Adventure Camp

     (485.3 mi)

    6 Week Session

    Half & Full Day Camps

    5-13 years

    Tracy Snyder Molina:  MGH Aspire’s Summer Adventure Camp is designed for children and teens with high cognitive autism spectrum disorder or a related profile. Campers are placed into small, well-staffed groups and participate in a variety of camp activities such as arts & crafts, boating, swimming, nature exploration, hiking, cooking, games and drama.

    Camp Shriver

     (489.5 mi)

    4 Week Session

    Full Day Camp

    No cost

    8-12 years

    Tracy Snyder Molina:  Camp Shriver welcomes kids with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities from low-income families in the Boston area to their inclusive summer sports camp. Camp Shriver serves an equal number of children with and without disabilities so that all children can play, learn and interact in meaningful ways with their peers—no matter what their disability status. Each day offers instruction in sports such as soccer, swimming and basketball, arts & crafts and provides free breakfast, lunch, snacks, transportation, and camp gear.

    The Bridge Center Summer Camp

     (490.4 mi)

    1 & 3 Week Sessions

    Full Day Camps

    $650-$2,100/session

    4-22 years

    Tracy Snyder Molina:  Set on over 20 acres of open space, this fully accessible campus offers camps for children of all abilities, including campers with ASD, developmental disabilities, social and emotional disabilities, neuromuscular disabilities, and other disorders, regardless of the severity. Traditional and non-traditional camp activities can include: swimming, archery, horseback riding, equine-assisted therapy programs, sports and music, and much more. This is an inclusion camp for children with and without disabilities.

    Camp Echo Bridge

     (490.5 mi)

    One Week Sessions

    Full Day Camp

    6-21 years

    Tracy Snyder Molina:  This summer camp offers an exciting summer program that welcomes campers with disabilities and their siblings. Programming aims to bolster independence and life skills, foster friendships and prevent academic regression over the summer months. Enjoy swimming, field trips, and special theme days. Other weekly activities include sports, games, theater, music, nature, math and language arts.

    Daybreak Day Camp

     (495.1 mi)

    Full Day Camp

    Sliding scale fee

    5-12 years

    Tracy Snyder Molina:   Daybreak Day Camp allows children who need a smaller program and extra support to enjoy a successful summer camp experience. Campers can enjoy field trips, along with on-site activities including visiting performer workshops, crafts, biking, sports, multicultural events and structured choice times. The diverse and supportive group provides many learning opportunities as well as fostering friendships. Location may vary. Transportation: Multiple bus stops in Cambridge.

    Camp Baker

     (495.9 mi)

    Six Week Session

    Full Day Camp

    $5,500

    6-12 years

    Tracy Snyder Molina:  Camp Baker is a summer day program that teaches children effective ways to manage ADHD and other behavior issues. This highly structured and supportive program ensures all children are successful as they develop relationships with staff, make new friends and improve sports, social and creative skills. Daily activities include art, sports, games, academic instruction, social skills groups and weekly field trips. Weekly parenting support groups help caregivers learn how to maintain progress made in the program and extend these skills to the home.

    Camp Triumph

     (503.0 mi)

    4 & 8 Week Sessions

    Full Day Camp

    $3,000-$6,000/session

    6-16 years

    Tracy Snyder Molina:  Camp Triumph is therapeutic day camp for kids in Massachusetts. The program offers a supportive and structured environment designed to reduce anxiety, increase physical skills and coordination, learn age-appropriate behavior and more. Campers participate in activities such as swimming, arts & crafts, outdoor adventure, competitive and non-competitive games, team and individual sports as well as therapeutic group activities and behavioral intervention.

Primary photo:   Janko Ferlič on Unsplash

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