American Camp Association
ACA offers expert advice from camp professionals on camp selection, readiness, child and youth development, and issues of importance to families. ACA helps you find the right camp for every child.
This directory is a resource to be used to assist you in finding leisure and recreation that best meet your interests and support needs. Once you find a program of interest, please contact the provider to learn more about availability and registration requirements.
Recreation Council’s Tips to Find a Program That’s Right for You
ACA offers expert advice from camp professionals on camp selection, readiness, child and youth development, and issues of importance to families. ACA helps you find the right camp for every child.
A web app providing easy mobile access to summer camps and events in the local area so you can plan your summer around fun activities.
The BIA-MO Donald Danforth Jr. Wilderness Camp is a week-long organized outdoor experience, held in Missouri for persons with a brain injury. During Camp, survivors of brain injury of all abilities have the opportunity to try – and overcome – challenges such as zip-lining, performing in the Talent Show and more. They form friendships with fellow survivors while playing games, listening to music, creating art, enjoying the outdoors, swimming, fishing, target shooting, and paddle boating.
Camp Barnabas is a unique ministry providing Christian camping experiences to individuals with special needs and chronic illnesses, along with their siblings. We pair one youth volunteer with every camper for a high quality experience. Whether you are a camper, or serving as a part of a mission trip, we provide a social experience that increases spiritual knowledge, social learning, and human dignity. We serve youth ages 7 and older and you never age out.
Camp Courage is a 4-day/3-night, all-inclusive summer camping program for adults with special needs, including Down syndrome, birth defects, cognitive delays and high functioning Autism. This program is held each June, in Stewartsville, Missouri.
Camp Encourage provides youth ages 8-18 who have autism with meaningful overnight camp experience in which they build the knowledge, courage, and skills to be empowered participants in the community. Our camp takes place at Tall Oaks Conference Center in Linwood, KS, about one hour west of Kansas City, MO. Each camp session includes both traditional camp activities and activities tailored around the individual campers’ interests. Check our our camp page to see more details.
Campers have fun while playing sports, creating arts and crafts, singing around the campfire, paddling a boat, and making new friends. For many people, this may be their first chance to spend a night away from home. We encourage attendees to be active participants in their own care as well as their continued development of independence. Most importantly, the prescription for camp is fun! We serve youth ages 7-19 and adults 20 and older with sessions divided by age group allowing the staff to provide age-appropriate programming.
Camp Independence Metro Chicago
32405 N. US Highway 12, Ingleside, IL 60041
847-546-8086
YMCA Camp Lakewood is where youth through age 16 come in the summer time to have fun, learn new skills, make new friends, and to simply be a kid. Your camper will forget all about television, video games, and smartphones while discovering the ultimate childhood experience, all within the safe and trusted environment of the Y. Inclusion services are available for youth with disabilities. Contact us for details.
Camp Manitowa Properties host coed overnight summer camps and year round retreats at its two locations in southern Illinois just a couple hours’ drive from St. Louis. We serve campers in 2nd-9th grade from all over the Midwest. During the school year, Camp Manitowa hosts retreats for schools, college student groups, religious groups, scout groups, musicians, men’s and women’s groups, families, weddings, and anyone else wanting to get away for a fun and meaningful camp experience. Camp Manitowa utilizes three different lakes and offers a wide variety of programs and activities for all our participants. We aim to create lasting friendships and personal growth by providing campers with a forum to experience new challenges, enhance self-confidence, develop skills and establish enduring friendships in safe, beautiful surroundings.
Camp MoVal is located on 280 acres that includes beautiful forest, native prairie, streams and a lake. Facilities include a dining and meeting hall, four lakeside cabins, two retreat lodges, two rustic camping villages, high and low ropes courses, a boat and fishing dock, game and archery fields, hiking trails, and more. We offer inclusive youth summer camp, adult special needs camp, and family retreats.
Adventures in Community is a specialized camp week designed for adults ages 18+ with special needs, who are active and can independently care for their needs. Campers participate in most traditional camp activities including swimming, canoeing, crafts, fishing, games, karaoke, and more, as well as exploring our faith. Camp starts at 4pm on Sunday and ends Friday at 9am.
2659 Camp MoVal Rd.
Union MO 68084
www.campmoval.org
636-583-2730
ROEHR stands for Ruling Over Epilepsy Helps Realize Dreams. Camp Roehr is a seven day long residential camp for children and teens with epilepsy and is held at held at YMCA Trout Lodge in Potosi Missouri. We provide campers with activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, tie-dying, kite-making, biking, volleyball, ping pong, mini golf, ziplining, archery, rifle marksmanship, campfires with songs and s’mores, a D.J. dance party, horseback riding, and many other fun activities.
Camp Warburg is a Christian camp located in Illinois that provides one week of specialized overnight camp for youth and adults through our Shepherding Sheep program for persons with developmental disabilities. Shepherding Sheep is a 3-day camp held the week of Memorial Day in May/June. We also offer traditional youth summer overnight camp and work in partnership with organizations such as HIS Kids to serve children struggling with cancer and their siblings.
Run by the Disabled Athlete Sports Association (DASA), Camp WeCanDu provides an opportunity for local youth with physical disabilities to fully participate in a week-long, traditional summer camp experience. Children living with cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, visual impairments, and many other forms of physical disabilities will come together to create a fun and engaging social support system that encourages campers to discover their natural abilities through athletic and sensory activities while instilling family values and promoting independence and self-confidence that will later resonate through all aspects of life.
CHAMP Camp provides a summer camp experience for children and adolescents with tracheostomies and those who require technological respiratory assistance. Our campers enjoy and fully participate in outdoor summer camp activities including swimming, canoeing, climbing and zip lining to encourage independence, confidence, and self-esteem and create memories that last a lifetime.
Cub Creek Science Camp is the only summer camp for kids in the country with a hands-on, interactive zoo. With more than 300 animals and over 100 species, our overnight summer camp is an animal lover’s paradise. No other sleepaway camp can say they are an animal camp, science camp, adventure camp, vet camp, nature camp, while still offering all the traditional summer camp activities such as swimming, fishing, hiking, arts and crafts, ropes course and more. We are a truly unique summer camp experience.
Girl Scouts Council of Greater St. Louis is committed to helping all girls from every background to develop confidence, determination, and skills needed to thirive in today’s world. The Girls Scout programs is based on the Girl Scout Promise and law, and is adapted to meet the developmental, eudcational, emotional, and social needs and interest of firls at five levels of girls ages K-12 grades. All girls in Kindergarten throug 12th grade are encouraged to participate in Girls Scouts. Summer Residential Camp is Available.
Mailing Address: PO Box 209 Jonesburg, MO 63351
Program site: Summit Church, 927 E. Terra Lane, O’Fallon, MO
God can use camp as a life changing experience for everyone which is why we developed this program for adults with developmental disabilities that are high functioning. during this 4-day overnight experience, campers participate in Christian-focused activities including Bible study, worship, swimming, crafts, games, carnival, dance party and a final talent show to end the week. Campers stay in our air-conditioned buildings and be with our trained staff at all times. Vehicles are available for those who are not able to walk our hills.
The St. Louis Jewish Community Center (The J) is a multigenerational gathering place, offering a variety of programs and services for the St. Louis Jewish community and the community at large. We welcome people of all backgrounds and faiths. The J provides educational, cultural, social, Jewish identity-building and recreational programming on its campuses in Creve Coeur, Chesterfield and at Camp Sabra, located at the Lake of the Ozarks.
The J is an inclusive agency that welcomes people of all abilities. We host wonderful weekend friendship and enrichment programs for both children and adults with disabilities. Persons of all abilities may participate in any agency program where a suitable match exists, pending eligibility and the successful procurement of any needed supports. The J remains committed to including all persons, as fully as possible, in all agency programs.
Staenberg Family Complex
2 Millstone Campus Drive
St. Louis, MO 63146
Marilyn Fox Building, Chesterfield
16801 Baxter Road
Chesterfield, MO 63005
Retreat is a safe and accepting Christ-centered camp environment where individuals and families living with disability are cared for, encouraged, and rejuvenated. A loving and trained volunteer attends activities with our campers with special needs while parents, siblings and caregivers attend programming worry free. We also offer year-round support services including family fun nights, marriage enrichment, and parent support groups.
314-773-5664
MO area coordinators:
David Smith, 314.924.3204, dsmith@joniandfriends.org
Kathy Nichols, 314-773-5664, missouri@joniandfriends.org
Camp Little Giant has been offering lifetime memories and experiences since 1952 and is one of the first residential camps of its kind in the nation to offer camping opportunities for people with physical, cognitive and developmental disabilities. Touch of Nature Environmental Center, located near the beautiful Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois, offers a variety of exciting, educational, and adventurous summer camps. Camp Little Giant is an adventure in learning and growth, with the opportunity for campers to establish lasting friendships. Our goal is for campers to increase their confidence and independence, while learning new recreation skills. We serve youth and adults.
Touch of Nature Environmental Center
Southern Illinois University
Mail Code 6888
Carbondale, Illinois 62901
www.ton.siu.edu
Masterpiece Project summer camp is a Christ-centered camp that allows campers to concentrate on one of the following interest areas: drama, music, visual arts or writing. In addition, campers will also be able to explore other media through additional workshops and special presentations by a staff of professional artists. Camp is available at two locations, Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL and Barefoot Republic Camp in Fountain Run, KY.
KVC Missouri’s Meramec Adventure Ranch is located just 90 miles from St. Louis and offers ropes courses, aquatic adventures, camping, climbing, kayaking, biking, team challenges, and more. Our summer camp challenges youth ages 7-18 with mental health challenges and autism to explore the outdoors in an exciting, supportive and safe environment. We also serve wounded veterans and their families, as well as groups looking for challenges, growth, and healing. Expert staff and programming helps participants connect to nature and other people, and experience deep personal healing and transformation. Operated by KVC Health (formerly Great Circle).
Brett Bailey, Director, BBailey@kvc.org or 573-775-5513
1203 Meramec Wilderness Lane
Steelville, Missouri 65565
Annual Family Partnership Parent and Caregiver Retreat is usually held in the fall and is designed to educate and support the needs of families with special needs. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis so register early. Click on “Calendar of Events” for conference information
St. Louis/St. Charles Rep: Pat Fox, 314-409-7915
pat.fox@health.mo.gov
State: PO Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
www,health.mo.gov/living/families
MDA Summer Camp is a magical place where anything is possible — from swimming, to zip-lining and horseback riding to dancing under a disco ball and gaining valuable life skills. Each summer, thousands of kids attend life-changing, overnight camps around the U.S. — at no cost to their families, thanks to our generous supporters.
Qwiz Camp provides middle school and high school students, interested in qwiz bowl, with the knowledge and practice to become a better competitor. Camp includes classes, practices, tournaments and also provides the camp experience, with the opportunity to meet and connect with others who share your passion for the game. You’ll build your skills at Qwiz Camp but you’ll also build friendships that can last a lifetime.
Bradley University (Peoria, IL) 3620 Pelham Rd, Suite 30 Greenville, SC 29615
ScoutsBSA (formerly Boy Scouts of America) proudly serves boys and girls ages 6-20. Youth join a Cub Scout Pack, Scouts-BSA troop, Venture Crew, or Exploring Post designed for their age group and follow the a structured year-round program that develops outdoor skills, service to our community, leadership, and personal skills. A special needs committee at the Council level offers support, leader training, and resources to help your Scout with a disability be more successful.
Sherwood Forest serves children from low-income families and underserved communities in Missouri and Illinois, who live at or below the federal poverty line. We strive to establish and sustain long-term relationships with our campers, their families, and the agencies and schools that serve them. By balancing traditional camp adventures with evidence-based programs that reinforce and support school-year learning, Sherwood Forest connects with, educates, and inspires the youth of St. Louis.
The mission of the Special Education Foundation is to assist children with disabilities served by Special School District in St. Louis County achieve success in areas not supported by tax dollars or United Way. The “Kid-to-Camp” program is one of the Foundation’s most successful programs. Through this program, the Foundation provides financial assistance to parents so their child can attend summer camp.
314-394-7030
jeanine@sef-stl.org
11933 Westline Industrial Drive
St. Louis, MO 63146 – 3203
Adventure awaits on over 60 scenic acres in Dittmer, Missouri. Sunnyhill Adventures offers summer overnight camps for youth and adults of all abilities. Camp is a community where all ages explore nature with activities such as float trips, the alpine tower, climbing and rappelling, swimming, boating, or riding the zip line. Through shared experience, these programs assist people with the formation of new friendships and the nurturing of established relationships. Whether a week or a weekend with Mother Nature, the memories will last a lifetime.
Timber Pointe Outdoor Center provides specialized lodging, staff and programming modified to accommodate kids and adults of all abilities. From day camps, overnight summer camps, partner group camps, and weekend family retreats there’s a camp fit for everyone.
Use these handy guides to help you in the search for a program that best meets your needs:
Recreation Council’s Summer Camp and Program Tips
National Center on Physical Activity and Disability Camp Guide
Call the Recreation Council to talk to your Area Coordinator
Peggy Welker – St. Louis County – 314-726-6044 ext: 103
Carol Callahan – St. Charles County – 314-726-6044 ext: 104
Mindy Davis – St. Louis City – 314-726-6044 ext: 105
The SUCCEED Summer Enrichment Camp provides students ages 17 to 22 the SUCCEED college experience. Students will stay overnight in Oak Hall, utilize a meal plan on campus, take various academic workshops, complete vocational training, and engage in recreational and traditional camp activities on campus.
314-516-5911
113 Lucas Hall
1 University Blvd
St. Louis MO 63121-4400
Wonderland Camp has provided a fun, educational and safe summer camp experience for campers with disabilities ages 6 and up since 1969. Our campers tell us year after year that they’ve had the “time of their lives” when they’re here at camp! We support families through specialized theme weekend retreats including Happy Momma, Father-Son & Mother-Daughter Weekends, Deer Widow Camp, Military Vet Camp, Fall Family Weekends, and New Year’s Eve Youth Camp.