If you are looking for a day camp that is geared towards children and youth who have special needs, many camps now offer a higher level of staffing that can be requested when a child with special needs is registered in a program.  With this staffing support, children with higher needs can be included in a regular camp program.  Other camps offer programs specifically for children with special needs with a higher number of staff already in the program.

In most cases, camper inclusion support offered by the town or city you live in is available to residents of that community only.  In some areas support may be offered to non-residents after the application deadline.  Check your local Recreation or Leisure Guide for more details including deadlines for applications!  These are typically published four times a year and available in your local newspaper, at your local community centre or library, and on-line. 

To support you in your research, the links for the individual town/city websites can be found by below.  When you reach the town/city's website, you can search that site using the information below.

City of Pickering - Leisure Guide /  Integration Supports

Town of Ajax – Recreation / Inclusion Services
 
Town of Whitby - Recreation / Inclusion Services

City of Oshawa – Leisure Guide / Inclusion Services

Municipality of Clarington – Accessible Inclusive Recreation

Township of Scugog - Action Pass

Township of Uxbridge – Community Guide / Special Needs support worker
 

The following camps offer specific programs to support campers with unique needs:

Abilities Centre
As an Abilities Centre member, you have access to programs for children and youth who have special needs that are included in your membership. 

Dr. Angela Fountain's Clubhouse
Dr. Fountain's Clubhouse in north Oshawa runs a variety of outdoor specialized camps in for children from 3 to 14 years of age.

Grandview Children’s Centre
Offers therapeutic recreation camp programs across Durham Region for children and youth with special needs up to 19 years of age.

Nova’s Ark
Offers outdoor, animal farm-based camp programs in north Whitby for children and youth with special needs up to 19 years of age.

Precious Minds
Offers a variety of camps for children and youth 18 + in north Durham who have special needs.

The above list highlights camp options accessed frequently in our area.  For more options and information, including checklists and tips for parents, please visit The Ontario Camp Association website or camps.ca website.