Welcome to today’s advice thread where we’re going to share camp hacks we have figured out along the way. I’m going to get us started by listing a few important questions to ask camp directors when trying to determine if a camp is the best fit for your child. Remember: It’s about fit with your child’s skills RIGHT NOW. It could be a fit in a few years from now, so keep camps in mind for the future.
Questions to ask camp directors:
What’s the daily schedule?
How many kids are in each group & what’s the staff to camper ratio?
What type of training to counselors receive?
What happens when kids have big feeling or needs a break?
What do you expect campers to do independently?
Now, comment below with questions you wished you had asked sooner AND list any camp locations in your area that have supported your kids well. Be sure to comment on someone else’s post that resonated with you. We’re a community here!
I’d love to hear if anyone knows of any sleepaway camps in or near IL that do well with ADHDers! I think he could do well at a traditional camp as long as there are staff who understand ADHD there.
I’m a sleepaway summer camp owner (in the mountains of NC, too!). We’re not a specialized camp, but we have a high number of neurodiverse campers. We’re often asked ‘can my ___ child go to camp?’ - and, as both of us are ADHD ourselves, it’s an enthusiastic yes.
We’ve had neurodiverse kids just *thrive* at camp, but it does take a bit of extra work on both sides.
A few thoughts for parents-
- Ask if the counselors have any training on neurodiversity. During orientation we stress that ALL kids want to be good, but sometimes brain chemistry can get in the way of ‘acceptable’ behavior.
- Be honest with the directors! I’m not saying send the full eval, but not letting the camp know your child is neurodiverse is putting everyone at a disadvantage.
- Don’t switch up medication regimens right before camp! That applies to starting or stopping— it just adds to the disregulation that comes with a new environment
- Even sleepaway camps tend to have a ‘niche.’ Find a smaller camp that caters to a special interest (a specific sport, blacksmithing, kayaking, etc).
Between the consistent schedule yet dopamine-abundant activities and exercise, overnight camps can make a lasting impact in the lives of all kids (neurodiverse and neurotypical)!
To be completely self-serving (but also 100% positive camp ownership does well with ADHDers 😂), we’re Camp Arrowhead- a boys sleepaway camp in western NC
Questions I wish I’d asked: 1. How does lunch work, and how do you make sure kids have enough time to eat? 2. What is the aftercare setup?
We’ve had better luck with camps where an actual adult (one who has worked with or taught kids before) is in charge of the classes or groups. (Shout out to camp Levine in DC!)
My PDA son, 16, is very upset/afraid about the idea of camp. His self reg. at home is pow! Away at school he’s a gem. How do I sell the idea? He’s explosive & I’m exhausted! Trying to build independence.
I’d love to hear if anyone knows of any sleepaway camps in or near IL that do well with ADHDers! I think he could do well at a traditional camp as long as there are staff who understand ADHD there.
Can anyone help out Rachel?
For everyone asking about local to me options (Wake County, NC), here are a few I recommend:
1. Camp GRACE (YMCA) - Day
2. Building Connections (private non-profit) - Day
3. Camp Royall (ASNC) - Specialized Sleep Away
4. Camp Kanata (YMCA) - Day and Sleep Away
5. Schoolhouse of Wonder - Day
Everyone share what camps have worked for your child below (make sure to include your location) ~Dr. Emily
I’m a sleepaway summer camp owner (in the mountains of NC, too!). We’re not a specialized camp, but we have a high number of neurodiverse campers. We’re often asked ‘can my ___ child go to camp?’ - and, as both of us are ADHD ourselves, it’s an enthusiastic yes.
We’ve had neurodiverse kids just *thrive* at camp, but it does take a bit of extra work on both sides.
A few thoughts for parents-
- Ask if the counselors have any training on neurodiversity. During orientation we stress that ALL kids want to be good, but sometimes brain chemistry can get in the way of ‘acceptable’ behavior.
- Be honest with the directors! I’m not saying send the full eval, but not letting the camp know your child is neurodiverse is putting everyone at a disadvantage.
- Don’t switch up medication regimens right before camp! That applies to starting or stopping— it just adds to the disregulation that comes with a new environment
- Even sleepaway camps tend to have a ‘niche.’ Find a smaller camp that caters to a special interest (a specific sport, blacksmithing, kayaking, etc).
Between the consistent schedule yet dopamine-abundant activities and exercise, overnight camps can make a lasting impact in the lives of all kids (neurodiverse and neurotypical)!
To be completely self-serving (but also 100% positive camp ownership does well with ADHDers 😂), we’re Camp Arrowhead- a boys sleepaway camp in western NC
LOVE these tips! Thank you for sharing.💚
Thanks for sharing. Yes, all the questions about food and toileting are super important!
Questions I wish I’d asked: 1. How does lunch work, and how do you make sure kids have enough time to eat? 2. What is the aftercare setup?
We’ve had better luck with camps where an actual adult (one who has worked with or taught kids before) is in charge of the classes or groups. (Shout out to camp Levine in DC!)
My PDA son, 16, is very upset/afraid about the idea of camp. His self reg. at home is pow! Away at school he’s a gem. How do I sell the idea? He’s explosive & I’m exhausted! Trying to build independence.
DIY snow making, power washing, roller coasters, RC plane building—ghosts rigged off house.
Start with interests and skills. What does he love and what can he do independently?