Summer is a fun time; there are vacations, trips to amusement/water parks, camping trips, late night hangouts with friends, and summer camps for kids ... there’s a lot to do!
We thought it would be fun to compile a list of five inclusive summer activities for people of all abilities to take part in:
1. PRIDE Learning Centers: San Fernando Valley and the Los Angeles Area
PRIDE offers weekly camps for children with learning disabilities and related difficulties such as dyslexia, auditory processing, visual processing, ADHD, autism and other learning issues. They are specialists in Orton-Gillingham, a multi-sensory reading approach. The camps that PRIDE offers aren’t only for learning, they strive to make their environments as fun as possible.
Click here to see the full list of PRIDE’s camps.
2. Autism Speaks Walk
Autism Speaks Walk is the world’s largest autism fundraising event. Powered by the love of parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, relatives, and supporters, the funds raised help ensure that people who have autism have access to the tools they need to live ‘their best lives.’
The Autism Speaks Walk is a great activity for family members, or even for individuals who have autism. The walks aren’t very long, and you’ll have a great opportunity to connect with people who have encountered similar life experiences.
Click here to see their full list of walks.
3. Joni and Friends—International Family Retreats
Joni and Friends offers hope and help to families through their International Family Retreats (IFRs). In partnership with local organizations and churches, they offer family camps to children with disabilities. Their camps are offered throughout most of the United States. There are even volunteer opportunities available. To volunteer, please visit the Joni and Friends website by clicking here.
Click here to see Joni and Friends full schedule of camps.
4. Summer C.A.M.P.-- Clinically Advanced Multi-Modality Program
Summer C.A.M.P. is designed to help children in a fun and exciting environment. Their approach is to use a data driven evidence based treatment, in combination with the needs of each individual child, to come up with the best treatment solution possible.
They teach the mind to think, the hands to work, and the heart to love. Join them for a summer of sun, fun and friends at their inclusive summer camp. Achieve goals, conquer fears, build confidence, self-esteem, and develop an enthusiasm for life while learning social and emotional skills that will last a lifetime. Each of their summer programs run for 8-9 weeks.
The primary areas they strive to improve are:
- Self-esteem
- Social Behavior
- Rule Following
- Friendship Skills
- Classroom Behavior
- Home Behavior
- Academic Competence
- Anger Control
-
Problem-solving Skills
Click here to see their full list of events.
5. The Guided Tour
The Guided Tour, since 1972, has helped thousands of men, women and children with developmental challenges achieve greater independence. The focus of The Guided Tour is to provide a growth-producing experience for their travelers, in which they are able to travel and socialize independent of their families. To be able, many for the first time, to share their own vacation experiences with their families, their supervisors, co-workers and friends. The Guided Tour staff ensures that travelers not only have their independence, but they also help travelers with their money, and their medications.
Click here to see their list of tours.
There are many inclusive activities for people of all abilities to participate in over the Summer; the key is finding one that works for you and your loved ones.
Do you have experience with a great inclusive Summer activity or camp? Please share with us in the comments below so that everyone reading this article has even more resources to draw from.