Discover a Philly special needs summer camp right here. For families of kids with special needs, such as learning differences, physical disabilities, mental health needs, or sensory sensitivities, the summer camp search might look a little different. Explore some of the Philadelphia area’s day and overnight camps for kids who need extra support. These camps support a vast variety of kids and needs. 

Is a favorite camp for Philly kids with special needs missing from the list? Please leave a comment below.

Philly Day Camps for Kids With Special Needs

There are many sensory-friendly Philly experiences. But what about camps? Yes, there’s plenty of those, too. Contact the day camps on your list to figure out if the camp offers the right level of care. Take a tour or call with questions, and look for the right blend of support and fun.

Camp Kinney

376 N Latches Lane, Merion Station, PA

Camp Kinney at the Kinney Center within St. Joseph’s University offers an immersive and recreational-based traditional summer camp experience designed for individuals with autism. They operate on a reverse inclusion model, or combining autistic kids with non-autistic kids to help foster positive interactions. With a customized written or visual schedule, kids have a say in their day. Camp Kinney is accredited by the American Camp Association.

Kids ages 5 to 21 engage in activities similar to a typical summer camp that includes naturalistic application of Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, and special education. With personalized goals and one-on-one support from current undergrad students, or Kinney SCHOLARS. Before camp begins, these Kinney SCHOLARS undergo training on a child’s behavior plan and/or Individualized Education Program, or IEP. The direct care staff receive supervision from a Graduate Assistant team (which includes Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts, or BCaBAs), and a full-time program director.

Camp Walnut

825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA

The Walnut Street Theater’s summer day camp, Camp Walnut, welcomes students of all abilities, including those with disabilities and children who are developmentally typical. The Discovery Division is for any kid who wants to try improvisation, learn vocal technique, develop on-camera skills, and dance. Discovery 1 is for ages 8-11, while Discovery 2 is for those ages 12-18. No audition required. Kids are accepted until the camp is full.

However, for kids interested in the Development Division for Intermediate students and those pursuing the Performance Division for Advanced Students, they will need to audition for admittance. Each division is divided into two groups. Development 1 is for ages 8-11, while Development 2 is for kids aged 12-17. Finally, the Performance Division 1 is for kids of any ability, ages 10-18. It’s a Philly special needs summer camp with an eye on the arts.

Camp Kef

45 Haverford Road, Wynnewood, PA

Camp Kef, a Jewish day camp, welcomes campers with special needs through their Mildred Lasch Special Needs Inclusion Program. The program supports social development, peer interaction, and independence for neurodiverse campers and campers with disabilities.

Camp Kef has partnered with The Social Enrichment Center to create a program for children with special needs. There are two groups: Camp Kef Itinerant Support and SEC Full Support Program. Children in the Camp Kef Itinerant Support receive 1:1 or 2:1 camp counselor support, travel with their bunk, and may participate in every camp activity. SEC Full Support Program provides full-time support with opportunities for inclusion.

Camp Pegasus’s Mini Pegasus – Art of Friendship

Art of Friendship Child and Family Art Therapy Center, 600 Haverford Road, Haverford, PA

While the original Camp Pegasus celebrated its last summer in 2023, it now offers a half-day program. Well-regulated neurodiverse children ages 4-11 with autism, learning differences, anxiety, or ADHD may participate.

Kids are divided into two groups based on their age and also their social and developmental ability. Campers at the Greater Philly special needs summer camp enjoy structured social skills practice, a positive reinforcement system, and small groups with one therapist and one assistant.

Summer Enrichment Program at AIM Academy

1200 River Road, Conshohocken, PA

The Summer Enrichment Program at AIM Academy is an independent school dedicated to providing educational opportunities to children with language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. They do not require a diagnosed learning difference to attend their summer enrichment program, but the program is designed for a broad range of student learners and provides academic support for several subjects.

AIM notes that there are needs that are outside their areas of expertise, and would not be well served by their program, including cognitive impairment, needs on the autism spectrum, and emotional disturbance or behavioral conduct disorder. Before and after care is available at this Greater Philly special needs summer camp for an additional fee.

JCC Camps at Medford

400 Tuckerton Road, Medford, NJ

The JCC Camps at Medford Open Hearts/Open Doors inclusive camp program for campers with disabilities enables kids ages 3-13 with intellectual or developmental disabilities to have the full camp experience. Open Hearts/Open Doors typically have 1:1 assistance training.

Teen programs for campers with disabilities, ages 14-18, include Rishon and Gesher/ LIT. Rishon combines camp electives with a rotating internship for a chance to gain valuable life skills, social practice, and an inclusive camp experience. Campers who graduated from Open Hearts/Open Doors receive entry to the Gesher/ LIT camp experience. It’s a combination of job training with a 5:1 case manager (in addition to camp job placement counselors) and blended camp activities.

Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Camps

Various locations throughout Philadelphia, PA

More than 7,000 campers attend the more than 100 Philly Parks and Recreation summer camps each year, including camps for people with intellectual and physical disabilities. The Park and Rec department’s inclusion plan aims to expand the quality and number of inclusive and accessible neighborhood programming.

Use the Parks and Rec Finder app to find a camp nearby. Follow the links to sign up or contact the location. Closed camps will read, “Closed: Check back again.” Then, get ready for a summer of growth.

Overnight Camps in Philly

Find Philly overnight camps for kids of all abilities. The camps below accommodate kids with special needs to help ensure a memorable and fun camp experience with supportive care.

Dragonfly Forest Summer Camp

143 Nichecronk Road, Dingmans Ferry, PA

The Dragonfly Forest Summer Camp, a specialty YMCA camp, is a traditional overnight program for kids with autism, 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, asthma, sickle cell disease, and hemophilia. By partnering with parents and experts in the medical field, the Greater Philly special needs summer camp provides accommodations for campers that allow for success at camp.

 Not every YMCA location offers Dragonfly Forest Summer Camp. Look to the local branch or browse online for nearby YMCAs with the option. Campers enjoy science and nature, swimming, arts and crafts, performing arts, and sports. Positive integration is encouraged. Choose from a half-day or a full-day camp.

Appel Farm Arts Camp

457 Shirley Road, Elmer, NJ

Appel Farm Arts Camp is a gender-affirming overnight summer arts camp for kids ages 8 – 16. Campers may choose among different majors, including Theatre Performance, Technical Theatre, Music, Art and Technology, Dance, Visual Arts, Photography, Video, Creative Writing, and Sports and Swim. Minors vary depending on the camp staff’s talents.

The staff at Appel Farm Arts Camp is trained in mental health first aid, and the camp is “radically supportive.” Although parents typically drop campers at camp, Appel Farms will pick up campers at Philadelphia International Airport, Amtrak 30th Street Station, or the Philadelphia Greyhound Station for all sessions. For two-week sessions, the camp arranges transportation between New York City, NY, West Orange, NJ and the camp for a fee. Expect 8-12 campers and two counselors per bunk.

Camp Achieve

249 Camp Green Lane Road, Green Lane, PA

Camp Achieve offers the camp experience for kids ages 8 to 17 who have epilepsy and are capable of performing daily tasks (such as basic hygiene and getting dressed) on their own. Trained medical staff and experienced counselors help kids enjoy the typical camp activities surrounded by their peers.

From games and sports to camp sing-a-longs, Camp Achieve is a place for epileptic kids to have fun and make summer memories the same as any other kid.

Philly Special Needs Summer Camp: Day Camp or Overnight

There’s a camp for Philly kids with special needs offering the right level of support and encouragement for every child. Start the search early. Get in touch with potential camps, ask questions, and see what camp fits best. Look to these resources for special needs families in Philadelphia for other sources of support.

Lead photo courtesy of Camp Kinney