Summer Camps 2025

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Hello Manville Caregivers,

While we are still dealing with winter and snow and cold it’s the time of year when summer camps start to accept applications. The Caregiver Program at Manville is here to support you in thinking through your summer plans. Manville has an extended school year which consists of our 4-week (20 day) summer program that runs during July and early August. It is the expectation that all students will participate in our summer program. This year our summer program starts on Monday July 7th and goes through Friday August 1st (the only half day is the last day). This leaves about 2 weeks off in late June/early July (depending on snow days) as well as 4 weeks off in August. Many of our families decide to enroll their child in an activity or summer camp during these breaks.

There are many different camps in the greater Boston area that offer a variety of activities and levels of support. Given the early enrollment dates for many camps it is helpful to start thinking now about what might be a good fit for your child. This process can feel overwhelming and the Caregiver Program at Manville is available to support you in thinking through what you are looking for from a camp. While we can’t create programming, we are able to help guide the questions you ask and think creatively about supports and programming that is available. We created a "Guide to thinking about and applying to camps" which can be a helpful place to start (see Guide below).

In addition, Manville has a Campership Fund which allows us to provide a limited amount (the average is around $200) of funding to support students in attending summer camps. The application can be found here. In order to be considered for funding you must have already applied to a camp. You can fill out the campership application at any point this winter/spring or early summer.

If you are interested in connecting with Ellen Sandoval (Director of Family Engagement and Support) or Kim Smith (Caregiver Partner) to talk more about camps please email us at esandoval@bakercenter.org and/or ksmith@bakercenter.org. In preparation for our conversation, please review the "Guide" below. We are also having two camps join us this Wednesday to talk more about their programming. Feel free to join us on Zoom (see details below).

Take care,

Ellen

Join us on Zoom , Wed. 1/15/25 from 6-7 PM.

https://judgebaker.zoom.us/j/5218722011

Thinking about camps can be overwhelming. The following guide helps break down these steps and includes guidance, programs, and resources that have helped Manville students.

1) What type of camp does my child need? When trying to determine your options for summer camp it can be helpful to think through the following:

• Level of therapeutic need – Does my child need a camp with a high staff ratio in order to have a successful experience?

• Level of social readiness – Is my child ready for an overnight camp? Would my child be able to get along in a more mainstream camp setting?

• Interests – Would my child like a sports focused camp or something focusing on computers? Nature based or urban based?

• Previous experience – What camp experiences have been most successful in the past? What experiences do I want to avoid?

It might be helpful to talk these questions through with your child’s clinician at Manville to get their perspective.

2) What are some of the options? Once you have a good sense of what you are looking for in a summer camp it can be helpful to have some options. Below are some of the camps Manville students have attended in the past. This is not an exhaustive list of camps in the area.

Day Camps:

• Municipality Camps: Check with your local town/community or your out-of-district coordinator

• JCC Camp Grossman Camp Grossman - JCC Greater Boston Camp Grossman is a Jewish affiliated day camp that accepts children of all faiths. They have both mainstream options as well as groups for kids with special needs. They have transportation options available.

• YMCA: Contact your local YMCA to find out if they have therapeutic day camp options.

• Camp Triumph Therapeutic Special Needs Camp | Triumph Center A therapeutic day camp located in North Reading and Bedford, MA. No transportation provided.

• The Bridge Center - Easter Seals This is a camp for children of all abilities. 1:1 support is evaluated on a child-by-child basis and is available for an additional fee.

Overnight Camps:

• Camp Starfish Camp Starfish A therapeutic overnight camp in Rindge, NH.

• Camp Ramapo Ramapo for Children A therapeutic overnight camp in Rhinebeck, NY.

Camp Directories: Look at the camps and camp fairs listed at

• FCSN CAMP GUIDE 2024 (will update when 2025 comes out)

• Directory of Resources – Massachusetts Family TIES

• Summer Camp Resources 2025 - DisabilityInfo.org (this link will work for 2025 when updated)

• Special-Needs Camps & Fairs Massachusetts 2025

• Boston Medical Center Autism Program 2024 Summer Guide

• Summer Camps in Massachusetts For Individuals With Special Needs

3) Apply! Once you have narrowed down your options go ahead and apply to the camp. Many camps open enrollment as early as January/February and spots can fill quickly. If a camp offers financial aid you also have a better chance of receiving funding if you apply early.

4) Apply for Funding through Manville: Manville has a Campership Fund which allows us to provide a limited amount (the average is around $200) of funding to support students in attending summer camps. The application can be found here. In order to be considered for funding you must have already applied to a camp.