***THIS IS THE 2008 DIRECTORY. PLEASE REFER TO

OUR 2010 KANSAS CITY SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY! THANKS!***

I know, I know. I said we were finished with the summer camp series. But there has been such an interest in the camp offerings listed in the previous posts, I thought I’d go ahead and add a list of camps for kids with various special needs. As always, if we’ve missed something great, please let us know by leaving a comment after this post or by emailing us (our email addresses are on the About Us page).

• If you would like to purchase a Sponsored Listing in the 2009 KC Kids Fun Summer Camp Directory, please CONTACT US as soon as possible! The Sponsored Listing will include one square graphic adjacent to your listing (like the one you see to the right) and your camp information will be published at the top of the list before non-sponsored listings! Don’t delay! Reserve your Sponsored Listing now!
• Camp Encourage (held at Tall Creeks Conference Center in Linwood, KS) is tailored to children with autism, Asperger and related pervasive developmental disorders. Peer models (children without an autism spectrum disorder) will also participate in the camp.
• Camp Hope (Claflin, KS – about 60 miles from Kansas City) is open for children from 7-18 who are in cancer treatment or in remission from cancer. The camp is staffed by pediatric oncologists and nurses. This is an overnight camp with all of the traditional camp activities. A day camp is offered for kids ages 4-6.
• Camp MITIOG (Excelsior Springs, MO) is a camp for young people with spina bifida. This year it runs from July 19-July 25. All of the traditional camping activities are offered, with a one to one camper/counselor ratio and medical staff on-site.
• Camp Quality (Excelsior Springs, MO) is an overnight camp for children, ages 3- 17 with cancer. Every child has an assigned adult “companion” and an on-site oncology specialist is available for every camper. Camp Quality is always looking for people over 18 who are willing to be camp companions – no medical training or experience is required. Check out the website for an application.
• Children’s Therapy Group (Overland Park, KS) is a multi-disciplinary clinic specializing in sensory integration therapy. This summer, they offer fine motor enhancement classes for preschoolers and kindergarteners, a handwriting class for ages 6-8, cursive writing for kids 7-10, Fun with Language for kids 3-9 who have problems with social, pragmatic and expressive language, sensory motor group for preschoolers, creative arts for kids 6-9 and water fun for kids with behavioral, learning and motor coordination problems. CTG is located at 76th and Metcalf.
• Concerned Care, Inc. (North Kansas City, MO) hosts recreational sports, youth day camp and vocational day camp for young people with developmental disabilities. Campers must be Clay County residents (due to funding issues).
• Girl Scouts Juliette Low Camp (Jackson County, MO) is held at Rotary Youth Camp at Lake Jacomo for girls with physical disabilities, ages 8-18. Campers are encouraged to invite friends without disabilities to share the camp experience with them. This is an overnight camp, lasting 6 nights.
• Horizon Academy (Roeland Park, KS) sponsors summer classes for kids with average or above average intelligence who are struggling with basic skills due to learning disabilities. This summer, they offer a full summer school program, a reading clinic, a Type to Learn Keyboarding class and Cogmed Working Memory Training Computer Sessions for grades 1-12.
• H.O.R.S.E. (Helping Others Reach Success and Excellence)/Camp Round-Up (south Kansas City, MO) is a summer day camp for children ages -18 diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. This is a horse and horseback riding centered day camp with other traditional camp activities as well. H.O.R.S.E. offers many fun yet therapeutic services for children within the autism spectrum.
• Joshua Center Summer Camp (Kansas City, MO) is sponsoring a summer overnight camp at Lake Jacomo (Rotary Youth Club Camp) for 5 days/4 nights in June. The camp is for 3rd to 8th graders with Tourette Syndrome, Asperger Syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Hurry! Registration ends April 15th.

• Midwest Brachial Plexus Network, Inc. and Rotary Youth Organization (Lee’s Summit, MO) offer a three day overnight camp for children with brachial plexus birth injuries.
• Camp ChiMer (National Kidney Foundation of Kansas and Western Mo. and Children’s Mercy Hospital) is located east of Excelsior Springs, MO. It offers overnight outdoor experiences for children 8-18 who undergo dialysis or who have had a kidney transplant. There is on-site medical care and no fee for those whose applications are accepted.
• National Sports Center for the Disabled is sponsoring AbilityCAMPS throughout the spring and summer. These are one-time classes for kids 6 to 18, with physical or developmental disabilities. The NSCD helps children with the following disabilities or conditions: ADD, Amputation, Arthritis, Autism, Behavioral Health, Bone Disorder, Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Deafness, Developmental Disabilities, Diabetes, Down Syndrome, Epilepsy, Fragile X, Hemophilia, Learning Disabilities, Little People, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Disorder, Muscular Dystrophy, Nerve Disorders, Neurological Disorders, Paraplegia, Post-Polio, Quadriplegia, Respiratory Disorder, Spina Bifida, Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, Substance Abuse and Vision Loss/Blindness. Upcoming camps include KC Wizards Soccer Camp, KC Royals Baseball Camp, KC Golf Camp and KC Chiefs Football Camp.
• New Horizons Camp is sponsored by the Johnson County Parks and Recreation Department. This camp is for children (ages 6-18) with learning, developmental and mental disabilities. This is a nine week day camp but is not a clinical setting, so they are unable to accept kids with special medical needs or behavioral issues which may require restraint.
• Premier Therapy Services (office in Kansas City, MO – services at various locations) offers therapy, classes and groups for children with varying communicative needs.
• Rainbow Center Day Camp (Blue Springs, MO) offers a traditional day camp with activities and field trips for children with special developmental needs such as autism, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy and other communication or behavioral disorders.
• Sertoma Fantasy Sports Camp (Overland Park, KS) will be sponsoring a three day camp for children with speech and hearing disorders. Baseball and lacrosse instruction will be provided. Interpreters are on-site to help with instruction.
• Spofford Scamps Summer Day Camp (south Kansas City, MO) holds day camps at their campus near Oakwood Country Club. Spofford works with children with behavioral issues related to abuse, neglect and mental health disorders. Day camp is offered for children, ages 6-13. Camp goals are related to social skills development, peer interaction, self-confidence and conflict resolution.
• Superkids Summer Asthma Camp (Asthma & Allergy Foundation of Greater Kansas City.) July 21-25. For asthmatic children who have completed grades 2-6. Children will learn about asthma management through crafts, games and outdoor activities, including swimming. Medical professionals are always on hand. An inspiring and empowering week for children!!
• ACED Program (UMKC Institute for Human Development and Longview Community College) offers summer classes for people ages 16 and older with developmental disabilities.
• Wonderland Camp (Lake of the Ozarks) is a residential camp for children with developmental and physical challenges. All of the traditional camp activities are offered. There are also special weeks for children with Prader Willi Syndrome and brain injuries.
• Communication Counts (Olathe, KS) will be offering social communication skills groups for children with communication deficits. Groups are available for kids in grades 1 through 8.
• Special Communications Therapy (Overland Park, KS) is offering social skills groups and thematic play groups throughout the summer for children from preschool through 3rd grade. These groups will include children with and without special needs. Contact Amy Sue Douglas, M.Ed., 816-304-0526, abcsdoug@sbcglobal.net

UPDATE: Here’s a new one that came to my attention today!

• Autism Concepts Inc. (Olathe, KS) has put together 2 2-week day camps for kids on the autism spectrum who are vocal kindergarten thru middle school students with emerging social and play skills. The kids are grouped by need into groups of four with two peer models. This half-day camp is held at Black Bob Park in Olathe.

Please feel free to let us know about any other great camp out there for Kansas City kids with special needs!

Tags: blue springs, camp, kansas city, lee's summit, northland, olathe, overland park, special needs

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 5th, 2008 at 8:59 am and is filed under Lessons/Camps/Classes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.