KCKidsFun

Special needs kids and families need special places to have fun summer experiences. Sometimes, the right environment can be hard to find. We’ve pulled together a list of camps that fit a range of special needs. Hopefully one will fit what your family is looking for! And please let us know if you become aware of others we could add to this list.

Sponsored Listings:

“Camp Kidz Rock!” sponsored by Successful Sounds (Overland Park, KS) –a spectrum of friends…a spectrum of fun!  This camp is a blast!!  For vocal autism spectrum kids ages 4-10, sponsored by Successful Sounds “A Neurologic Music Therapy Based Approach to Teaching the Autistic Child”. Camp mission is to provide a variety of social & leisure group opportunities in relationship to behavioral & social-emotional development. Designed and lead by certified Neurologic Music Therapists and supported by trained camp counselors, aids, youth counselors and typical peers, each of the four sessions are uniquely themed, highlighting social areas of interest, including swimming lessons!  All themed sessions also include singing, dancing, instrument playing, outdoor activities and exploration, exercise, games, crafts, field trips, camp snack, themed session photo memory book and much, much more!  Space is limited so don’t delay!  Details are available online or call 913-383-8465.

• Autism Concepts Inc. (Lenexa, KS) In the past, Autism Concepts has put together (2) 2-week day camps for kids on the autism spectrum who are vocal kindergarten through middle school students with emerging social and play skills. No 2012 camp details are up as of 2/27/2012.
• Autism Works (Liberty, MO) Offering YEAR-ROUND support for families! Social Clubs are for children ages 5 and up and meet twice a month focusing on creating a fun environment to learn social skills. Kids Club is for children on the autism spectrum ages 5-8. Tween Club is for children on the autism spectrum ages 9-12, and Teen Club is for teens on the spectrum ages 13-18. *Yoga Classes available children on the spectrum ages 5 and up and also for mothers who care for them. *Parent Support group is for parents/caregivers of children on the spectrum. *They also offer workshops and plenty of resources.
• Blue Valley Recreation (Overland Park, KS) – Blue Valley Rec offers many adapted and integrated leisure activities designed for individuals with disabilities. Includes swim lessons, bowling, dancing, cooking, open swim, open gym, a walking club, T-ball, softball, golf and bocce ball. Single day events include miniature golf, gardening, karaoke and much more!
• Boy Scouts Rotary Scout Camp (Lee’s Summit, MO) offers long-term camping experience to Boy Scouts with special needs.
• Brain Balance of Overland Park (OP, KS) – Get a Jumpstart for the Next School Year. The Brain Balance Program can improve your child’s social, academic and behavioral abilities. To find out how – Call (913) 627-9400.
• Camp Barnabas (Purdy, MO – southwest Missouri) is a residential camp which focuses on people with all types of disabilities. Campers can be anywhere from 7 to 35, depending on their disability. Each session is directed to specific needs: developmental disabled, physically disabled, autistic/Asperger’s, blind/visually impaired, deaf/hearing impaired, amputees, chronic illnesses and others. Siblings are also welcome and have their own programming.
• Camp Carousel (held at the Heartland Presbyterian Center, Parkville, MO) is a two day camp for families who are grieving the loss of a loved one. This retreat is hosted by Kansas City Hospice and offers relaxation and activities for family members of all ages. This year the retreat will be September 21-23rd instead of summer.
• 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.
• Camp Encourage (held at Tall Oaks 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 Erin (held at the Heartland Presbyterian Center, Parkville, MO) is a two day overnight camp for kids ages 6 to 17 who are grieving the death of someone close to them. Staffed by certified grief counselors and hosted by Kansas City Hospice, this camp is free and early application is recommended.
• Camp Hickory Hill (Columbia, MO) is a summer camp for children with diabetes. They offer a supportive medically supervised environment where children with type 1 diabetes, ages 8-17 have an opportunity to discover kindred spirits, build self-confidence, learn about managing their diabetes more independently and have a whole lot of fun.
• 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  runs the third week of June and 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. All of the traditional camping activities are offered, with a one to one camper/counselor ratio and medical staff on-site. 2012 Camp details are not posted as of 2/27/2012.
• Camp Planet D – Kansas City (Kansas City, MO) is an overnight camp for kids with diabetes, ages 7 to 14. Newly diagnosed and first time attendees receive priority admission.
• Camp Quality is an overnight camp for children with cancer, ages 3-17. This year’s camp is the week of July 29, 2012. Every child has an assigned adult “companion” and an on-site oncology specialist is available for every camper.
• Camp Wilderness (Lawson, MO) accepts children with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. Ages 7 to 17 welcome. This year’s camp is the week of August 6, 2012.
• Cheley / Children’s Hospital Burn Camp (Estes Park, CO) hosts children ages 8 to 18 who have been hospitalized in burn units across the country for a very traditional camp experience with specially trained staff. Camp this year runs August 13-20, 2012, but the registration site isn’t yet active.
• Children’s Therapy Group (Overland Park, KS) is a multi-disciplinary clinic specializing in sensory integration therapy. In the past, they offered fine motor enhancement classes for preschoolers and kindergartners, 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. No 2012 details up yet, but check the website or call.
• CLO’s Midnight Farm Day Camp (Baldwin City, KS) Midnight Farm will hold two day camps for children with Autism. Activities include crafts, singing, animal interactions and more. Horseback riding will be available for an additional fee.  For registration information please contact campdirector@clokan.org or call Diane Bannerman Juracek at 785-218-9329. No 2012 information posted as of 2/27/2012.
• 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). No information for 2012 is posted yet, but check the website or call.
• 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 math clinic, cooking, creative dramatics and PAWS Jr. dog training.
• Horsin’ Around at Midnight Farm Horsin’ Around is a horsemanship day camp for children ages 6-16 with or without special needs. Campers will learn riding skills, general horse knowledge and ground skills to help them become well-rounded riders. Camp will also include horse-themed crafts, games, pony parade and a horse show on the last day.  For 2012 registration information email dionnenewton@clokan.org or call 785-979-1889.
• Johnson County Park and Recreation District offers 39 summer camp programs for ages 3-18.  They have programming available for special populations, as well (SEE “NEW HORIZONS CAMP” BELOW).  Dates, locations and fees vary.
• Joint Adventures (Missouri) is a five-night overnight camp for children with rheumatic diseases.  For more information, contact the Department of Rheumatology at Children’s Mercy Hospital.
• 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.
• 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.
• Missouri Children’s Burn Camp (Lake of the Ozarks, MO) is held at Camp Sabra, a residential camp. This is a program for children ages 6 to 17 with burn injuries and offers traditional camp activities. There is no charge for the camp.
• Muscular Dystrophy Camp is a one-week residential camp for anyone ages 6 to 21 with a neuromuscular disease. Contact the local MDA office for details – 913-859-0632
• 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.

• Sertoma Fantasy Sports Camp (Overland Park, KS) sponsored a three day camp for children with speech and hearing disorders last summer. Baseball and lacrosse instruction were provided. Interpreters were on-site to help with instruction. Keep an eye on their website for 2011 camp details!
• Sertoma-Schiefelbusch Communication Camp (Lawrence, KS) is a collaborative effort between the Lawrence Sertoma Club and the Shiefelbusch Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic at KU. The camp is open to children ages 4 to 10 with and without communication challenges. 2012 camp session will be June 18-29, registration information will be posted after March 1, 2012.
• Sky’s The Limit Studios (Lawrence, KCK and Overland Park, KS) – STL offers specialized art therapy groups for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other special needs.  Check the website for details or call.
• Spofford Scamps Summer Day Camp (south Kansas City, MO) holds day camps at their campus near Oakwood Country Club. An unbelievably good resource for Kansas City, 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. (2011 info still posted on their site as of 2/27/2012)
• Camp Kidz Rock sponsored by Successful Sounds (Overland Park, KS) – for vocal children ages 4-10 with immature or delayed social and play skills, Asperger’s, High-Functioning Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Sensory Integration Dysfunction and related play/social delays.
• Sugar Creek Equinapy (Pleasant Hill, MO) offers summer therapeutic riding programs for special needs children. 2012 summer camp information isn’t yet posted, but they appear to have recovered from a devastating fire last year and are moving forward.
• Superkids Summer Asthma Camp (Asthma & Allergy Foundation of Greater Kansas City.) For asthmatic children who have completed grades 2-6.  July 9-13, 2012 for grades 1-3, and July 23-27 for grades 4-6. 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 (and lots of FUN!)
• 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. Plus a wheelchair accessible treehouse!
• YMCA (20 locations in the metro) offers camps for 5-11 year olds and run June 1- August 7.  Bonus:  before and after-camp care is available, as is financial assistance.

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

There’s no shortage of art and creativity in the great Kansas City area. We have the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, the Crossroads District galleries, the Kansas City Art Institute and Hallmark.  So if your little ones prefer summer camp fun that involves using their creativity, we’ve found plenty to choose from. Here’s a roundup of the great Art Camps in Kansas City this summer!
Get started by checking out your local parks and recreation catalog and then check these out!

(If you operate a Kansas City area day or overnight camp which is not listed here or in one of other other camp listings, please let us know! And if you’re interested in a Sponsored Listing, email us for information.)

Sponsored Listings:

Little Masters…big art (Olathe, KS) is an art program and offers summer camps for children ages 3 and up.   Camps are for 3-5 year olds and 6+.  Your children will learn the basic elements of art, art appreciation, a little art history all through applied instruction but most importantly they will have a ton of fun!

Regular Listings:

• ARTichokes (Leawood, KS) is a great locally-owned art gallery that hosts ARTmania camps in the summer for kids ages 5-12. 2012 summer camp will not be posted until the first of April, so check the website or call for information.
• Artrageous Creative Studios (Prairie Village, KS) offers art camps for all ages. The theme changes each week – the kids will learn a little art history, explore other cultures through art and, of course, CREATE! Morning and afternoon classes. Summer 2012 schedule is HERE!
• Blue Valley Recreation (Overland Park, KS) Art Camps include making jewelry, stick fairies, collages, mobiles, journals/sketchbooks and woven pieces. Kids will paint, draw, sculpt, use model magic, and much more.
• CartoonWorks (Kansas City, MO) offers one-week camps for ages 8 through High School from June to July. Ron Wheeler’s Cartoon Camp teaches the basics of cartooning, sculpting with clay and creating a comic strip. Audrey’s Art Camp includes working with clay, etching and crafting paper.
• Community School of the Arts/KCYA Kansas City Young Audiences (Kansas City, MO) has many dance and theater options for 5-15 year olds – but look closely and you’ll find a few very interesting visual arts offerings too! Classes are held at St. Teresa’s Academy between Brookside and the Plaza.
• HodgePodge Workshop (KCMO) – an art venue, gallery and boutique offering arts and craft workshops for adults and children. HodgePodge offers workshops in Batik, candle-making, soap-making, mosaics, ceramics, pottery painting and more. HodgePodge is also a great place to host your next birthday party, baby shower, or ladies night out!
• Johnson County Park and Recreation District offers 30+ summer camp programs for ages 3-18.  Included are camps themed around arts and crafts, history, pirates, art and music.  Dates, locations and fees vary.
• Kansas City Art Institute (Kansas City, MO and Riverside, MO)If your child loves to draw or paint, take photos or make digital art, the Kansas City Art Institute’s School for Continuing and Professional Studies offers drawing, painting, animation, fashion, photography…and more!  Youth and high school students ages 6-18 can explore art and design at one of the nation’s top schools of art and design located right in their own backyard.
• Lutheran High School of Kansas City (south KCMO) offers an art camp for grades 3-6, held in June 2012.  Call 816-241-5478 for more info.
• Mattie Rhodes Art Center (Kansas City, MO) has awesome art exploration classes and programs for your little ones, ages 5 to 12 this summer! Experience five different mediums – ceramics, textiles, cultural art, mixed media and painting/printmaking. Summer schedules aren’t out yet, but check the website soon for updates.
• The Culture House (Olathe, KS) has four “schools”:  Theater, Dance, Music and Fine Art– each with summer camps!
• The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (Kansas City, MO) has a mix of hands-on and art appreciation classes for ages 3-18.  These programs sell out FAST!
• Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art (Overland Park, KS)  These are technically classes, but they look fantastic!  For children ages 5-11.  See website for specifics.
• Paint Glaze and Fire (Overland Park, KS) does ceramics camps (Ceramics Cafe) in south Overland Park.
• Red Star Studios Summer Art Camp (KCMO) offers six one-week summer sessions for children ages 7-12.  Different themes and mediums will be explored each session, which run June through August 2012. 9-3:30 daily, $200/session. 816-474-7316.
• Wolf Creek Art Studio (south Overland Park, KS)offers half-day, week-long Art Camps for children ages 6-14.  A different form of art will be explored each day.
• YMCA (20 locations in the metro) offers camps for 5-11 year olds and run June 1- August 7.  Arts and Crafts-themed camp is available in addition to drama, sports and nature!  Bonus:  before and after-camp care is available, as is financial assistance.

We’ll add to this list as we discover new camps and classes for summer 2012! In the meantime, take a look at the ones listed here, the ones offered by your parks and rec department and even the ones put on inside your favorite chain craft store (like Michael’s or JoAnn – they’ve always got a full calendar of classes).

We’ve had the good fortune of welcoming some new advertisers to the KC Kids Fun advertising community these past few months!  All are family-friendly and all would appreciate your business.  Especially as the holidays draw near, we like to encourage readers to shop and buy local first.  There are so many terrific locally-owned businesses right here in KC, and you can feel good knowing that your hard-earned money is staying here in the metro!

Thanks to all of our advertisers throughout the years.  We’ve been very lucky to have worked with a tremendous group of business people and business owners from the community who recognize the importance of family and kid-friendly activities!

Our first welcome is to Kansas City Repertory Theatre– where you will want to catch the annual production that is quintessential Kansas City Christmas– A Christmas Carol. Tickets are available now and the production runs November 19- December 26, 2011.W

We also want to welcome The Ice at Park Place in Leawood, KS.  The Ice is Johnson County’s ONLY outdoor ice rink!  It’s size makes it perfect for a beginner’s first spin on the rink, and Park Place is home to some wonderful shops and restaurants for pre- or post-skate.  You can satisfy your sweet tooth at Paciugo Gelato or Cupcake A La Mode, or enjoy a freshly-prepared meal at Ingredient Restaurant or Carmen’s Cafe.

Thanks also to our long-time advertisers:  Sprint Center, Kansas City Allergy & Asthma (KCAA), Paradise Park, Coterie Theatre, Burleson Orthodontics, Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI), The Language Workshop for Children,College Nannies & Tutors, Revisin, Midland/AEG and Faulkner’s Ranch.

We also have many businesses advertising in our various directories as Sponsored Listings.  These include: Yogi Bear’s™ Kansas City Jellystone RV Park and Resort, Zonkers, Little Masters…big art, Pinnacle Gymnastics, Successful Sounds, Christian Youth Theatre (CYT) and Camp Kidz Rock!