"Camp Should Be Fun… Right?" Navigating Summer Camp with a Child Who Has Needs
The brochures make it look effortless—sun-soaked days, giggles at the campfire, new best friends in tie-dye t-shirts. But if you're raising a child with disabilities or neurodivergent needs, the lead-up to summer camp can stir up a lot more than excitement.
Camp can be joyful. It can be freeing. It can be a chance for your child to grow in ways you didn’t expect.
And—if we’re being honest—it can also be stressful, unpredictable, and emotionally exhausting.
🎒 What’s Underneath the Packing List?
You might feel hopeful and protective at the same time. You want your child to belong, to try something new, to experience independence. And maybe you want a break, too. That’s okay.
But you might also be preparing for what could go wrong: sensory overload, social friction, misunderstood behavior, a call to come pick them up early.
You’re not overthinking. You’re parenting.
🧭 So... How Do You Navigate Camp Season?
Here’s what I share with families I coach—and what I remind myself as a parent of two neurodivergent kids:
✅ 1. The Right Camp > The “Best” Camp
The best camp is the one that truly sees your child.
Ask:
Can the staff meet my child’s needs with empathy and skill?
Are there opportunities for breaks or sensory regulation?
Do they value inclusion—or just offer it on paper?
✅ 2. Prepare the Camp—and Your Child
Create a short “About My Child” sheet that highlights strengths and support needs.
Role-play transitions, group activities, and asking for help.
Be honest with staff—not to warn them, but to equip them.
✅ 3. Redefine Success
Success doesn’t always look like a full session or a perfect bunk experience.
Sometimes success is:
Saying yes to trying something new
Making one real connection
Leaving early and still feeling proud
Getting invited back next year
✅ 4. Stay Open to What Might Go Right
Sometimes the things you feared most… don’t happen.
Sometimes the kid who struggles in school thrives in the open air and loose structure of camp.
Sometimes, your child finds their people.
Not every camp moment will be magical—but some might be. And those moments? They’re worth everything.
💛 You Know Your Child Best
Whether you’re ready to send them for two weeks or two hours, you get to decide what’s best for your child, your family, this season. That decision takes wisdom, not certainty.
At Sound Shore Coaching, I help parents walk through these big decisions with confidence. We talk about preparation, boundaries, communication with staff, and what to do if (and when) it doesn’t go as planned.
Because camp can be fun. It can also be a step toward growth—for your child and for you.
💬 Ready to feel supported this summer? Let’s talk.
