Children with autism do well in structured environments but may struggle once the school calendar ends. Luckily, there are several summer camps in New York that cater to them.
At these camps, the kids can learn a wide range of skill sets that often receive less attention during the school term.
Transitions Summer Camps
Camp Address:
2736 State Highway 30
Mayfield, NY, 12117 US
Phone- (518) 775-5384
Transitions offer a variety of summer programs to individuals with autism, nonverbal learning disabilities, ADHD, and other learning challenges. These individuals would otherwise be at home and prone to significant regression during the summer months.
At the camps, participants can learn various skills, such as:
- Executive functioning
- Leadership
- Self-advocacy
- Social relationship building
- Wellness
- Independent living
Transitions summer programs focus on students between the ages of 15 to 27. You can choose to either attend as a day scholar or stay overnight in dormitories with roommates.
Types of Transitions Summer Camps
- Summer Immersion Experience
This is a two to three-week readiness program for students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, and other learning differences, who want to proceed to college and stay alone or with roommates. The list of activities includes:
- College tours
- Visits to companies, studios, galleries, performance venues, and museums
- Group road excursions
- Exploratory Adirondack trips
- Social training
- Career Searching
- Academic preparation
- Independent living skills
- Artistic arts classes
- Weeklong Specialty Camps
Young adults can learn different aspects of independent living more comprehensively via a focused curriculum. At these camps, participants will learn:
- Problem-solving skills
- Creative thinking skills
- Experience Adirondacks excursion
- Outdoor trips
- Creative art classes
Isaacson Gordon Lodge
Camp Address:
653 Colgate Road
East Jewett, NY, 12424 USA
Phone- (518) 589-6000
The Katy Isaacson and Elaine Gordon Lodge is a one-of-its-kind summer resort for teens and adults with intellectual and developmental challenges.
At the lodge, you get to relax and have fun in a non-restrictive but supervised environment. The bordering Catskill Mountains, private lake, and earthy grandeur create the ideal vacation spot for visitors.
The Lodge offers 5 and 11-day vacations. Among these, there’s a session for young adults aged 18 to 29 and a session for teens aged 13-17.
Each session allows up to 70 guests. Each participant has free-of-charge access to chartered bus transportation. The guest-to-staff ratio is 3:1, ensuring personal attention to every participant.
At Isaacson Gordon Lodge, you can experience a wide range of fun-filled activities, such as:
- Swimming in a heated pool
- Boating rides on Lake Capra
- Dance sessions in hip-hop, contemporary, salsa
- Creative arts classes
- Music classes led by music aficionados
- Sports activities such as volleyball, baseball, basketball, races
- Ride on ponies around a paddock
- Evening activities happen on the last day of the camp. The activities include themed dances, game nights, carnivals, talent shows, fashion shows, and barn dances.
Adirondack Expressions Art Camp
Camp Address:
Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts
2736 State Highway 30
Gloversville, NY, 12078 US
Phone- (518) 661-9932
Bring out the budding artist in you by participating in a weeklong session at the Adirondack expressions art camp.
Young adults of ages 15 to 27 with autism and other learning differences can immerse themselves in different art forms at the magnificent Adirondack Mountains. Participants enjoy meals, activities, art classes, and accommodation in local supervised apartments at the Paul Nigra Center.
The average staff-to-participant ratio is 2:1, so participants can expect personalized attention. You will participate in different activities and social events, which will foster your individual talent, creativity, social interaction, and confidence.
You will attend two art classes daily and cover topics such as:
- Drawing
- Painting
- Music
- Theater
- Paper crafts
- Cooking
- Photography
- Woodworking
At the end of the weeklong session, there’s an exhibition where your parents, family, and friends can visit to see what art forms you’ve been working on for the entire week.
Camp Reece
Camp Address:
Camp Reece
1782 S. Johnsburg Road
Johnsburg, NY, 12843 USA
Phone- 212-289-4732
Camp Reece is a sleep-away camp based in the idyllic Adirondacks Mountains. It provides a completely immersive and appealing setting for individuals between the ages of 10 to 17 with disabilities. These individuals often need differentiated instruction and customized activities to ensure they participate entirely and successfully.
With a structured weekly schedule, you can take part in different programs, including:
- Arts: Graphic design, multimedia, organic gardening, culinary, and photography
- Adventure: Field excursions, high ropes courses, water sports, and whitewater rafting
- Sports: Soccer, swimming, biking, tennis, and more
Through these programs, you will not only experience fun. You will also build new skills, self-esteem, self-confidence, and social-emotional growth, which you will carry with you long past your time at Camp Reece.
Camp Green Tree
Camp Address:
409 E. 45th St.
New York, NY, 10017 United States
Phone- 212-867-9594
This is a neighborhood camp located right in the heart of the city. It offers an inclusive program for students with or without special needs to take part in traditional summer camp activities that incorporate academics, social skills, and practical language development.
The highly trained staff plan and coordinate theme-based sessions that intertwine reading, social skills, math, computers, music, art, park visits, soccer, swimming, and field excursions.
The Green Tree summer experience is open to students between the ages of 4 to 13. Students and activities are categorized into age-appropriate classes. A session can accommodate up to 50 students.
The Bottom Line
Don’t rush to sign up for any summer camp. You should first check their website, read customer reviews and interview the staff if you can. You could also visit the facility accompanied by your autistic child to see if it’s a good fit for their needs, interests, and personality.
Some of the important aspects you should be looking for are a low staff-to-camper ratio and the quality of the program.
If you are ready to work with the best ABA therapy provider in New York, give us a call at (732) 402-0297. Our dedicated team is ready to help and we will treat you like family
