Summer Camps for Children with ADHD

Summer camps designed for children with ADHD provide a structured environment that helps them thrive by establishing a consistent routine. These camps offer social skills training and group activities, enhancing their ability to interact with peers. With activities aimed at building self-esteem and lower camper-to-staff ratios ensuring individualized attention, these camps create a supportive and enriching experience for every child.

Here are some local and national summer camp options for children and teens with ADHD:

Pennsylvania Options

1. Camp Lee Mar (Lackawaxen, PA)

• Description: A co-ed sleepaway camp offering a structured environment with a wide range of activities, including swimming, sports, and arts. Camp Lee Mar focuses on social skills and confidence-building for children with special needs, including ADHD.

• Age Range: 7-21 years

• Website: Camp Lee Mar

2. Summit Camp (Honesdale, PA)

• Description: A sleepaway camp specifically designed for children with ADHD, Asperger's Syndrome, and other learning differences. The camp offers tailored programs to help improve social skills, independence, and self-esteem.

• Age Range: 8-19 years

• Website: Summit Camp

3. Camp Sequoia (Pottstown, PA)

• Description: A camp for boys with ADHD and social learning needs, providing social skills development through traditional camp activities like sports, arts, and outdoor adventures.

• Age Range: 7-17 years

• Website: Camp Sequoia

National Options

1. SOAR (Balsam, NC and other locations)

• Description: An adventure-based camp with a focus on outdoor activities like rock climbing, canoeing, and backpacking. SOAR aims to help children with ADHD develop self-confidence and social skills.

• Age Range: 8-18 years

• Website: SOAR

2. Summit (Maine)

• Description: Offers programs for children and teens with ADHD, learning differences, and anxiety. Many of their campers are experiencing difficulties within their family, school, and/or personal lives.

• Age Range: Teens

• Website: Summit Achievement

3.  Talisman Camps (Zirconia, NC)

• Description: Provides a structured environment for children with ADHD, offering activities like hiking, canoeing, and team-building exercises. The camp focuses on fostering independence and social skills.

• Age Range: 6-22 years

• Website: Talisman Camps

4. Camp Kirk (Ontario, Canada)

• Description: While based in Canada, Camp Kirk attracts many families from the US. It provides a supportive environment for children with ADHD, offering various activities designed to build self-esteem and social skills.

• Age Range: 6-13 years

• Website: Camp Kirk

5. Camp Pocono Trails

• Description: This camp is tailored for kids and young adults who want to address technology overuse or addiction. It emphasizes healthier, nature-based approaches to nutrition and physical activity, making it an excellent setting for those aiming to lose weight. Campers can attend with either or both of these goals in mind.

• Age Range: Kids and Teens (7-17 years) and Young Adults (18-21 years)

• Website: Camp Pocono Trails
  

For further reading and to validate the information shared in this blog, please refer to the following blogs:

1. Helpful podcasts and websites for parents of children with ADHD

2. The importance of testing for Learning Disorders in ADHD

3. The myriad of benefits of Omega 3 Fatty Acids

4. Benefits of Magnesium for ADHD, depression, anxiety, preventing dementia 

5. Correlation between Low iron levels and ADHD

6. Healthy weight-gaining ideas for underweight kids with ADHD 

7. How to handle Rebound Irritability when Stimulants wear off

8. Dietary Changes that help treat ADHD