Summer Camp & Other Summer Program Ideas For Children With LD and/or ADHD

LDA of Michigan, Summer 2004  

Summer is coming. Finding good summer activities for children with learning disabilities and/or ADHD takes careful planning. For children who struggle in school the last school bell for the year is often welcomed. Parents and teachers, however, have different concerns. Teachers say, "Read each day this summer." Practice your writing." They know that over the summer many children will forget information taught during the school year. This is especially true for children who find school difficult.

Parents want to make certain children retain what has been learned. They also want children to have fun. More and more we are learning how important play is to children. It develops social skills, imagination, and abstract thinking. Children with learning disabilities often can show their strengths in games or non school related activities. And, parents need to find summer programs that meet real world work schedules. How can parents accomplish everything the school did each day. Parents must work.

Parents also must deal with issues of letting go. When a child has a disability this can sometimes be more difficult. "Can my child make friends in a new situation without me to help each day?" It is hard to navigate between protection and separation. Yet, as children learn they can be successful away from the parent they also achieve positive self-esteem.

Deciding on the best summer program for children with LD and/or ADHD requires planning. Many options exist. A child's strengths are important parts of the decision process. This is a time when children can build self esteem. Some children will need to make up some missed academics over the some. Others will want to learn new skills. Some may want to excel in arts, sports, or take new adventures.

Before you begin to plan talk with your children. Know their interests. Involve them, if at all possible, in the decision making process.

Here are some ideas:
Summer camps: We have provided a link to Kid's Camp. This is a national listing of camp programs for children with LD and or ADHD throughout the United States. Most camp programs will send you a brochure defining their services, costs, and any special education programs they may have. Read the brochures carefully. Try to determine the camps philosophy. Do they focus on providing rewards for skills learned? Do they foster active learning and an adventure experience? Are they based on competition or cooperation. Can parents visit?

residential camps
day camps
adventure camps
Summer camps from the National Camping Association has good information.
Tips for choosing a summer camp.
What to look for in a sleepaway camp.

Summer schools: Summer school programs are usually offered by most public schools. When considering these programs it is important to know what your goals are for the program. It is also important to know the level of instruction that will be presented, the goals of the summer program, and the general level of students who will be attending. For example, many students who fail classes during the school year often attend summer school. If a class is made up of primarily students who have not invested energy in learning during the year these may not be the behaviors you would like your child to learn to model over the summer. Other summer school classes are for students who wish enrichment. They want to know more about a subject area. Determine, as well, if the summer program has teachers who are trained to meet the needs of students with LD and/or ADHD.

enrichment
reinforcement
remedial
daycare learning centers
school/recreational day care programs

Extended School Year Programs (ESY): These programs exist in most school systems. They are provided for under federal funding. When students are expected to experience significant loss of skills learned during an academic program, special education programs have policies that provide ESY services. Children with Ld and/or ADHD often qualify for such programs. In some school systems ESY also extends the school day to include tutorial help. To find these check with you school's special education program director.