Recreational Resources for Children with Special Needs
The following resources contain a lot of useful information on traveling with a special needs child. Whether you are traveling across town or across the country or the ocean, we are sure that you will find some helpful tips. We've also added resources for summer camps and programs.Travel Resources:
Access-Able Travel Source
This site offers information about access and travel around the world for persons with disabilities.
Access Unlimited
This site's DisAbility Link Barn has links to information and sites for all kinds of travelers, including bed and breakfasts and medical assistance for travelers.
Philadelphia Office:
100
N. 20th Street
Suite 201
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-977-8830
215-977-8228 (FAX #)
Pittsburgh
Office:
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
One
Children's Hospital Drive
4401 Penn Avenue
AOB, 2nd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
1-877-KID-VENT
Family Village
This site integrates information, resources and communication opportunities on the Internet for persons with mental retardation and other disabilities, for their families, and for those who provide them services and support.
Sprout
A New York based organization dedicated to assisting individuals with developmental disabilities and special needs to have a safe travel experience.
Summer Camps and Fun Programs:
PA Ventilator Camp
Camp Victory is located in Millville, PA. Contact Robin Kingston, MSN, CRNP, at 717-531-5337 or check out their website at www.pedsvent.net for more information.VACC Camp
Ventilator-Assisted Children's Center (VACC) Camp treats families with children dependent on oxygen, a tracheostomy, ventilator, C-PAP or BiPAP to a week of fun and adventure in Florida in the company of their peers. Interested parents should contact camp director, Dr. Moises Simpser or Camp Coordinator, Bela Florentin, at 305-662-8222 to verify eligibility and request an application. You can also visit their website at www.vacccamp.com.Camp Pelican
Lion's Camp, Leesville, LA. Contact Cathy Allain, 985-764-0343 or visit the camp's website at www.camppelican.org.Camp Variety for Kids
Camp Variety offers outdoor recreational and swimming facilities for children with special needs and their siblings. Kids have the opportunity to participate in various arts and crafts, special programs, adaptive sports, song, dance and swimming. There is no charge, but campers must provide their own transportation to the camp in Wexford, PA. Ages served 6-18 years. Call 412-747-2680 for more information.CHAMP Camp
Camp for children and adolescents, ages 6 and up, who have tracheostomies and/or require any type of ventilatory support. The camp is located in Ashley, OH, which is just north of Columbus, OH. Camp is usually held for a week in June. Interested parents should contact Jamie Mitchell at (317) 679-1860 for more information, or visit their website at www.champcamp.org.Carnegie Science Center
The Carnegie Science Center has a variety of summer programs for all ages--both full-day and half-day camps. There is a fee. To find out more about what camps are available, contact the Carnegie Science Center at (412) 237-1637 or 1-877-975-6787, or visit their website at www.carnegiesciencecenter.org.Easter Seals Summer Camps
Easter Seals of Western Pennsylvania provides a variety of full-day and half-day summer camp programs for childrena snd young adults with disabilities. To find out more about programs in your area, contact one of these Easter Seals offices:Easter Seals Western Pennsylvania Corporate Office:
1-800-587-3257Easter Seals Cambria/Somerset Division Office:
(814) 535-5508Easter Seals Venango Division Office:
(814) 437-3071Light the Way Camp
Children's Harbor, Alex City, AL. Contact Kara Bishop at 205-370-9605 or visit the camp's website at www.ventkidsofalabama.com.Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center
As a nationally recognized pediatric facility, the Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center provides family-centered education and therapy programs for infants, children and adolescents with disabilities and developmental delays.
www.schreiberpediatric.orgTrial's Edge Camp
Camp Fowler, Mayville, MI. Contact Mary Buschell, RRT at 231-228-3371 or visit the camp's website at www.umich.edu/~tecamp/.Camp Inspiration
Double H Hole in the Woods Ranch, Lake Luzerne, NY. Contact Tara Bogucki at 518-696-5676 or viist the camps website at www.doubleranch.org.Fresh Air Camp
Camp Cheerful, Strongsville, OH. Contact Kathy Whitford, MSN, RNP, at 216-721-7159 or visit the camp's website at www.freshaircamp.org.
Delaware Valley Programs:Academy of Community Music Services
This music and education program is located in Fort Washington, PA. Fee is based on a sliding scale. Call 215-233-3020 for more information.Camelback Adapted Ski Program
Based out of Philadelphia, the group skies at Camelback. Fee is on a sliding scale and skier must provide own transportation.Children's Lekotek of Southeastern Pennsylvania
A play resource center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital's Ford Road Campus. Serves children with special needs, ages birth to 14 years, and their families. Offers adaptive toys, relaxed play sessions, computer classes, computer camp, and a toy lending library. Annual membership; scholarships available. Call 215-578-3616 for more information.Houseman Recreation Center
Primarily serves children in the Northeast Districts of Philadelphia and offers several programs for children with disabilities, including a Saturday morning sports program in the Fall and Spring, and a three day a week summer camp. There is a fee; bus transportation is provided for day camp. Call 215-685-1240 for more information.Kardon Institute of the Arts for People with Disabilities
Individual and group music, dance therapy, and education for children, teens and adults with disabilities. Programs are available in South Philadelphia, West Philadelphia, Northeast Philadelphia, Germantown, Jenkintown and Doylestown. Services provided at reduced fee based on financial need. Contact 215-637-2077 for more information.Western PA Programs:
The Woodlands
The Woodlands offers a variety of activities for children and young adults with disabilities. In addition to the full-accessible activity center, arts center, pool and dining hall, there are 32 acres of barrier-free woods and open areas that include a nature trail, amphitheater, playing field, sports court, and an adaptive Par-3 golf course. The Woodlands offers year-round programs, including weekend retreats, aquatic programs, golf, and music and sports camps. There are fees for some activities. For more information call (724) 935-6533, or visit their website at www.woodlandsfoundation.org.The Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (CLO)
The CLO offers a program called New Horizons which provides children and adults with physical or developmental disabilities the opportunity to take center stage in fun-filled acting, dance and vocal classes. For more information about New Horizons, please call 412-281-2234.
