CAMPS, CLASSES, COURSES
Often as a parent of a child with special needs, we can feel alone and don’t know where to look for help. We start googling and aren’t sure that what we see is going to work out for our family's needs. The RCS PAC continually collects and shares resources that have helped us. Here are some resources which we have found helpful in advocating for our children. We hope they make this sometimes daunting task a little less chaotic for you too.
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We do our best to keep these up to date but please do your own research. PAC is not responsible for any outcomes or experiences.
Provides camps and programs for children with special needs.
Provides summer programs provide a behavior-based educational summer experience for ages 4 through adult.
Middle and high school youth who play instruments are part of a performing ensemble tailored to youth with special needs.
Offers a variety of summer day camps for individuals on the autism spectrum ages 3 years old through Adult.
Summer camp for individuals ages 5 - 25 with special needs.
Resource listing special needs camps in Michigan.
Resource listing special needs camps in Michigan.
Camp Tall Tree provides a traditional overnight summer camp experience which aims to serve kids and young adults on the Autism Spectrum, as well as their siblings and neurotypical peers.
Offers a variety of interactive online and in-person summer camps.
Team GUTS offers several camp opportunities for children, teens and adults with special needs and disabilities. Camp themes all center on physical fitness, exercise and sports activities. Activities are especially important for the special needs community given the unique challenges they face in remaining fit. Experienced, caring staff works with campers to help them build self-confidence, create lasting friendships and try a variety of fitness and sports options. Goal is to provide a safe and inclusive place where fitness is fun and campers can be themselves.
FAR Therapeutic Arts & Recreation
FAR Therapeutic Arts & Recreation offers 4 exciting summer camps for individuals ages 5 and up with special needs and their siblings!
Middle and high school youth who play instruments are part of a performing ensemble tailored to youth with special needs.
​Lions Bear Camp offers camp experiences for the visually impaired and those with diabetes.
Special Days Camp is a one-week, residential camp program available to any child who had or currently has cancer. Partners Camp gives siblings their own week of carefree and action-packed summer camp. Provides a traditional camp experience for children with cancer and their siblings.
Dedicated exclusively to camps that serve individuals with one or more of a wide range of special needs. In-person, on-line, virtual camps.
YMCA Storer Camps offers Camp Catch-A-Rainbow (CCAR), free of charge, to enrich the lives of children between four and seventeen years old who are being treated for cancer or who are in remission from cancer.
Overnight camp in Michigan. The Spectrum Program is open to campers with an autism diagnosis 7-17 years old. The Siblings Program is open to neurotypical campers 7-13 years old. Siblings camper have a sibling with a diagnosis (not limited to autism ).
RECREATION
A Kid Again fosters hope, happiness and healing for families raising children with life-threatening conditions. They host year-round events to support these families while providing memories that will last a lifetime.!
Unique movie showings where they turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing!
The Daisy Project-MI, along with various partners, host fundraisers and community events throughout the year. They are passionate about making fully accessible recreational spaces in our communities where individuals with special needs can play and are committed to enriching the lives of families and individuals with special needs any way we can, including assisting with medical equipment, advocacy, and inclusion for all.
Provides recreational, social, educational and vocational programming.
The Miracle League baseball program is run in partnership with Easterseals and is open to children with any physical or cognitive disability.
An art studio uniquely designed to offer people living with disabilities the opportunity to explore the visual arts in an inspiring and innovative environment.
Rochester Avon Recreation Authority - Adaptive Programs
Adaptive programs for sport and recreation.
Troy Recreation Authority - Adaptive & ADA Accommodations
This specialized programming offers those with physical, cognitive, developmental, or other acquired disabilities the chance to fully participate in their community, with focus on health, wellness, and recreation for all.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Through the Council for Exceptional Children. Need a current IEP. Up to $250.
Children's Special Health Care
Up to $250 every other year.
Recipients must have a primary diagnosis of Autism. Up to $250 available.
OUCARES offers their own scholarship on a first come, first served basis if you attend camps and programs there.
If you attend RARA Scamp you can earn up to $125 towards camp by volunteering, donating raffle items or participating in the bowling fundraiser. Contact Lyndsey for details.
The Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Conference Scholarship
The Family Center is fortunate to be granted privately supported funds through the Children’s with Special Needs Fund (CSN Fund) which supports unique services and projects for children with special health care needs that are not provided by state or federal funds.
CAMP TALL TREE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Camp Tall Tree awards scholarships each year, based on need and availability of funds. The scholarship application is built into our regular online application for camp.
Michigan Council for Exceptional Children
This scholarship program is intended to provide support for educational/training opportunities when students are no longer eligible for special education (and Section 504) programs and services provided by public education (i.e., graduation or reaching 26 years of age). Awards can be granted up to $1,500 and would support anything from transportation, special equipment, tutoring, including tuition. These funds are intended to augment, not replace, funds available through other agencies.
The scholarship application is to be filled out by a parent or legal guardian, and will be used by MAP to determine eligibility for assistance. The information provided in this application will remain confidential and will be reviewed only by a Board Member of MAP.
Anybody who has a child diagnosed with autism, lives within the US and has an income level less than $75,000 per year for the entire household can apply to this grant. Before the grant is awarded, proof of ASD diagnosis from medical professional as well as IRS Tax forms indicating the household income need to be provided. Grant applications are accepted year round with no deadline. Grants are funded throughout the year and are determined by the funding available. (These grants are provided by the fundraising efforts of CARE Foundation team).
Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation
Requests for Scholarships are open in May. Registrations will only be accepted and responded to during those times. ASDF will need to know what type of scholarship you are applying for (camp, swimming, equestrian, etc.) and the cost. At that time, they will need documentation from your child’s doctor stating that they are on the Autism Spectrum.
Autism Care Today provides funding assistance to families throughout the United States on a quarterly basis. These grants are designed to provide access to individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders. Since 2005, Autism Care Today has helped more than 1,562 families and provided more than $1.85 million in grants.