Exciting Camps and Activities for Summer 2023

While many camp programs make every effort to accommodate a range of special needs, these camps are dedicated to ensuring that people with special needs get to experience summer camps as fully as their peers through programs that are specifically designed to meet their needs.

Camp Beausite Northwest (Chimacum) 

With low camper-caregiver ratios and room for up to four wheelchairs per session, Camp Beausite works to make camp fully accessible for everyone. CBNW provides around-the-clock care and supervision; nursing care; meals; and programming that includes field trips and activities such as animal and horse experiences, arts and crafts, nature hikes, scavenger hunts, field games and archery. There are weekend, weeklong and family camp options.

Ages: 7–99; adventure camps 15–45

Cost: $300/person for families; $600 weekend camps; $1,200–$1,600 all others; eligible for respite funding

National Camps for the Blind (Mount Rainier) 

National Camps for the Blind partners with Sunset Lake and Christian Record Services to provide a camp experience for people who are visually impaired. Financial assistance is available through National Camps for the Blind and Christian Record Services. Dates: This camp is only offered June 25–July 2.

Ages: 9–45

Cost: $520 ($35 with financial assistance)

Deaf Camp (Mount Rainier) 

Sponsored by the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists at Camp Sunset, this camp will feature traditional camp activities and special programming for the hearing impaired. Volunteers fluent in American Sign Language will be present in each cabin and throughout the camp. Dates: This camp is only offered July 2–9.

Ages: 10–15

Cost: $200

Lions Camp Horizon (Blaine) 

At Lions Camp Horizon, teens and adults with disabilities can unwind, socialize and challenge themselves with new experiences. The staff-to-camper ratio ranges from 1-to-1 to 1-to-4, and nurses are on duty during these four-day camps. Participants are eligible for respite funding, and financial assistance is available.

Ages: 12+

Cost: TBA

Kiwanis Camp Casey (Whidbey Island) 

Camp Casey is a free weeklong summer camp for children with physical disabilities. Activities at camp include swimming, field trips, campfires, a dance, a talent show, a carnival, a parade, themed meals and more. Campers are given as little or as much assistance as needed to fully participate in all activities. Dates: This camp is only offered July 30–Aug. 5.

Ages: 6–17

Cost: Free

Camp Goodtimes (Vashon Island) 

Camp Goodtimes is a resident camp specifically designed to provide opportunities for personal growth and connection among children impacted by cancer (whether as patients or as siblings). Campers enjoy summer camp fun in a medically supervised environment.

Ages: 8–17

Cost: Free

Camp Erin (Everett, Seattle, Tacoma) 

Camp Erin provides a caring environment filled with activities to assist children and teens coping with loss. By engaging in a special combination of fun recreational and therapeutic activities along with supportive discussions, age-appropriate groups are given the opportunity to meet peers who have had similar feelings and experiences. This camp is only offered once each summer in each location.

Ages: 6–18

Cost: Free

Camp Leo for Children With Diabetes (Auburn) 

At overnight Camp Leo, kids won’t feel singled out for the daily disruptions of living with Type 1 diabetes, because all of the campers and many of the staff share their experiences. Each age-appropriate overnight camp features classic activities such as swimming and rock climbing, but with the addition of diabetes education and visits by guest speakers whose lives prove that having diabetes doesn’t stand in the way of success. Financial assistance is available. A family camp will be offered in the fall.

Grades: 3–12

Cost: Tiered pricing

Blue Compass Camps (Port Orchard) 

Blue Compass will not offer its usual four-day camp programs serving tweens and teens with autism (HFA) and ADHD at Crista Camps this year. Instead, it is hosting a family rafting trip with guides from Orange Torpedo in 2023. Each camper must be accompanied by at least one family member. Details of the trip are not yet finalized, but capacity will be limited, so contact Blue Compass early to get on the list.

Ages: 10–22

Cost: TBA

Music Works Northwest (Seattle) 

Music therapy is a powerful tool for working on social skills, impulse control, emotional regulation and teamwork with other neurodivergent peers. Music Works offers both full- and half-day in-person music therapy camps in the summer.

Ages: 4–18

Cost: $255–$525

Up next: Camps for Critter-Loving Kiddos