Summer programs, whether in person or virtual, can be an invaluable source of growth and development for kids. Not only can they help fill the looming months ahead and any gaps still lingering from the previous school year, but summer camps and classes can also supplement what the school district has to offer, such as extended school year (ESY).
So what’s out there to give our kids the opportunity to make peer connections, improve social skills, have fun while learning through STEM activities and visual and performing arts, and get some physical activity to boot? Check out our great lists here, which have something for everyone!
Summer 2022: Recreational Camps and Classes
Summer 2022: Sleepaway Camps and Family Weekends
Summer 2022: Social Skills Camps and Classes
Summer 2022: Therapeutic Day Camps
Summer 2022: Education and STEM Programs
Summer 2022: Visual and Performing Arts Camps and Classes
We've put together a guide for how to find the best camp for your child: questions to ask, funding options, and what camps legally have to provide.
And don’t forget that since Regional Center restored social and recreational funding, they can now help pay for summer programs (and support in accessing them). Our Public Benefits Specialist, Lisa Concoff Kronbeck, tells us, “Although funding was restored last summer for social recreation and camping, many regional centers are not adequately prepared to fulfill these funding requests, largely due to a lack of vendored providers. Every Regional Center should have a list of vendors on its website. If you know which program you want your child to attend and it’s not on the list, now is a good time to reach out and find out if they are willing to go through the vendorization process. Another option is to look at vendor lists for other nearby Regional Centers and see if anyone on their list is local to you.” You can read more in our article, Regional Center’s Social-Recreational Funding Is Back!
