If your kiddo loves music, making art, dancing, or performing, these camps and classes are for them! Check them out here and watch the recording of our Facebook Live event, where we give you the lowdown on many of these awesome options! Be sure to also check out our lists of recreational camps and classes, sleepaway camps and family weekends, visual and performing arts camps and classes, therapeutic day camps, and education and STEM programs.
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!
While we are here to help you navigate the system, save you time, bring you clarity and confidence, and connect you with the best available information and resources, please be aware that Undivided does not officially endorse or represent any of the resources, providers, services, schools, or clinics we reference or suggest. For more information, please refer to the disclaimer at the conclusion of this report.
2512 Foothill Blvd.
La Crescenta, CA 91214
(818) 583-7134
Format: In-Person and Virtual
Blast is a safe learning space where children develop coping skills for stressful environments such as school or home. The owner, Katie Enney, Psy.D., is licensed by the Board of Psychology of the State of California. The staff consists of therapists working on hours toward their license, college students, and educators. Therapy takes place during play, with an emphasis on verbalizing feelings, maintaining friendships, handling frustrations, following instructions, and working on impulse control.
Program:
Ages: In-person: ages five to ten and eighteen to twenty-four Online: ages five to eighteen
Hours: Sessions are held at three different locations as well as online. (Note: The Altadena location will be changing in June. They anticipate a smooth transition but do not know where the new location will be at this time.)
Tuesday through Thursday 4:00 p.m.—5:30 p.m.
Session length and cost:
Blast is vendored through Lanterman Regional Center, San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center, and East Los Angeles Regional Center. If you belong to a different Regional Center, contact Katie Enney at info@blastprograms.org or (818) 583-7134 for details on how to apply for Regional Center funding.
11000 National Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Dr. Erika Rich is a trusted psychologist who offers summer social skills programs for kids. Contact her at (310) 749-6427 or erika@socialskillsgroup.com.
Format: In-Person Day Camp
The Summer 2022 Social Skills Camp’s aim is to offer physical movement along with emotional guidance and social skills growth under the leadership of experienced counselors. Daily themes include perspective-taking, emotion regulation, coping skills, executive functioning, flexible thinking, thinking traps, social problem-solving, and more. Children will be grouped by age at a 3:1 camper to counselor ratio with experienced therapists who receive advanced training and supervision with a licensed psychologist. Each week provides a different set of activities!
Dates: June 13 to June 17 June 20 to June 24 June 27 to July 1
Age range: Age five through the end of middle school
Hours: 8:45 a.m.—2:00 p.m.
Cost: $865 per week; full, nonrefundable payment is required to reserve a spot.
Lunch and snacks are not included. Early bird discount: Enroll by April 15, and your rate is reduced by 15% if registering for all three weeks of camp ($135 off each week of camp).
Registration: Begin the enrollment process HERE. Choose the "Camp" application.
5761 Buckingham Parkway
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 649-6199
The L.A. Speech & Language Therapy Center is a leader in providing comprehensive treatment and services to children with autism and other speech/language disorders. Started by Dr. Pamela Wiley in 1979, the center provides speech therapy, preschool, early intervention, social skills classes, Say ‘n’ Play Summer Camp, drama classes such as Drama Kings & Queens Social Skills, homework helpers, and more.
LA Speech & Language Therapy Center has not posted their summer plans, dates, and registration information yet. You may contact them directly for information in the coming weeks or check back here as we will update you all as the information becomes available.
Say ‘n’ Play Summer Camp: An intense speech program led exclusively by licensed speech-language pathologists (SLPs) is the center’s most popular and highly sought-after program for ages three to sixteen years old with speech and language delays, autism, and other developmental delays resulting in communication deficits.
Drama Kings & Queens Social Skills: Offered as a six-week summer intensive and weekly summer social skills program, each session is dedicated to facilitating social, emotional, speech and language development as well as building confidence in students ages five to fifteen with autism and other social-cognitive challenges.
5301 Beethoven St. Ste. 155
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 821-0963
Leaps n Boundz offers a variety of programs for youth and adults including therapy, swimming and gymnastics, and social skills programs. The programs are individually designed to enable individuals of all abilities to improve their quality of life. Leaps n Boundz plans on returning to in-person programs and classes this summer. While they are no longer offering a summer “camp,” their social skills classes are returning in-person, and they will be continuing their other programs as well. The dates and registration information will be available at the end of April for summer 2022. You may contact them directly or check back here as we will update you as information becomes available.
13130 Burbank Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91401
(818) 779-5103
Contact: Dr. Laurie Stephens
In 2021, The Help Group offered an in-person summer enrichment camp for kids ages ten to fifteen with autism and other social challenges. This “intimate camp experience,” based in Sherman Oaks, provided a fun, safe, and stimulating environment specially designed to promote social skills development, stress reduction, new friendships, and more. The camp was staffed with experienced counselors who incorporated evidence-based practices into the daily schedule. The Help Group shared that campers must be able to function independently in a group setting. Last year’s camp included teamwork building, mindfulness, stress reduction, friendship skills, outdoor games, creative arts, STEM activities, and field trips.
Dates: Week-long sessions, four different camp weeks to choose from. Dates for 2022 TBD.
Age Range: Ten to fifteen years old
Hours: 9:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
Cost: In 2021, camp cost $450 per week.
Registration: A short intake is required before a camper can be registered. To learn more about what will be offered and when for this summer, contact The Help Group directly, or check back here, and we will update you as information becomes available.
5870 W Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(213) 793-5495
Format: In-Person and Virtual
The Miracle Project is a fully inclusive program that combines theater, film, music, movement, and other expressive arts to allow individuals with autism, other disabilities, and all abilities to “develop social and job skills, enhance communication, increase self-awareness and confidence, ease anxiety, and find joy in experience.” Their mission is “to create a neurodiverse community where the voices, passions, and stories of individuals of all abilities belong and are celebrated, elevated, and supported.” The social skills, theater, and arts classes vary in age range, starting at age five and up. The Miracle Project has classes specifically designed for those who use an AAC device as well.
Program:
While they do not currently have their schedule and dates for summer Expressive Arts classes, they typically last around fifteen weeks.
The Social Skills classes, called "Improv for Interaction," operate on a rolling basis, so those will continue throughout the summer and can be joined at any time. Another set of classes that they teach are improv classes through another organization called Bright & Quirky. The Program Director, Hannah, has a video describing those classes here.
The following are general details for the Expressive Arts classes. Families may reach out directly to the Program Assistant Kate S., who will be happy to answer any questions and give details about the different classes.
Located in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills.
Social Skills Classes “Improv for Interaction”: The Miracle Project social skills classes use improv, theater games, and role-play to practice skills for positive social interaction. All social skills classes are ongoing.
Express Yourself (Age sixteen and up): An eleven-week online Expressive Arts class specifically designed for non-speakers and those who use AAC. Class developed by Darlene Hansen and Elaine Hall.
I Can Do That Professional Acting Training for Film & TV (Age sixteen and up): An online, professional-level acting class for film and television open to those of all abilities and experience.
Triple Threat (Age thirteen and up): A musical theater performance-focused class for individuals of all abilities and experiences.
Registration:
Cost:
The performing arts programs are approximately $35 per class. Social skills programs are $65 per class (partial scholarships available, see Scholarship Application); covered for Regional Center clients.
2716 Ocean Park Blvd. Suite 1065
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 869-4025
suzanne@socialfoundationsla.com
Format: In-Person
Social Foundations provides meaningful, practical, and in-depth social development for kids as well as substantive education for parents. It’s a supportive social learning community that helps students develop the skills they need to build and keep healthy connections. They offer social development groups (small, well-matched weekly groups), school-based social support, play facilitation, and more. We are highlighting the summer camp program, but they also offer ongoing Social Skills Groups weekly for ages six to thirteen.
Culver City Summer Camp: Social Foundations’ summer camp program provides a unique, positive experience for children and teens who need social learning support in a creative and fun environment. They “help kids build social success from the inside out.”
Dates: June 13 to July 29
Age Range: Five to fifteen
Hours: 9:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.
Cost:
Registration: Complete this form to register. They will be limiting enrollment; sign up early so they can ensure the best camp groupings. 1:1 aides are allowed.
1932 14th Street
Santa Monica, CA
(310) 344-2276
Buddy Bunch Program Director: Patty Martinez, MA
Format: In-Person
Therapy Place 4 Kids (formerly called OT 4 Kids) specializes in a variety of therapeutic treatments and programs. They feature an 8,000 square-foot center that creates a safe and inviting atmosphere for all children. In addition to occupational, physical, and speech therapy, they have years of experience holding social skills classes. Buddy Bunch, currently held in-person on Sundays, is offered to three different age groups. Each group is on a different curriculum based on Mo Willems and the Wellness curriculum.
Program: Buddy Bunch Social Skills
Each session is about ninety minutes, and they implement a structured lesson plan with sensory diet activities and social skills based on their curriculum.
Ages:
Hours:
Session length and cost:
They do have a waiting list, but if families are interested, they can continue to reach out to the program director, Patty, via email at pymart03@gmail.com.
760 Westwood Plaza, Room 27-384
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Clinic Coordinator: Rakhi Ratanjee
Format: Virtual
The Children’s Friendship Program assists elementary school children who have difficulty making or keeping friends through skill-building group sessions led by licensed psychologists. The program will be offered in summer 2022 with an early June start date.
Program: The program will be offered virtually for the foreseeable future. They will have more details regarding in-person or virtual offerings closer to June. The program meets once a week for twelve weeks.
Ages: Second to fifth grade First grade policy: Seven-year-old first graders may be accepted into the program starting April of their first grade year.
Hours: The current sessions times are as follows:
Session length and cost:
Regional Center: Please call the office to discuss Regional Center proceedings; they have been vendored with Westside Regional Center in the past.
760 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095
(310) 267-3377
Format: Virtual
UCLA offers a social skills training program known as the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®). The PEERS® program is “world-renowned for providing evidence-based social skills treatment to preschoolers, adolescents, and young adults with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, and other socio-emotional problems.” UCLA offers a wide range of PEERS® programs for all ages. In addition to the year-round social skills sessions, UCLA also offers boot camps held on weekends for such topics as conversations, dating, friendship, and handling bullying, all hosted at the UCLA campus. While these in-person boot camps are temporarily on hold due to COVID, they are offering PEERS® Virtual Boot Camps, open to all ages, which include thirty-five pre-recorded episodes covering all PEERS® skills. Parent participation is a key component to the success of the PEERS® programs.
Program: All programs are held via Telehealth on Zoom and meet once a week for sixteen weeks. Programs run year-round, and a couple of the programs will be starting in summer. The adolescent group may already be full as it has received a lot of interest, so reach out directly to UCLA regarding openings and possible waitlist opportunities.
Ages: Preschoolers group: ages four to six Teens/adolescent group: ages thirteen to seventeen Young adult group: ages eighteen to thirty-five
Hours: Varies based on the program
Session length and cost:
A word on possibilities and limitations: Undivided is here to help you navigate the system, save you time, bring you clarity and confidence, and connect you with the best available information and resources. We do not officially endorse or represent any of the resources, providers, services, schools, or clinics we reference or suggest. It is your family’s responsibility to investigate and ensure the safety, suitability, and best practices of any activity you undertake or any company or individual you choose to work with. Regarding COVID-19, Undivided encourages its members to monitor publicly available information and to always follow federal, state, and local health organization guidance and government mandates. We are not authorized to provide legal advice. Any information, documents, or communication provided or exchanged between Undivided and users of Undivided’s services does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship, nor is it covered by attorney-client privilege or confidentiality. If you need legal advice, please consult with an attorney. Ultimately, all care decisions must be made by you in concert with your child’s school district and their healthcare, insurance, and other service providers.
