Summer Survival 2023

It might not be too late for camp! Camps start on different dates, and you might get lucky and still snag a spot. Summer programs can be an invaluable source of growth and development for our kids, supplementing what the school district has to offer, such as extended school year (ESY), and providing enrichment once school is out for the summer. The Undivided Research Team has put together a list of camps and classes that 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! We even have an accessible family camp list for daytime or overnight fun. Check out our great lists here, which have something for everyone, whether you are seeking just a few hours a week or a full-day program, we’ve got you covered. (This list was created for summer 2023.)

• Summer2023: Sleepaway Camps & Family Weekends
• Summer 2023: Visual and Performing Arts Camps and Classes
• Summer 2023: Social Skills Camps & Classes
• Summer 2023: Therapeutic Day Camps
• Summer 2023: Recreational Camps and Classes
• Summer 2023: Education and STEM Camps and Classes

Takeaways

• There is something here for everybody. We found camps across a range of subjects and formats, from physical activity to STEM to improv, so focus on your child’s strengths, preferences, needs, and interests to find the right match.
• Camp at home! Some camps, such as the ASTEME Learning Center and Bloom OT, send out supply boxes of supplemental materials with different themes — or, in the case of ASTEME, mystery activity boxes — that your camper can look forward to using at camp (and which you won’t even have to think about providing!).
• Reframe the summer as an experiment. “Instead of using this time to shore up deficiencies, use this as a blank slate to explore and expose your child to their interests,” recommends Debbie Steinberg Kuntz, Marriage and Family Therapist. Kuntz collaborated with Dr. Temple Grandin on how to approach this summer’s unique challenges. They recommend working with your child to create a schedule that helps broaden and expand what being at home means. Share with your child that this entire summer is an “experiment.” Ask your child, “What do you think we should add to this experiment to help you to get the outcomes you want this summer?"
• Find ways to stay social. For kids who want to be social, but large groups feel intimidating, there are virtual options that allow socialization in a way that connects them with other kids with similar interests. For instance, check out an Outschool class that connects children with similar passions. Try telling your child, “Let’s run an experiment. Let’s find the people who like to do what you do online (such as LEGOs, painting, etc.). Let’s try it once and see what works.” Online improv classes are another fun way to broaden social skills in a format that feels like play.

We’re all itching to get out there and enjoy the summer, but if you’re wondering about how to keep your kids working on developing skills while still enjoying all that this season has to offer, we’ve got you covered.

• Play these memory and control-building games from our article Tips for Building Better Emotional Regulation.
• Explore cheap and easy activities to keep kids engaged, progressing, and — most importantly — outside in our article on Moving and Learning at Home.
• Learn all about functional life skills! To help our kids gain independence with their morning rituals, read our article Getting Ready for the Day. Learn about money, ordering, budgeting, communication, and more by setting up and enjoying a pretend restaurant in our article, Budgeting, Diner Style!
• Teach kids about their disability to help them build self-confidence, self-discovery, and advocacy. Check out advice from an expert about how to talk to kids about disability in our article Disability and Medical Advocacy, and for deeper conversation, check out these great Kids' Resources on Disability Awareness and Acceptance that can help spark a discussion about disability acceptance and self-advocacy! If you’re searching for some advocacy books for yourself to read this summer, check out our article filled with resources for parents!

We’re focusing on getting out of the house and exploring the beauty (and affordability!) of the great outdoors. Whether that means a weekend in nature, a staycation to just get out of the house, a road trip, or a local museum day — we've gathered some options to help you break up the groundhog-day routine!

• If you have a projector, a backyard movie night is a special treat your children can look forward to all week. Find some good films or tv shows to screen in our Kids’ Resources on Disability Awareness and Acceptance.
• Explore this user-updated Google map which is a great reference for the most up-to-date information on beaches that provide wheelchair accessibility.
• Visit a state or national park with a discount pass.
• Traveling by RV can give your family the freedom of the open road while staying safe and enjoying the comforts of what feels like home. If you have a motorhome, and your gear...where are you headed? (Hot tip: if you're really open to adventure, seasoned RVers tell us to check the app Free Roam for a comprehensive map of camping and boondocking sites, and Hipcamp where you can find and book tent camping, RV parks, cabins, treehouses, and glamping.)
• Explore this list of Open State Park Campgrounds, regularly updated by the State Parks Department, which provides information about which sites are open. Check out this website for wheelchair-accessible campgrounds, beaches, state parks, picnic areas, and more.

Find more activities in our article Accessible Outdoor Activities in California for all the information!