When investigating options for summer camps for kids, special needs parents should follow these three steps to ensure they find the best summer camp program to suit their children's tastes and interests.

Step 1: Choose the Type of Camp

• Day Camp
  Programs: Determine if the camp focuses on just one area of interest (art, nature, math, sports, history) or offers a range of activities.
  Duration: Can vary from a week to the entire summer. If you are working, make sure to ask whether camp is in session around summer holidays like Independence Day and Labor Day.
  Cost: Day camps tend to be less expensive than resident camp. Weekly costs vary from $75 to $500, and some day camps-such as a church vacation Bible school-may even be free. Ask about scholarships, subsidies, and financial aid. How flexible is the payment schedule? Do you still have to pay for camp if you go on vacation or take a day trip? In addition, day camp fees are eligible child care expenses and can be included toward the child care tax credit when you are filing your federal tax forms. (Be sure to get your camp's tax ID number while your child is attending).
  Pros and Cons: Day camps give your child a chance to be with other nurturing adults while still returning home every evening. One drawback is fitting drop-offs and pick-ups into your daily schedule.

• Residential Special Needs Camp
  Programs: Camps designed for children of special needs can be need-specific or cater to a variety of special needs children.
  Duration: While some residential camps are offered on a weekly basis, others may have longer minimum stays, such as two weeks, four weeks, or even eight weeks.
  Cost: Costs for residential camps run between $200-$500 per week, special needs camps may cost more because of the specialized personnel and facilities required. Ask about camperships, subsidies, and financial aid. Are payment plans offered? Are there additional fees for equipment, field trips, and optional activities?
  Pros and Cons: At special needs camps, your child will have the opportunity to meet other children with similar challenges. They can learn more about their condition and build their self-esteem as they learn what they and others like them are capable of doing. Being away from home at night is a big step for kids.

• Mainstream Residential Camp
  Programs: Camp programs can be general, with crafts, swimming, hiking, and nature study, or targeted to specific interests like ballet, soccer, robotics, fishing, or leadership. If your child has a favorite sport or hobby, chances are there is a camp devoted to that area. There are also camps for members of organizations like the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H, and the YMCA.
  Duration: Residential camps may offer weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly sessions, or even have programs that last for the entire summer (typically eight weeks).
  Cost: While many residential camps run $200 to $500 per week, some camps may run more than $1,000 per week, depending on the activities offered. Are camperships, subsidies, or financial aid available for families? Is there a discount for families with more than one child attending camp? Are payment plans available? Are there additional fees for equipment, optional activities, or field trips? 
  Pros and Cons: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires all camps to make reasonable accommodations for children of special needs. As with day camps, you can find resident camps for every interest. One benefit of a mainstream camp is that it may help your child feel like a "regular kid." On the other hand, if she is the only child at camp with a disability, she may feel awkward.

Step 2: Narrow Down Possibilities for Summer Camp Programs

The following websites offer camp listings sorted by a number of search criteria, including region, state, religion, gender, session length, and special needs inclusion. You can also check with your school district, specific special needs associations, as well as your child's physician or therapist for additional recommendations. Your local newspaper may have a special section devoted to local day camps and summer programs.
www.acacamps.org
www.kidscamps.com
www.veryspecialcamps.com
www.mysummercamps.com
www.campchannel.com
www.easterseals.com

Step 3: Ask Questions and Evaluate Summer Camp Programs

Jane Carr, regional camp director of Easter Seals of Central California, offers the following checklist for parents of special-needs children to use when evaluating camps: 

• Is the camp accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA)? ACA accreditation ensures that camps meet recognized requirements for safe programs.
• What are the camp's philosophy and goals? Talk to the camp's director about the camp and your expectations for camp. Will the camp provide the kind of experience you and your child desire?
• What are the camp's health and safety procedures and facilities? Is there a registered nurse in residence? What emergency arrangements have been made with nearby hospitals? How do they handle daily medications, medical treatments, and therapies?
• What kind of training and experience do the directors and counselors have? Do the camp directors and counselors have experience working with children who have similar disabilities to those of your child?
• What is the ratio of counselors to campers? For children with severe disabilities, the ratio should be at least one counselor for every two to three campers.
• What is the return rate of campers and counselors? A low rate for either group may be a bad sign.
• Can you provide me with references of other families who have attended this camp? The camp director should be willing to provide these, and parents should follow up on them.

Following these three steps should help you arrive at a decision about the best camp for your child.