MNIP - Summer Camp Resources
SEPAC
A News-brief about the Massachusetts Network of Information Providers for People with Disabilities
Brought to you by: DisabilityInfo.org
February 21, 2013
Summer Camp Resources
Your child's teacher, Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) and other parents are a great source of information and ideas for summer camp options. Local park and / or recreation departments may have weekly programs that offer inclusive activities for children. Some may have programs designed for children with special needs.
You can also call local chapters of major disability organizations about camps in your area. Many organizations publish lists of camps and can connect you with camp directors and former campers.
Also try religious organizations, other community groups, your local YMCA and Boys and Girls Club to find out about summer camp opportunities for your child.
Attend Camp Fairs
Framingham Special Education Parents Advisory Council (F-SEPAC), is sponsoring their 6th Annual Summer Camp and Recreation Expo at Framingham High School on March 3, 2013 from 12 - 3 PM.
Additional 2013 camp fairs are listed on SPED Child & Teen Massachusetts Special Needs Camp 2013 webpage.
Free Referral Service
Summer Camps & Trips Resources is a free referral service that matches child's needs with appropriate summer programs, overnight camps, day camps, teen trips, community service programs, specialty programs and programs for children with special needs. Serves ages seven to eighteen years of age. To find an appropriate summer program for your child, contact Judy Levine at (508) 877-3648 or (800) 362-2267, ju...@summercampsandtrips.com
Camp Guides
Summer Fun Camp Directory 2013
The Federation for Children with Special Needs provides this directory that lists links to over 200 camp web sites serving children with disabilities. Camps are sorted by specific disability types.
On-line Camp Search Engines & Resources
In addition to our List of camps at Disabilityinfo.org try:
- SPED Child & Teen Massachusetts Special Needs Camp 2013
This is a comprehensive guide to camps which are listed by Eastern, Central / Western & New England regions. Also includes inclusive February vacation activities and camp options. - Autism Speaks: Camps in Massachusetts
- NICHCY's Summer Camps for Children with Disabilities
Possible Financial Assistance Options
Check to see if your town's Recreation Department offers scholarships or sliding-scale fees for summer camps or programs.
Find out if your child qualifies for an extended-school year (ESY). An Individual Education Program (IEP) that includes summer goals may qualify for summer programming. For additional information about special education extended school year program go to Massachusetts Department of Education's web site.
- If you can prove that your child will be working on the skills outlined in his IEP at the summer program, the school district may pay for it. Talk to the school administrator early in the process if you will be asking for school district to cover some of your child's summer program.
You can help fund your child's camp experience by applying for a scholarship. It is best to do so from December - March, because the money is depleted by April or May.
Many disability specific organizations like Asperger's Association of New England, local autism support centers, United Cerebral Palsy, and Easter Seals may be able to provide some funding for its summer programs.
- The Autism Speaks Baker Summer Camp Scholarship Program application is due March 8, 2013. Contact local camp organization to submit application.
There are charitable organizations called fraternal organizations that may also provide financial assistance. View the following links to find a club near you: Lions Club, Elks Club, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis, Rotary Club.
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MNIP Database Training
There may be some people on your staff who would benefit from our MNIP training. It includes the use of the databases on-line and the use of all the resources to which you have access as MNIP members. If you or anyone at your organization would like to be trained for the first time, or would like a refresher on using MNIP resources, please contact Angie Aguirre at Angelica...@umassmed.edu
Joining the MNIP
If your agency is not yet a member of the MNIP and is interested in joining, or if you know of an agency that is interested, please direct it to our application page. There is no charge for membership in the MNIP. Members receive the MNIP newsletter; have access to a members' site with electronic tools to facilitate provision of information and referral; and participate at periodic trainings and conferences. An organization, which provides information and referral for people with disabilities at no cost to the public, is encouraged to apply for membership. If you have any questions, please contact Rebecca Olsen at Rebecc...@umassmed.edu
MNIP Funders
New England INDEX and the MNIP are funded by: Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, and Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
Getting in Touch with INDEX Staff
Name | Position | Phone Number | E-mail Address |
John Rochford | Director of Technology | ||
Amy Weinstock | Director of Autism Insurance Resource Center | ||
Angie Aguirre | Special Projects Coordinator / MNIP Newsletter Technical Editor | ||
Audrey Huntley | Information Acquisition Coordinator | ||
Becky Olsen | Information Specialist / MNIP Newsletter Editor | ||
Derek Chaves | Technical Project Manager | ||
Jonathan Gottlieb | Office Assistant | ||
Annie Cohen Freedman | Network Administrator | ||
Viet Do | Web and Database Developer |
About INDEX
New England INDEX is a program of Commonwealth Medicine, the University of Massachusetts Medical School, located at the Shriver Center in Waltham, Massachusetts.
Note: Archived issues can be found at http://www.disabilityinfo.org/Resources/MNIP/news/archive
Useful information about our Web sites and network members can be found within those issues.
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