Special Needs Summer Camps in Huntsville
It’s that time of the year again: school is getting out and now the fun begins, right? Finding fun and interesting things for kids to do is a big enough challenge during summer break, but, for parents of special needs children, the challenges are compounded by finding the right place and right activity for their children. This month’s column is meant to give you but a SMALL sampling of what area businesses and organizations are offering for special needs children this summer.
The activities are broken down by age group (Preschool: birth to 5; Elementary School: 5-12; Junior High & High School: 13-18). The following activities are just a few of your options for the summer. You will find more programs and activities in this amazing Summer Activities resource put together by the lovely people at Making Connections.
Preschoolers (Ages birth – 5)
UCP of Huntsville
View Website | Location | 256-852-5600
United Cerebral Palsy of Huntsville and the TN Valley are hosting summer programs for families that are clients this year. Please contact them directly for summer details.
Camp Merrimack
View Website | Location | 256-534-6455
Merrimack Hall is offering a half-day performing arts camp for children with special needs. These camps include music, theatre, dance, and visual arts. Classes are limited to 15 children per age group and spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The 3-7 year old age group runs 9 am to noon July 14 – 18. Tuition is minimal.
Elementary School Level (Ages 5-12)
UCP of Huntsville
View Website | Location | 256-852-5600
United Cerebral Palsy of Huntsville and the TN Valley are hosting summer programs for families that are clients this year. Please contact them directly for summer details.
Camp Merrimack (3-7 and 8-12)
View Website | Location | 256-534-6455
Merrimack Hall is offering a half-day performing arts camp for children with special needs. These camps include music, theatre, dance, and visual arts. Classes are limited to 15 children per age group and spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The 8-12 year old age group runs 1 pm to 4 pm July 14 – 18. Tuition is minimal. F
The Riley Center
View Website | Location | 256-882-2457
The Riley Center is offering two summer programs for children age 5 to 15. Sessions run 8 am to 12 pm Monday through Thursday, June 1 – 25 and July 6 -24. The Summer Enrichment Program (tuition $1125 per month; $2250 for both months) is aimed at children with high-functioning autism, Asperger’s, or PDD-NOS who needs academic and social communication skill instruction. Summer Intensive I Class Program (tuition $1300 per month; $2600 for both months) is for children who need individualized instruction. This program includes intensive language training and behavior intervention through ABA therapy, small group time, and social skills training.
Read our Riley Center School Spotlight HERE.
Cardinal School
View Website | Location | 256-772-4400
The Cardinal School is offering a half-day Academic Summer Camp for children kindergarten through high school. The program will incorporate reading, math, science, and social studies and feature arts and crafts, on-campus field trips, and water play. Daily/June 1 – July 31/8 am – noon; email rachael@cardinalschool.us for more information.
Junior High & High School Level (Ages 13-18)
The Riley Center
View Website | Location | 256-882-2457
The Riley Center is offering a Pre-Vocational Program for children ages 12 – 18. Students receive ABA therapy, small group time, and community/pre-vocational training through field trips and outings. Instruction is individualized. The program is Monday – Thursday and runs June 1-25 and July 6-24. Tuition is $1300 per month or $2600 for both sessions.
Read our Riley Center School Spotlight HERE.
Cardinal School
View Website | Location | 256-772-4400
The Cardinal School is offering a half-day Academic Summer Camp for children kindergarten through high school. The program will incorporate reading, math, science, and social studies and feature arts and crafts, on-campus field trips, and water play. Daily/June 1 – July 31/8 am – noon. Email rachael@cardinalschool.us for more information.
Jennifer Kelly grew up in the Birmingham area, but migrated to Huntsville for graduate school and put down roots after meeting her husband, Jamie. In addition to being a mom to her two boys, she is a tennis ninja, trivia nerd, freelance editor, and aspiring writer. You can visit her at The Sir Barton Project, a blog about her upcoming book.