It is already almost May, and I know you've been thinking about this summer since.... well, last summer! Whether your child is still in school but doesn't qualify for ESY services, or they are out of school all-together, it's hard to find things to keep them busy and help them maintain skills over the summer. I hope that this compilation will help you plan an enriching and stress-free (or at least less stressful) summer for your kiddo!
Shannon Pugh
Director of Arise Special Needs Ministry
Irving Bible Church
DAY CAMPS (sports & art camps listed further down)
Altruistic Ages: 5 -22 Dates: all summer (you can select specific weeks) Times: Monday-Friday from 9-3 with extended care available Location: Irving Bible Church & TBD location in Mansfield/Arlington
Emma's House Ages: 13 & up Dates: all summer (you can select specific weeks/days) Location: Irving
Green Oaks Summer Camps Ages: 7 & up Dates: June 17-21 and July 22-26 Times: Mon-Fri 9:00-3:00 Location: Arlington
Callier Center Camps (speech/language/social) Read to Succeed - pre-k to 4th grade Summer Language Intervention - grades 1st-6th Camp Interact -1st-5th grade Cochlear Implant Listening - ages 4-11
various dates, times & locations
Starla Center Ages: 13 & up Dates: June 3 - Aug 13 Times: Mon-Fri from 9-3 (extended care available) Location: Keller
Bachman Rec Center (Activity 363403) Ages: 5-22 Dates: weekly June 10 - Aug 2 Times: Mon-Fri from 8-5 Location: Northeast Dallas
It's a Sensory World Ages: children 2 & up Times: Mon-Fri 9:00-4:00 for 8 weeks Location: Farmers Branch
H.E.R.O.E.S Ages: 3 & up Dates: June 17-July 26 Times: Mon-Fri 9:00-4:00 with extended care Location: Richardson usually fills up fast - get on their email list
Camp SOAR Dates: 6 week from June-August (individual weeks available) Times: Mon-Fri from 10-3 (part-time available) Location: Grapevine
Variety Camps
Various dates, times and locations based on disability and age
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
These are for varying ages and abilities; some are inclusive and some have a separate program for individuals with special needs.
Contact each church for details.
Ages: 7-12 Dates: June 24-28 Times: 1:00-4:00 Location: Dallas Museum of Art
Starcatchers Classes & Camps Dance Workshop
June 5 - Aug 7
Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 Musical Performances
Various weeks & locations
2:00-5:00 Summer Showtunes
June 27 - Aug 24
Thursdays from 6:30-8:00
Is money an issue? Contact us for scholarship opportunities.
OVERNIGHT CAMPS (many of these may be full,
but you could get on a wait list for next year!)
Charis Hills
Ages 7-18
Located about an hour northwest of DFW
SEEK Camp
Ages 9 and up
Different locations based on age (Fun fact: I've been a counselor at the "Young Adult" camp since I was 15!)
Camp Summit
Ages 6 and up
Different weeks split by age and needs
Located in Paradise, TX (about an hour from Irving)
Easter Seals
Camp Buckaroo -ages 6-14 including siblings
Camp Smiles - ages 6-14 with cerebral palsy
Camp MOST - Camp Smiles graduates
Located near Houston
Texas Lions Camp
Various ages & weeks depending on needs
Located in Kerrville (outside San Antonio)
