One of my favorite memories as a child and young adult was going to camp every summer. From the time I was 11 until age 23, I attended Camp Barnabas in southern Missouri for a week every summer. Camp Barnabas offers 9 week long sessions for children ages 7 to 17 and their siblings and adults ages 18 to 40 with disabilities and chronic illness. Camp Barnabas activities include swimming, horseback riding, arts and crafts, rappelling, canoeing, and more.
Going to camp allowed me to meet many kids from around the country experiencing a similar situation and to have fun. My summer camp experiences provided a safe environment free of the possibility of judgement and intrusive questions. I had the opportunity to try a lot of activities I hadn’t previously had the opportunity to try like a high ropes course and horseback riding.
Being around other kids who were in my same situation was one of the best things for me emotionally. I also had the opportunity to use age appropriate social skills at camp. If you are interested in enrolling your child with disabilities in a summer camp program please visit:
https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/summer-camps-and-programs
Thank you!
Have a great summer!
-Adria
Leave a Reply