KIDS: Special Needs Fun Stuff Main Page

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Special Needs
 
 
 
 
 
Notice: The resources on this page, including businesses, commercial enterprises, organizations and groups, are provided as a service to parents. Their inclusion does not mean that they are endorsed by this website or by the State of Connecticut. Information is posted as it is received from the resources themselves. We do not post links to sites with political or social agendas. Parents and teachers should contact any resource(s) of interest to determine if they are suitable and appropriate for their children or students. An on-site visit or trial issue is recommended as part of the selection process. Please contact the resource(s) for any additional information, not ConneCT Kids.
 
 
Summer Camps and Programs
       
   Birthday Parties - and More
 
 
 
Fishing - Would you like to go fishing, but don't know places that are special needs friendly or accessible. Well, there is a book written by Bobbi Kurman, a member of the Connecticut Council of Trout Unlimited, Fishing without Falling in Connecticut, A Guide to Finding Places to Fish for Anglers who Require Easy Access to Lakes and Streams, that can help you find a great fishing spots close to home.
 
State Parks - Want to visit a State Park or State Forest but don't know which ones have accessible parking, picnic tables, campgrounds or restrooms? The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has a listing on their website that can help you pick jsut the right place for your outdoor fun including beach wheelchairs and accessible fishing platforms http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=325078.
 
Annual Wheel-A-Thon -  The annual Wheel-A-Thon to benefit youth with disabilities takes place at Savin Rock Conference Center, 5 Rock St., West Haven. The Wheel-A-Thon is the annual community fundraiser for the Center for Disability Rights’ youth programs. Participants include individuals and teams that raise money by collecting donations or pledges for walking or pushing themselves in a wheelchair over a 1.5-mile course along the West Haven shoreline. It is non-competitive, low-intensity and low-pressure. It is geared at raising awareness of barriers in the community that prevent the inclusion of people with disabilities in the every day life of their community. Most of all, CDR's Wheel-A-Thon is about having fun. http://wheel-a-thon.org/


Doreen's Dance Center - Adaptive Dance Classes. Doreen’s Dance Center believes that music and dance is something wonderful that should, and can, be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of physical, emotional, or mental disabilities.  It is with great pleasure that we embark on classes specifically designed for students with special needs.  These classes are for those with Down Syndrome, Autism, Asperger’s, and any physical or emotional disabilities preventing one from participating in traditional dance classes.

Doreen's Dance Center
711 Middletown Road, (Rt 16 @ Rt 149)
?Colchester, CT 06415
860-267-7756
info@doreensdancecenter.net
www.doreensdancecenter.net/#!adapted-dance-1/zlobi
 
 
Museums - Did you know that there are over 700 museums in Connecticut? Did you know that there is a website that gives you reviews of Connecticut Museums, reviews that include information about suitability for children and special needs children. Connecticut Museum Quest, created by Stephen Wood, the father of a son with a genetic anomaly called Smith-Magenis Syndrome, this website is the best resource for parents looking to spend a day at the museum with their children.
 
Stepping Stones Museum
 
The Spepping Stones Museum in Norwalk CT frequently has special needs days with activities designed for your child. http://www.steppingstonesmuseum.org/
 
Mathews Park, 303 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06850
203 899 0606
Easy to get to! Exit 14 N or 15 S off I-95
Open Daily, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
 
Summer Camps and Programs
 
Listing by Name
 
 
 
 
Listing by Focus
 
Asperger's, High-Functioning Autism, ADD/ADHD and PDD-NOS
     
            
Blind, Low Vision     
         
BurnsArthur C. Luf Children's Burn Camp
                       
Cancer, Sickle Cell Anemia, and other serious illnesses 
    
 
         
Deaf and Hard of HearingCamp Isola Bella
            
Developmentally Disabled    
           
Emotional, Behavioral, Social, and Learning Challenges 
         
Language Based Learning Disabilities
 
                         
Physical and Intellectual disabilities 
    
 
         
 
 
Oak Hill offers two camps, specifically designed for people with disabilities. The camps, located in Waterford, CT and Amston, CT are packed with adapted recreational activities such as swimming, hiking and boating. Each camp is set in a beautiful natural location with fully accessible amenities.

Camp Choices: Oak Hill Camp at Harkness State Park - Residential summer camp set on the Connecticut shore line. Campers include youth and adults with developmental, intellectual, physical and sensory disabilities, including visual impairments. For more information about camp, please contact Jillian McCarthy by phone at 860.228.0393 ext. 4068, or email at jillian.mccarthy@OakHillCT.org.

Easter Seals Camp Hemlocks - Residential summer camp set in the peaceful woods of Amston, CT. Campers include youth and adults with developmental, intellectual, physical, and sensory disabilities, including visual impariments. For more information about camp, please contact Jillian McCarthy by phone at 860.228.0393 ext. 4068, or email at jillian.mccarthy@OakHillCT.org.

To sponsor a camper or make a gift please donate online or contact Ruth Hayes, Chief Development Officer at ruth.hayes@OakHillCT.org or via telephone at 860.769.3834. Camp Registration

 
 
Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is a nonprofit, year-round center serving children and their families coping with cancer, sickle cell anemia, and other serious illnesses. Through summer sessions and family weekend programs at the Camp in Ashford, Connecticut, and year-round outreach to hospitals and clinics throughout the Northeast, the Camp will serve 20,000 children and their families. All services are free of charge.
At the core of all of our programming is our signature summer program. Seven glorious week-long sessions in Ashford, Conn. that serve seriously ill children and one additional week dedicated to their healthy siblings. Campers aged 7 – 15 ride horses, create crafts, swim and so much more, as they bond with other children facing similar challenges and learn they are capable of so much more than they ever thought possible.
 
Camp Horizons - Summer Camp & Weekends in the Country - Fun and friendship fill the air during Horizons’ Summer Camp and Weekends in the Country overnight camp opportunities!  These two camp options are offered for children and adults who have developmental disabilities and are between the ages of 8 and 39 (campers who are 40 and up attend our Masters Program). Like other traditional sleep-away camps, Horizons provides a wide variety of enriching and rewarding experiences uniquely designed to promote each camper’s success. 

SUMMER CAMP - Since 1979, Horizons Summer Camp has been a breath of fresh air for campers and their families. Offered for eight weeks each summer, our camp allows campers to explore horseback riding, swimming, boating, arts, fitness, drama, pioneering, music, language arts, movement and dance, physical education and more with the help of engaging and well-trained instructors. Campers and counselors bunk together in comfortable cabins. Campers ride horses at the riding ring with tack house and enjoy the arts & crafts, woodworking and pottery barn. Acres of trees and open space provide the setting for a waterfront with a sandy beach, docks and boats.

WEEKENDS IN THE COUNTRY - Weekends in the Country are offered from September to May. These action packed, theme based weekends are developed by our creative team and filled with fun and friendship. Campers arrive on Friday evening and return home Sunday afternoon. Sixteen uniquely themed weekends are conducted through the year with an extended Vacation Week held at year’s end between Christmas and New Year’s. Every Weekend in the Country sees campers enjoying the same variety, camaraderie and opportunities for learning provided by summer camp only in an intimate, joyful two-day span.
 .
127 Babcock Hill Rd. South Windham, CT 06266. Phone: (860) 456-1032; Fax: (860) 456-4721. Website: http://www.horizonsct.org/camp-horizons
 
Asperger's, High-Functioning Autism and PDD-NOS

Summer Retreat 2017 has some exciting new elements! This year, in addition to our two week retreat, July 29, 2017 - August 12, 2017, which offers programs to participants ages 10 and up, we are offering a three day family retreat! The Family Retreat is open to family members and participants of Summer Retreat 2017 as well as to families of children who are still too young to attend our two week residential program. Runs from August 4 - August 18.  Contact Jacqueline Alexander, MA., LPC, NCC at 860-408-1595 or visit her website at www.jackiealexander.com
 
 
Summer Camps & Programs - We offer a day camp with a 1:2 camper to counselor ratio  for children ages 5-12 and overnight camp programs with a 1:1 ratio for children and teens ages 7-17. We have a traditional overnight camp - our Navigators program - in which most campers begin their Starfish experience. For our campers ages 14+, we offer the Older Camper Program (OCP), designed with additional choice and privileges and the leaders program, designed to help teens build their self- and group-leadership skills. For campers looking for a bit of extra adventure, our Beachcombers program includes hiking, canoeing, off-site trips, cooking over the campfire, and rustic tent living. We also offer 1-week-or-less specialty camps (we call them our Crescent Camps) including Sibling Camp and, for our youngest first-timers, Cove. For most of our camp programs, entry ends between the approximate ages of 14-15. However, for teens already participating at Starfish, our three SOAR programs offer continuing growth in leadership, personal development, and work skills through the age of 17 and in some cases, beyond. Our TIDES program is a transitional independence program for older teens and young adults. We also offer Camp Havvago (a 5-day "try it" camp for children on the Autism Spectrum, in collaboration with the Autism Resource Center of Central MA).
12 Camp Monomonac Rd., Rindge, NH 03461
Phone: 603-899-9590
Email: campers@campstarfish.org

Camp Hemlocks - Easter Seals - Easterseals Camp Hemlocks is an accessible camp for youth and adults with physical, sensory, intellectual and developmental disabilities in the scenic woods of Central Connecticut. Camp Hemlocks offers a traditional camping experience for campers as young as eight and there is no aging out, allowing campers to attend into adulthood. Activities include, swimming in our indoor heated pool, boating and fishing on our 22-acre pond, arts and crafts, nature, health and fitness, and climbing our challenge tower. Camp Hemlocks programing is individually tailored to the needs of each camper to provide them the most enjoyable and successful camping experience possible.

The benefits of summer camp extend beyond the exhilarating activities, campfires and friendship bracelets. Camp is a place to develop confidence. Camp is where social skills flourish. Camp promotes independence. Most importantly, camp is fun! Campers often say that they feel as if they are a part of a family while they are with us. They feel accepted and wanted with people who understand them.

At Easterseals Camp Hemlocks we support the use of adaptive technology, equipment and creativity to support the needs of each individual camper. Camp Hemlocks is a place where each camper has the opportunity to socialize with old friends and make new ones. Camp Hemlocks offers the appropriate assistance needed to all campers around mobility, participation in program and activities of daily living. New activities and customized support encourages campers to try new things and allows even the most seasoned camper an exciting challenge!

If you are interested in a meeting and tour with a member of the camp team to see if Camp Hemlocks is a good fit for you, please call or email the Camp Director to schedule an appointment! Jillian McCarthy email - Jillian.McCarthy@oakhillct.org or phone - 860-228-0393 Ext. 4068

 
 
 
The Glenholme School is a therapeutic boarding school for young people, ages 10 to 18, diagnosed with Asperger's, ADHD, PDD, OCD, Tourette's, depression, anxiety, and various learning differences. The program provides a treatment milieu designed to build competence socially and academically. Glenholme’s learning environment supports and enhances the success of special needs students.
 
The Glenholme School's Summer Program captures the essence of summer fun amidst the stunning backdrop of the Berkshire Mountains here in New England. Located in Washington CT, the Summer Program invigorates the mind, body and spirit through the myriad of activities that provide fun, active participation through competitions, team development and skill building efforts. Through it all young people build confidence, friends, tolerance, and respect for their fellow youth and the effective role of the adults around them. Students leave with a complete understanding of community and a sense of active participation in a positive and productive environment.
 
Students attend school for two classes each day and have many regular activities throughout the week; afterward they engage in different events.
 
The Glenholme School
81 Sabbaday Lane, Washington, CT 06793-0138; 860-868-7377; FAX 860-868-7894
 

Owned and operated since its beginning by the American School for the Deaf, the camp follows the School's open approach to communication. This means that whatever a camper's mode of communication: sign language, oral, aural, lipreading or a mix - staff are willing and able to meet it. "Total Communication" puts the main emphasis on getting the message across, in whatever way works best for the particular camper. We are also opening our doors to children of Deaf Adults (CODA), as well as to those with deaf siblings!
 
Highly qualified, professional staff, both deaf and hearing, come to Isola Bella with experience in education, childcare and counseling. A small staff-to-camper ratio ensures plenty of individual attention and high-quality programs. Excellent medical care and facilities are available 24 hours a day. Please note that campers with special needs, including medical conditions, will require prior medical approval for registration and enrollment purposes. Transportation of campers from the local airport, bus or train station is available upon request.
 
School Address and Phone:
139 North Main Street - West Hartford, CT 06107 - (860) 570-2300 (Voice) - (860) 570-2222 (TTY)      
 
Isola Bella Address and Phone (Only available June 22-Aug 7, other times please contact the school.)
410 Twin Lakes Rd. - Taconic, CT 06079 - (860) 824-5558 (V/TTY), (860) 824-4276 (FAX)
 
 
 
Landmark School’s mission is to enable and empower students with language-based learning disabilities (LBLD) to realize their educational and social potential through an exemplary school program complemented by outreach and training, assessment, and research.
 
Summer 2017, Now Enrolling!
Give your child the Landmark advantage.
• High School Program, July 9 to August 4
• Elementary/Middle School Program, June 30 to August 4
Landmark School
429 Hale St., P.O. Box 227, Prides Crossing, MA 01965
Main phone: 978-236-3010
Admissions: 978-236-3000
Fax: 978-927-7268
admission@landmarkschool.org
 
 
The Arthur C. Luf Children's Burn Camp became a reality in 1991 after many years and hours of dedication and planning by our late President and Founder, Arthur C. Luf. Located in Union, Connecticut on the Massachusetts line near Sturbridge, MA, it is set on 176 acres with its own pond for swimming and boating. A beautiful setting in the woods of Connecticut. The Arthur C. Luf Children's Burn Camp is the only one of its kind in the Northeast.
 
All children attend free of charge. All expenses for lodging, meals, arts/crafts, activities and programs are paid for by the Foundation. Most of these children have never seen a campground or enjoyed an overnight camp-out, let alone the many other camp activities which include camp fires, hiking, fishing, archery, boating, and a challenging ropes course.
 
Active and retired firefighters from Fire Departments along the East Coast, medical personnel trained in treating burns, burn survivors, and caring individuals help round out the team of counselors for the children. All counselors serve on a volunteer basis.

Connecticut Burns Care Foundation
Frank Szivos, Executive Director
Susan M. Howard, Foundation Secretary
601 Boston Post Road
Milford, CT 06460
 
Phone: 203-878-6744
Fax: 203-878-4044
 
 
 
 
 
Camp Rising Sun exists so that all who come can have fun, improve familiar skills, learn new skills and develop self-confidence by joining in camp activities in a secure positive place.
 
Camp Rising Sun is a camp for children who have been diagnosed with cancer. Children ages 5 - 17 attend camp free of charge. Our 'Senior Campers' (17-year-olds) can apply to be part of our "Leader in Training" program. Run by Carol Anne Lang, the LIT program is designed to give campers who may want to come back as counselors an opportunity to take on more responsibility, help with younger campers, plan activities, and participate in a special Winter LIT Trip.
 
Camp is staffed by volunteer counselors who give a week of their time, love and energy. We have a pediatric oncologist and three nurses on campus 24-hours a day to tend to medical needs.
 
Camp Rising Sun Charitable Foundation,  P.O. Box 472,  Branford, CT 06405
 Email: info@camprisingsun.com
 Phone: (203) 481-7277
 Fax: (203) 654-7886
 
 
Stamford Jewish Community Center - Hand in Hand at Day Camps@The J Pre-k – Kindergarten Grades 3rd – 8thThe Hand in Hand (Yad B’Yad) unit of O-la-mi offers a unique summer experience for rising Pre-k – Kindergartners and 3rd – 8th graders with a variety of needs including, but not limited to, communication and learning differences, ADD/ADHD, social anxiety, sensory motor integration challenges, and those on the spectrum. The mission of this program is to improve each child’s ability to develop positive relationships and make social connections in their community and with their peers, as well as create a fun, inclusionary summer experience!. Hand in Hand Pre-k – Kindergarten and Grades 3 - 8. Hand in Hand includes a daily combination of therapeutic social skills provided by clinicians, along with an inclusion program to reinforce what was learned and to encourage social engagement with others. Two 3-week sessions: June 26 – July 14 and July 17 – August 4. Pre-k: Mon. – Fri., 8:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Kindergarten: Mon. – Fri., 8:45

For more information or questions, please contact Hannah Goldstone (Pre-k–Kindergarten) at 203.487.0980 or hgoldstone@stamfordjcc.org or Liza Fahey (Grades 3 – 8) at 203.487.0946 or lfahey@stamfordjcc.org. Jewish Community Center of Stamford, 1035 Newfield Avenue | Stamford, CT 06905 | direct tel 203.487.0946 | lfahey@stamfordjcc.org.
 
The Waverly Group presents the Adventure Club - THE MISSION OF THE WAVERLY GROUP ADVENTURE CLUB IS SIMPLE: Provide meaningful and enjoyable after-school social opportunities for children with special needs facilitated by experienced therapists. Adventure Club is a group of children who will enjoy being part of a club and also have inclusion opportunities by signing up for youth classes offered at the JCC.
 
Who should join? Children 6-10 years of age with identified needs including social, language and learning delays. Adventure Club is not appropriate for children with significant behavioral issues such as aggression.
 
Where? The Stamford JCC, 1035 Newfield Ave, Stamford, CT. Sign up at info@waverly-group.com. TUITION - 2 Days/week - $1755, 1 day/week - $1000.


Camp RWAF Autism / Aspergers. For children who live in the Southeast part of Connecticut. Every week is different.  We are not a center-based camp.  We average 2-3 field trips via First Student Bus trip. Parents provide snacks, we provide bottled water and field trip fees. Focus Activities: Numerous Field Trips (Hospital for Special Care Swimming; CT Science Museum; Horse Farms; Movies; Kids City; local banks; Laser Tag; Comcast Studios; Coffeehouse Studios; First Tee & TPC; meet First Responders, etc. Social & Life Skills in CIRCLE TIME on autism-friendly bean chairs designed and purchased from the west coast. Bullying Techniques– “take the power away from the bully”. Build Relationships, Make Life-Time Friendships.  Music Recreation. Autism Mentors: Xavier, Mercy and Middletown High Schools; college interns. 1:1 intervention with licensed autism experts (clinician; R.N.; special education teacher-ABA certified; health consultant; dental consultant)
www.ryanwoodsautismfoundation.org, rwaf@comcast.net.  860.346.8777


Here at The Talcott Center for Child Development we offer social/play camps year round! Come join us for summer, winter and spring breaks! Every year we offer a comprehensive camp program as well as specialized groups and services. School may be out, but we ramp up our resources in order to fill any treatment voids and to hone the skills learned throughout the school year so your child is ready for the fall!

Camp programs are available Monday through Friday. Join us for one day, or join us all week!! Three sessions of camp are available per day: 9am-11am, 11am-1pm (lunch), and 1pm-3pm. Come for one session, or come for all!! Friday sessions during the summer include outdoor water play! For campers requiring additional therapy services, 1:1 and small group treatment sessions are available immediately following camp.
Our social/play camps are also offered during the academic year! These programs are available weekday afternoons and evenings as well as Saturday. Handwriting, Skill Builders, Mighty Muscles, and Superflex are just some of the sessions offered throughout the year.
At The Talcott Center for Child Development our mission is To enhance the lives of families with special needs by fostering independence, strengthening knowledge and building confidence.

The Talcott Center for Child Development
230 Farmington Ave ? Farmington, CT 06032
Phone: (860) 674-1824
Website: http://www.thetalcottcenter.com/

 
 
Birthday Parties - and More
 
The following organizations offer birthday parties and events designed for special needs children.
 
The Creative Learning Center at the Innovative Autism Network
 
The Creative Learning Center is such a unique space that it offers a great venue for birthday parties for children of all abilities. Since the CLC is part of Innovative Autism Network we can work with families with special needs on a "birthday plan" to help their child have a successful party centered around their needs.
 
Innovative Autism Network • IAN Creative Learning Center
17 Farmington Ave, Plainville, CT 06062 
Phone: 860.351.5407; Fax: 860.351.5774  Email: info@iannetwork.com
Website: http://www.iannetwork.com/creativelearningcenter.html
 
 
BounceU
 
Sensory Bounce
This is a program for children and adults with Sensory Integration Dysfunction, Autism, and other disabilities with a Sensory component. These sessions are private, and can include typical siblings of the participants, and are limited to 15 bouncers at a time. We work with them on balance and coordination, auditory and tactile sensitivity, strength building, motor coordination, cooperative play, turn-taking, and social and verbal skills. Sessions are an hour long with a staff to special needs child ratio of 1:1. Cost is $17 per bouncer. Call for the schedule or go to http://calendar.stratford-ct.bounceu.com/ to see the Open Bounce schedule.
 

BounceU in Stratford
305 Hathaway Dr.,
Stratford, CT 06615
 
BounceU in North Branford
1289 Foxon Rd,
North Branford, CT 06471
 
 

KidSense Pediatric Therapy - 2014 Summer Programming, Week Long Camp Programs


Session 1: Monday August 11- Friday August 15
Session 2: Monday August 18- Friday August 22
Hours: 9am-1pm, please provide bagged lunch
Cost: $500 per session, after May 1 prices will increase to $575. Deposit: $100 non-refundable. Final Registration Deadline: July 1
 
Activities Include: Arts & Crafts, Fine Motor Skills, Gross Motor Skills, Social Skills, Feeding Skills, Language Arts, Sensory Integration, Music for Regulation, Self-Care Skills. CALL TO REGISTER!!!!  203-874-5437
 
LOF Adaptive Skiers - Day Camp for Blind & Visually Impaired Kids. Join us for a 4-day water sports day camp from 9am - 12:30pm that’s designed for visually impaired and blind kids, ages 6-17. Students will learn to waterski and wakeboard at our safe, clean lakeside headquarters on Lake Zoar in Sandy Hook, CT. Free of charge. Fully insured. Watersking, wakeboarding, kayaking. Register: 203-426-0666. http://www.leapsoffaithwaterskiers.com/
 
Angelfish Camps LLC - Angelfish Camps LLC provides recreational camp experiences for children that need an extra support than what a traditional camp would provide.  Children with a variety of abilities participate alongside peers and siblings. There are three options to fit your needs.
  • Saturday Morning – Camp AngelFIT
  • Summer Day Camp – Camp Move to Learn
  • Overnight Camp – Camp Angelfish
General Information:  (203) 545-0024 OR FAX (203) 321-2138 OR  Info@AngelfishTherapy.com
 
The SEED Center - Summer Fun Club
The Summer Fun Club provides a leisure atmosphere where children on the Autism Spectrum can have fun while improving their social skills. We offer fun-filled sessions with purposeful activities, while allowing the children to socialize with their peers. Knowledgeable and trained staff will supervise all Summer Fun Club members. There will be a 3 children to 1 staff ratio will be maintained at all times.
 
Sample Activities include: SMART Board and SMART Table, Drama and Music, Life Skills and Science, Computers and iPads, Group Games, Sensory Room, Community Outings, Social Skills Building.
 
The SEED Center, 30 Buxton Farm Road, Suite 105, Stamford, CT 06905
203-674-8200
info@seedautismcenter.com
www.seedautismcenter.com
 
Summer Theatre of New Canaan - Drama Camp for Special Needs Students! DRAMARAMAS: A unique musical theatre program for children with special needs! Children ages 8-18 will rehearse and put on a musical. STONC’s professional actors and creative staff will act as mentors for each child and help them interpret and perform their roles. This year’s musical is Legally Blonde, Jr! (select dates June 6 - June 25). For more information on programming please contact Education Director Meredith Walker: meredith@stonc.org / 203-966-4634; registration through our website: http://www.stonc.org

RAD ART - RAD ART is a fun and affordable arts and crafts studio located in the heart of Oxford, CT at Tommy K Shopping Center on Route 67.  There are a variety of materials and project stations to choose from for the novice to expert crafters. We offer Open Studio, Creative Classes, Gatherings and Parties, Vacation Art Camps and Summer Art Camp. RAD ART is fully handicapped accessible and we are a special needs friendly facility. If you come during open studio, we will accommodate  any sensory issues you identify such as turning down music, and finding a quiet place to work if needed.




 
If you would like your resource listed on this page, please send the information, including description, address, times of operation, contact information and website address, to  connectkids@ct.gov
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Content Last Modified on 2/15/2017 8:52:52 AM