BRATTLEBORO — I searched through Youth Services' recent Summer Camp Guide to see what the community had to offer for children with disabilities. I was very discouraged to see not even a mention.
When compiling lists of local camps, it would be wonderful to include information on how each camp is able to accommodate children with disabilities (whether physical or developmental), with perhaps a separate story on those camps that specialize in accommodating such children.
A growing number of families are raising children with special needs, including autism and other developmental disabilities. For them, summertime can be particularly fraught because once school is out, there are huge gaps in service for their kids. Most regular camps aren't set up to successfully include them, and parents have to patch together services and recreation time. This adds a level of stress to lives that are already complicated.
Thanks for remembering these families when you put together your next Summer Camp Guide.