It is never too early to start thinking about summer plans for your child. Children with ADHD benefit from structured activities and routines during the summer just as they do during the school months. Many summer camps are geared specifically towards children with ADHD. You may also explore regular camp options. Here are a few things to think about in finding the right summer camp for your ADHD child.
Traditional Camp or ADHD Camp – Will your child be able to experience success and thrive socially in a traditional camp setting or does he require more structure and behavior management by counselors experienced in working with children who have ADHD? If your child is on medication, how does the camp manage and dispense meds? Is there a registered nurse or medical doctor on the camp site?
Staff to Camper Ratio – How many children is each counselor responsible for supervising? Will your child receive enough supervision? The higher the ratio of staff to campers the more supervision and individualized attention your child will receive.
Day or Residential Camp - Are you looking for a day camp or overnight camp? If you are seeking an overnight program, is your child ready for an extended overnight stay? Has your child had positive overnight experiences away from home and immediate family for several nights?
Length of Session - Are you interested in a camp that lasts five days, a week, two weeks, four weeks, etc? What length of time do you envision for the camp sessions? Shorter sessions provide your child with a nice exposure to camp experiences while minimizing homesickness. Longer sessions provided increased opportunities for learning and a bond to the camp community.
Camp Activities - What types of recreational activities will your child most enjoy? Water sports, hiking, camping, arts and crafts, organized sports, technology, etc? Are you interested in having an academic component to the program, as well? Some summer programs offer both recreational and academic activities.
Attending with a Friend - Would it help if you planned for one or two of your child’s friends to attend the camp program together with your child? Sometimes just having a familiar face at camp can help ease the transition for children. Familiar friends can also make social activities a little less intimidating.
Camp Accreditation – Is the camp accredited? The American Camp Association is the accrediting organization for summer camps. ACA-Accredited camps meet the highest standards for health, safety, and program quality.
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