The Boost's 2024 Day Camp Special

Updated March 2024

Welcome to The Boost’s second annual summer day camp special.

The camps (and one summer respite program) listed below, which are mostly in the LoHud area, are focused on programs for people with a range of developmental disabilities.

A few things to note:

This is not an endorsement of any particular camp. Always ensure it meets the needs of your loved ones and please do your due diligence.
I’ve posted those that got back to me during the fact-checking stage.
Some camps already have wait-lists, and others are filling up fast.

This list is designed to grow! I’d love to hear about others you know. And if you’ve had any positive and/or negative experiences with any of the camps on the list that you’d like to share you can contact me here.

CAMP JOY

Address: Albert Leonard Middle School, 25 Gerada Lane, New Rochelle, N.Y., 10804
About: The City of New Rochelle’s Department of Parks and Recreation offers eligible students of Special Education a traditional summer camp experience. Campers with mild to moderate intellectual/ developmental disabilities are offered an environment to explore and showcase their ability in the safest, yet least restrictive environment deemed developmentally appropriate. Activities in the visual and performing arts, movement, fitness, games, social learning and cultural enrichment are components of the daily schedule.
Ages: 5-21
Dates and rates
Financial aid: Yes
ACA accredited: Licensed through the Westchester Dept. of Health

CAMP SUNSHINE & SUNSHINE TEENS

Address: 261 Arden Valley Rd,, Southfields, N.Y., 10975
About: Part of Mosholu Day Camp, Sunshine boasts an inclusive recreational program enriched with traditional camp activities for children and teens who demonstrate developmental disabilities and/or are limited with their social emotional growth. At Camp Sunshine, children are integrated into the appropriate group setting and have the opportunity to participate in all camp activities. At Sunshine Teens, campers are also integrated into the appropriate group setting and have the opportunity to participate in all camp trips and activities. An intake session will evaluate the camper’s compatibility with the program.
Ages: Camp Sunshine, 5-12; Sunshine Teens, 13-16
Dates and rates
Financial aid: Yes
ACA accredited: Yes

CAMP TWELVE TRAILS

Address: The Henry Kaufman Campgrounds, 667 Blauvelt Rd., Pearl River, N.Y., 10965
About: This traditional summer camp is a consortium between the Shames JCC, The Riverdale YM-YWHA, and YM-YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood; campers come from all three locations. It provides inclusion support to campers with an IEP or 504 plan so that they can have the same experience as their neurotypical peers. (An intake process determines whether it’s an appropriate fit.) It’s divided into Pioneers, Trailblazers and Teen Adventures, a hybrid experience that includes daily trips and overnights.
Ages: Pioneers, entering Kindergarten-2^nd grade; Trailblazers, entering 3rd grade-6^th grade; Teen Adventures, entering 7^th grade-10^th grade
Dates and rates
Financial aid: Yes (deadline coming up)
ACA accredited: Yes

CAMP VENTURE

Address: 58 Oak Colony Rd., Stony Point, N.Y., 10980
About: This summer recreational experience offers swimming, arts & crafts, non-competitive sports and music. Children should be able to function in a group setting. Its program for younger campers is inclusive and accommodates children with I/DD, autism or no disability. Its teen program accommodates only campers with I/DD or autism.
Ages: Core program, 5-12; teen program, 13-21.
Dates & rates
Financial aid: Yes, and children enrolled in the HCBS waiver who have respite services can bill the camp as a respite service.
ACA accredited: No

CAMP VICTORY

Address: Ardsley High School, 300 Farm Rd., Ardsley, N.Y., 10502
About: A camp for children and young adults with developmental disabilities via Town of Greenburgh Parks & Recreation. First preference given to those who reside in Greenburgh.
Ages: 5-21
Dates and rates
Financial aid: Please ask
ACA accredited: Certified by Westchester County Department of Health

GREEN CHIMNEYS (2 camps)

Address: Two locations in Brewster, one in Carmel
About: Outdoor exploration paired with unique farm and wildlife activities. Primarily for children without special needs, but they include small 1:1 inclusion programs for campers with additional needs. Services are available for Trailblazers, Blazers and Trackers programs.
Ages: rising PreK-Grade 8
Dates and rates
Financial aid: Please ask

HILLSIDE CAMP

Address: 400 Doansburg Rd., Brewster, N.Y., 10509
About: Ages: Pre-K-Grade 8
Dates and rates
Financial aid: Camp scholarships available to eligible families
ACA accredited: Yes

CLEARPOOL

Address: 33 Clearpool Rd., Carmel, N.Y., 10512
Ages: Pre-K-8^th grade
Dates and rates
Financial aid: Yes
ACA accredited: Yes

JIMMY VEJAR SUMMER FUN

Address: The David G. Osterer Center, 1186 King St., Rye Brook, N.Y., 10573
About: Run by the Cerebral Palsy of Westchester, this respite program is for children, teens and young adults with all abilities. Activities include swimming, sports, arts and crafts, festive barbeques, field trips and special events
Ages: 6-21
Dates & rates
Financial aid: No; an OPWDD HCBS waiver will cover the camp’s costs
ACA accredited: Not applicable

NEW COUNTRY DAY CAMP @ 14^TH STREET Y

Address: Henry Kaufman Campgrounds, 1131 Manor Rd., Staten Island, N.Y., 10314
About: Its support program welcomes children with high-functioning cognitive, intellectual or developmental differences such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities and sensory & language delays. Campers enrolled in this program benefit from a 1:3 support ratio. While it’s unable to provide 1:1 support, it welcomes campers to have a SEIT, paraprofessional, or a care provider accompany them throughout the camp day.
Ages: Entering kindergarten-8th grade
Dates and rates
Financial aid: Yes
ACA accredited: Yes

NORTH EAST WESTCHESTER SPECIAL RECREATION CAMP

Note: This serves children and adults with developmental disabilities in the following towns: Bedford, Briarcliff Manor, Lewisboro, Mt. Pleasant, Mt. Kisco, New Castle, North Castle, North Salem, Pleasantville, Pound Ridge, Sleepy Hollow and Somers. Non-residents may participate if space is available.
Address: St. Theresa School, 300 Dalmeny Rd., Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., 10510
About: The camp provides an opportunity for children and teens with developmental disabilities to experience the benefits of participating in a local, community day camp program. “In-district” residents receive placement priority.
Ages: 4-20
Dates and rates: Info for 2024 coming out soon; will update with a link.
Financial aid: Limited to those residing within the 12 towns. (Fee structure is based upon the camper’s residency and NE’s ability to receive funding on his/her behalf.)
ACA accredited: Certified by Westchester County Department of Health

SOUTHEAST CONSORTIUM DAY CAMPS (2) and SUMMER TEEN LIFE & LIFE EXPERIENCE PROGRAMS

Note: The consortium serves children and adults with various disabilities and special needs who reside in Mamaroneck, Harrison, Pelham, Scarsdale, Eastchester, Rye, Larchmont, Rye Brook, Tuckahoe, Port Chester and Bronxville.

SCARSDALE DAY CAMP (CAMP WAPETUCK & CAMP PATHUNKE)

About: Runs in conjunction with Scarsdale Recreation Camp (priority given to those residing in Scarsdale, Mamaroneck, Larchmont, Rye, Pelham, Port Chester and Harrison).
Ages: Camp Wapetuck: Rising 1^st grade-2^nd grade; Camp Pathunke: 3^rd grade-8^th grade
Dates and rates
Financial aid: Yes
ACA accredited: Certified by the Westchester County Department of Health

EASTCHESTER DAY CAMP (CAMP GALAXY)

About: Runs in conjunction with the Eastchester Recreation Camp. For residents in Eastchester, Bronxville and Tuckahoe.
Ages: 3^rd grade-8^th grade
Dates and rates
Financial aid available: Yes
ACA accredited: Certified by the Westchester County Department of Health

TEEN LIFE PROGRAM

About: Work on life skills, obtaining job skills training, utilizing public transportation, money management skills, as well as socialization and volunteering within the community setting.
Ages: 14-21
Dates and rates
Financial aid available: Yes
ACA accredited: Certified by the Westchester County Department of Health

LIFE EXPERIENCE PROGRAM

About: The goal is to equip individuals with the practical knowledge and abilities necessary to navigate various aspects of life effectively. The camp aims at empowering individuals to manage daily tasks, make informed decisions, cope with challenges, and pursue personal growth and fulfillment
Ages: 19-27
Dates and rates
Financial aid: N/A

TRANSITIONS SUMMER IMMERSION EXPERIENCES

Address: 2736 State Highway 30, Mayfield, N.Y. 12117
About: A college readiness program for students with autism, ADHD and other learning differences. The College and Beyond program offers personalized pre-college programs and helps students determine what their needs are and, through tours and hands-on exploration, exposes them to different types of college programs. Career and Life offers individualized career prep programs for young adults who want to start careers and live on their own. Residential also available.
Ages: College and Beyond: entering grades 9-12 or transferring colleges; Career and life: young adults up to 27
Dates and rates: Contact the program for rates
Financial aid: Yes
ACA accredited: Not applicable