February 28, 2026
Special Needs Summer Camps 2026
By: Mae Veidlinger, MSW Intern and Juno Ottathengil, LLMSW
Summer Countdown: 113 days!
As summertime rounds the corner, summer camp registration is starting to fill up quickly. For many children, summer camps offer an opportunity to build social skills, form new friendships, and enjoy a structured and lively environment. With a vast range of themes, including outdoor activities, arts and crafts, religious programs, and music, there are options to help keep children active and occupied during the hot summer days.
Finding the right summer camp can be overwhelming, especially for parents of neurodiverse children. To help, we have provided a list of summer camp options across various Michigan counties below.
Choosing the Right Summer Camp
Finding the “right” summer camp for your child can be overwhelming. When exploring summer camp options, consider the following:
- The camp’s main activity,
- Whether it is a day camp, drop-in camp, or overnight camp,
- Cost and availability of financial assistance, and
- The camp’s level of support for your child’s specific needs.
As you think through these factors, keep your child involved in the conversation to better understand what they are looking for in a summer camp. This can help decrease anxiety and stress, as they will know what to expect and feel included in the decision-making process.
Additionally, many of the camps we’ve compiled have different specializations, including support for emotional challenges, physical and developmental disabilities, and mental health needs. Each specialization may offer different accommodations and levels of support. We recommend that you either reach out to camps directly or review their resources online to determine best fit for your child.
Experiencing Anxiety About Attending Camp
It is normal for children to feel nervous or anxious before attending a new camp. For many individuals, changes in their schedule or being away from their parents or guardians for a longer period of time than they are used to can feel overwhelming. We recommend that, prior to the start of camp, you keep your child informed about any upcoming schedule changes. This can help prepare your child so the transition does not come as a shock. Once camp begins, it can be helpful to provide your child with a visual schedule that they can carry throughout the day to help them understand what to expect. At camp, your child may also experience new sensory input, so be sure to create space for your child to share their feelings and problem-solve.
During the adjustment period that may come with starting a new camp, validating your child’s feelings is very important. Acknowledge that this is a new and possibly scary experience, while also reinforcing the idea that it is safe and an opportunity for them to grow and learn.
Finances
Summer camps can be very expensive. In the list provided below, some summer camp options offer scholarships or financial aid. These opportunities can help make summer camp more affordable for families. As you review the different options, be sure to explore each summer camp’s financial assistance offerings, and feel free to call or email the camp coordinators with any questions.
Special Needs Summer Camps in Michigan by County
GENESEE COUNTY
Fenton, MI | (248) 560-7088
Residential and day camp options for individuals with diabetes. Ages 5 to 17. Scholarships available. No 2026 dates available yet.
Fenton, MI | (810) 742-5404
Day camp for children ages 7 to 18 with an autism diagnosis. Peer mentors for campers. No 2026 dates available yet.
HILLSDALE COUNTY
Jerome, MI | (517) 688-9212
Overnight camp with a day camp option for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Sessions run May 31 through August 7. Registration opened on January 1. Financial aid available.
KENT COUNTY
Rockford, MI | (616) 866-3066
Day camp including therapeutic horseback riding lessons. Beginner to advanced riders. Ages 8 and up. One-week sessions from June 15 through August 5.
Cedar Springs, MI | (616) 696-8675
Summer camp for individuals with special needs. One-week sessions. Ages 16 to 70. Sessions June 9–13 and June 29–July 3. Scholarships available.
Grand Rapids, MI | (616) 559-1054
Camp for children receiving occupational, speech, and language therapy. Ages 3 to 10. Three days per week for seven weeks. No 2026 dates available yet.
LAPEER COUNTY
Lapeer, MI | (810) 245-0726
Week-long overnight camp for individuals who are visually impaired or hearing impaired. Ages 6 to 16. Sessions June 5 through July 26. Scholarships available.
LIVINGSTON COUNTY
Pickney, MI | (734) 436-1453
Traditional overnight summer camp, including main camp and sibling programs, for individuals with ASD and their siblings. Ages 6 to 17, depending on the program. July 19–24. Scholarships available.
Brighton, MI | (810) 225-3417
Three- to five-day intensive therapy day camp for children with selective mutism. Ages 4 to 18. Sessions July 20–22 and July 27–31.
MECOSTA COUNTY
Rodney, MI | (231) 796-7669
Christian overnight camp for individuals with developmental disabilities. Ages 15 and older. Week-long sessions June 15 through August 14.
NEWAYGO COUNTY
Holland, MI | (616) 994-9897
Four-day overnight camp for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One-to-one counselor pairing. Ages 16 to 60. Sessions May 30 through June 6.
OAKLAND COUNTY
West Bloomfield, MI | (248) 433-0885
Day camp for individuals with ASD and visual, cognitive, physical, and other impairments. Ages 3 to 26. First session begins June 22. Scholarships available.
Clarkston, MI | (248) 623-4314
Five-week day camp for individuals with special needs, including ASD, cognitive or behavioral impairments, and physical disabilities. Ages 3 and older. June 22 through July 29. Registration opens in April. Financial assistance available.
West Bloomfield, MI | (248) 788-7878
Day camp for individuals with special needs, including mental health diagnoses and crisis support needs. Ages 4 and older, depending on the session.
Ortonville, MI | (248) 432-5578
Jewish day camp with various themed sessions. Ages 5 to 28, depending on the session. Scholarships available.
Bloomfield Township, MI |(248) 647-1100
Overnight Jewish camp for individuals with special needs. Trained staff support learning, social, and communication differences. Yachad: 2nd to 9th grade. Avodah: 9th grade to age 30. Sessions June 16 through August 7. Scholarships available.
OSCEOLA COUNTY
Evart, MI |(231) 734-2616
Overnight Christian camp supporting children with physical, cognitive, behavioral, and mental health needs. One-to-one or one-to-two counselor-to-child ratio. Kindergarten through 12th grade. Sessions begin in July.
Hersey, MI | (231) 832-2234
Five- to six-day overnight camp for children and teens with trauma and emotional impairments. Focus on natural consequences, decision-making, trust, perseverance, and goal setting. Ages 9 to 17. Scholarships available.
OTTAWA COUNTY
Grand Rapids, MI | (616) 677-5251
Five-day overnight camp with a drop-in camp session option. For children with cognitive and physical disabilities. Ages 7 and older. Sessions May through August. Scholarships available.
TUSCOLA COUNTY
Mayville, MI | (989) 673-2050
Camp for children and adults with developmental disabilities and brain injuries. Ages 6 to 18, depending on the session. Sessions June through August. Scholarships available.
WASHTENAW COUNTY
Ann Arbor, MI | (734) 971-6337
For individuals ages 13 to 30 with moderate cognitive impairments. Registration opens March 11.
Ann Arbor, MI | (734) 994-2636
Themed day camp. Ages 5 to 13. Sessions run from late June through August. Registration opens March 2.
Ann Arbor, MI | (734) 476-5153
Five-day therapeutic music camp for individuals with special needs. Ages 8 and older. Scholarships available.
Ypsilanti, MI | (734) 484-2758
Goal-oriented cycling day camp for individuals with disabilities.
Ann Arbor, MI | (734) 747-6641
For neurodiverse individuals. Small-group learning and hands-on science experiments. One-week sessions. Ages 6 to 18. Sessions July 6 through August 7.
WAYNE COUNTY
Canton, MI | (734) 394-5460
Therapeutic recreation camp for individuals with disabilities. Ages 8 to 14. Sessions June 15 through August 7. Registration opens March 10. Scholarships available.
Canton, MI | (734) 394-5460
Day camp with field trips on Tuesdays and Thursdays for individuals with special needs. Ages 15 and older. Sessions June 15 through August 7. Registration opens March 10. Scholarships available.
Northville, MI | (248) 308-3592
Four- to five-day program options for teens and young adults with disabilities. Ages 11 and older. Scholarships available.