Summer Camp for Kids with Special Needs
Ability Camp is a “camp within a camp” designed for youth who need smaller ratios to thrive in a safe and inclusive environment. This fully mainstreamed program supports children and teens of all abilities, pairing them with age-similar peers. Counselors provide physical, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive support to help campers succeed in all activities.
To join Ability Summer Camp, campers should be mainstreamed part of the day at school, succeed in a 1:3 ratio, and be independent with toileting and feeding. Those needing 1:1 support are welcome with a family-provided personal care aide or support person.
Ability programs at our branch are each unique. Learn more about Ability Camp at your branch below:
Available dates: June 17 to August 16
Kindergarten through 7th grade
Camp Carr brochure Camp Carr Camp grid
Questions? Email us at: campcarr@ymcabhc.org
June 17-Aug 29
Traditional, Sports/Specialty: Kindergarten through 7th grades and age 14-22
Leaders-in Training: Ages 14 to 21
Doylestown camp brochure Doylestown camp grid
Questions? Email us at abilitycamp@ymcarivercrossing.org
June 23-August 18
Kindergarten through 4th grade
Fairless Hills camp brochure Cabrini camp grid
Questions? Email us at lowerbuckscamp@ymcarivercrossing.org
June 24-Aug 16
Kindergarten through 7th grades
Deer Path Camp brochure Deer Path Camp grid
Questions? Email us at flemingtoncamp@ymcarivercrossing.org
June 23 to August 22
Kindergarten through 7th grade
Holland camp brochure Holland Ability grid
Questions? Email us at lowerbuckscamp@ymcarivercrossing.org
June 10-Aug 29
Traditional, Sports & Speciality: 1st through 7th grades
Leaders-in-training: 8th through 10th grades
Quakertown camp brochure Quakertown camp grid
Questions? Email us at quakertowncamp@ymcarivercrossing.org
Traditional Adventure and Specialty/Sports Camp for youth with disabilities
Ability Adventure, Speciality and Sports camps are immersive, mainstream-inclusive summer camp programs for children with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities or behavioral health concerns.
Leaders in Training for teens & young adults with special needs
Ages vary by location | Ability Summer Teen Leaders in Training (LITs) is designed for teens ages 14-22 with intellectual and developmental disabilities to develop practical skills in volunteering/job training, community learning, and health & wellness.
Available branches: Doylestown, Quakertown
How to Apply
Registration for Ability Summer Camp programs is by application only. Parent input and involvement in planning and managing behaviors is also expected. Prior to enrolling in Ability Summer camp at the Y, parents/guardians must complete an intake application packet. Please see below for details regarding the application process.
Application Process for Campers and LITs
- Contact Camp Leadership Staff to obtain an application intake packet (emails found by branch above)
- Complete the intake packet and return to camp leadership staff.
- The application intake packet is reviewed by Camp Leadership Staff.
- For NEW Campers/LITs*: Upon review, a new camper interview will be scheduled with camp leadership staff, at least one parent/guardian, and the camper present. Camp registration approval decision will be made after this meeting and then relayed to parents.
- For RETURNING Campers/LITs**: Form is reviewed by camp leadership staff. Camp registration approval decision will be made once form is reviewed.
If approved to register, proceed to the Welcome Center to complete the registration packet and camp selection grid. Financial and liability waivers will be signed at this time and camp payment schedule
*Your child is considered a new camper if they have never attended an Ability Summer Camp program at River Crossing YMCA.
**Your child is considered a returning camper if they have previously attended at least one full week of Ability Summer Camp at River Crossing YMCA.