Summer is a great time for children of all abilities to explore new and exciting adventures. Parents with children with special needs are looking for day, week and resident camps. We have compiled a great list of Summer Camps that offers accommodations for children on the Autism spectrum, ADHD, downs syndrome, handicap, cerebral palsy and more.
***This is NOT an all inclusive list. ***
Many Tampa Bay area Summer camps can make accommodations for children with different abilities if they know ahead of time. Please do not hesitate to call any camp to inquire more details. Some camps are unable to make accommodations due to space, staffing or training. If we find more camps, we will add them to our website.
What is Special Needs Friendly? Special needs include individuals with learning, emotional, behavioral, or physical disabilities.The locations listed below have made accommodations in the past or are willing to make accommodations. However, they may not be able to make accommodations for every child due to space, staffing or training.
Camps listed in this guide does NOT imply endorsement of any program, product or services. This guide is provided for reference purposes only. Parents should research any summer program or activity they are considering for their child before making an informed decision. Please CALL for the most updated information.
NOTE: Please do not copy this list and re-post onto another website. Please link back to our list for reference purposes. Thank You!
Please let these locations know that you found their information on FamilyFriendlyTampaBay.com.
AMF UNIVERSITY BOWLING
Camp AMF
Special Needs Friendly
13109 N 56th Street, Tampa, FL 33617
(813) 985-4468
xmgr124@amf.com
All school age kids from k‐12. Various programs run from $6.50 to $13 weekly per person
ANGELFISH SWIM SCHOOL
Special Needs Friendly
4123 Amber Rd, Valrico, FL 33594
Marcia Davis 813‐432‐4032 Info@angelfishswimschool.com
Type of Class: Swim instruction for children of all ages and abilities. Valrico, Brandon, Plant City and surrounding areas Registration online at www.angelfishswimschool.com
Price: Private swim classes $30, Semi-Private $20 per class* Price is subject to change. Please contact for the most updated pricing.
ANIMATION CAMP
Special Needs Friendly
University of South Florida ITech Lounge
4202 E. Fowler Ave Edu 252
Tampa, FL 33602
Explore the exciting world of animation and filmaking while learning real life skills including animation, writing and editing, story boarding and music making.
Dates: July 17-21, 2017, Session A- 9:00-3:30 p.m. & Session B-9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Price:$100-$150
BAKAS EQUESTRIAN CENTER
Special Needs Friendly
11510 Whisper Lake Trail,Tampa, 33626
Horse riding & Care Camps: Spots are LIMITED
Call Jen: (813) 264-3890
BAYHOPE CHURCH
Special Needs Friendly
17030 Lakeshore Rd, Lutz, 33558
(813) 968‐3983 x130
Type of Camp: Special Needs. At Camp Fun, campers will go on field trips, work on social skills, fine motor skills, and gross motor skills. If there are skills your child needs to focus on we try to provide the practice needed
Dates: July 10th‐14, 2017 from 9:00 am‐2:00 pm.
Ages: 4 to 18 years old
Price: $110
THE BROACH SCHOOL
Special Needs Friendly
5353 5th St, Zephyrhills, FL 33542
(813) 788-8384
Type of Camp: Reading Camp for Summer 2017 for those with special needs.
Please call for more details
CAMP SPARKS
Special Needs Friendly
Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department
Camp Sparks: Designed for children with disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries and/or learning disabilities, and the locations are staffed with a 1-to-6 staff-to-student ratio.
The following Camp SPARKS locations serve 5 to 22 year olds:
1. All People’s Life Center, 6105 E. Sligh Ave. Tampa, FL, (813) 744-5978 x 0
2. Carrollwood Meadows Recreation Center, 13918 Farmington Blvd., Tampa FL, (813) 288-8481
3. Riverview Recreation Center, 7807 Capitano St., Riverview 33578, (813) 672-1120
4. Turkey Creek Recreation Center, 5936 Connell Road, Plant City 33567, (813) 434-5060
5. New Tampa Area, site TBD, (813) 434-5064
Price: $40 – $76 per 2 week session
Inclusion Program
Special Needs Friendly
The following Inclusion Camp locations serve 5 to 17 year olds: Inclusion program provides opportunities for students with disabilities to attend summer camp alongside their non-disabled peers enrolled in a traditional setting.
1. Jackson Springs Recreation Center, 8620 Jackson Springs Road, Tampa, FL
2. Northdale Recreation Center, 15550 Spring Pine Drive, Tampa, FL
3. Ruskin Recreation Center, 901 6th Street, Ruskin, FL
Price: $40 – $76 per 2 week session
DGA Tampa
Special Needs Class
23633 venezia drive, land o lakes fl 34639
(813) 949-7875
Type of Class: Artistic Gymnastics. Tumbling & Trampoline
Begins May 29, 2017
Ages 4-17
Occupational Therapist on Staff. 4:1 Student ratio
Sundays 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Price: $65 a month with auto pay
DREAM OAKS CAMP
Special Needs Friendly
16110 Dream Oaks Place
Bradenton, FL 34212
(941) 746-5659
Type of Camp: Provides camping experience for children with special needs and chronic illnesses ages 7-17 with a 3:1 ratio
FLORIDA VPK- Specialized Instructional Services in Pasco County
Special Needs Friendly
VPK option for 4 year old children with disabilities
East Pasco:(518) 596-5702
West & North Pasco: (914) 325-1818
FREEDOM SAILING CAMP OF FLORIDA
(727) 224-1726
freedomsailingcamp@gmail.com
Special Needs Friendly
2017 Location:
Philippe Park
2525 Philippe PKWY, Safety Harbor 34695
Mission is to provide safe, enriching and affordable sailing for High Functioning individuals within the autistic spectrum disorder.
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
This year they will be holding 2 week camps each 2 week session will be $350.00. ( Scholarships are available )
First 2 week: June 5th – June 16th
Second 2 weeks: June 19th – June 30th
Third 2 weeks: July 3rd – July 14th
Fourth 2 weeks: July 17th – July 28th
GIGI’S PLAYHOUSE TAMPA
Special Needs Friendly
Down Syndrome Achievement Center
Opening May 2017
Location: TBD
INSPIRE STUDIOS
Special Needs Friendly
Lutz and Odessa, FL
(352) 410-3332
Type of Camp: Music and the Arts. Rock Camp, Musical Theater, and Music Camp. Each camp ends with a live performance and are for all abilities.
Dates: Lutz location: June 5 – 9, July 10 – 14, and June 19 – 23, 2017
Dates: Odessa Location: July 24 – 28, June 26 – 30, and July 17 – 21, 2017
Ages: 2 – 6 and camps for ages 7 and up
Price Range: Camps for ages 2 – 6 are $99. All other camps are 149.00. Sibling and multiple camp discounts are available.
Check out our Sensory Friendly Movie Theatres Guide
JUBILEE RIDING ACADEMY
Special Needs Friendly
13146 Jubilee Rd, Dade City, 33525
(813) 777-4179
Type of Camp: Learn how to ride and care for horses.
Dates: June 1-July 27, 2017
Ages: 5 and up
Price: $75 to $350
KIDDY UP RANCH
Special Needs Friendly
10740 Brian Lane
New Port Richey, FL 34654
(727) 203-6595
Specializing in equine therapy for children with special needs. Email info@kiddyupranch.org
LIGHT HOUSE CENTER FOR CREATIVE LEARNING
Special Needs Friendly
516 Corner Dr. Brandon, 33511
(813) 655-6505
Type of Camp: Educational, Arts & Crafts, etc.
Dates: June 5- August 4, 2017
Ages: 5 years old and up
Price: Call camp for details
NEW LEAPS ACADEMY
Special Needs Friendly
27724 Cashford Circle,Suite 101, Wesley Chapel
(813) 973-7938
Type of Camp: Educational
Dates: June 5- August 4
Ages: School Age
Price Range: $197 per week
QUEST, INC -CAMP THUNDERBIRD
Special Needs Friendly
909 E Welch Road, Apopka, FL 32712
Residential Summer Camps 2017
Call for more info:
(407) 889‐8088
SOUTH PINELAS AUTISM PROJECT
Greater St. Pete YMCA’s Central Campus
5175 45th St N in St Petersburg, FL 33714.
(727) 483-1305
Ages: 5-13
Type of Camp: Summer on the Spectrum is our Day Camp for kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Price: Camp is $150 a week, plus a $35 registration fee. Camp will include swimming lessons and some optional field trips.
Dates: May 30 to Aug. 9, 2017. M-F, 8:30 a.m. – 5: 30 p.m. You can pick what weeks you want to attend.
TAMPA KIDS THERAPY
4004 S MacDill Ave, Suite 6
Tampa, FL 33629
(813) 399 – 0722
Type of Camp: STEM, Social skills, writing and sensory play
Ages: 4-8
Dates: May 29- August 4, 2017
Price: $210 – $215
10 location in the Tampa Bay and East Pasco area
Select locations are Special Needs friendly.
www.Tampaymca.org/bestsummerever
Type of Camp: Day Camp, Sports, Aquatics, Specialty and MORE!
Dates: May 30-Aug. 4, 2017
Ages: Rising 1-Rising 10 (some locations have Kindergarten and Preschool)
Price Range: $115-$275
WARRIORS FOR AUTISM_SENSORY ACRES
Special Needs Friendly
Admin@warriorsensory.org
6901 W. Dormany Road
Plant CIty, FL
Type of Camp: Day camp for children on the autism spectrum and their siblings. They will learn to care for farm animals, swim, nature walks and sensory play.
Dates: June 5- July 21, 2017
Price: $175 per week, Discounts for multiple weeks
WE ROCK THE SPECTRUM GYM
Special Needs Friendly
1076 E Brandon Blvd #102, Brandon, 33511
(813) 571-1600
Type of Camp: A full inclusion sensory gym for all kids.
Dates: Weeks of June 5, 12,19,26 July 10,17, 24, 31, 2017
M, W, F from 9am to Noon.
Ages: 5+ and potty trained
Daily rate $39, Weekly $100. Water & snack provided
Know of any more Summer Camps or Programs that make accommodations for children with special needs? Send us an email with all the info and we will get it added. Miriam@familyfriendlytampabay.com OR familyfriendlyllc@gmail.com.
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