Summer Camps

Children's Mercy Kansas City understands the importance of all children having the experience of camping and is providing the following list as a resource for camping options. This list includes information about camps for children with and without special developmental or medical needs. Children's Mercy is providing this list of regional summer camps as a courtesy only, and the list is not exhaustive. The information does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Children's Mercy of the camps listed or the organizations associated with each camp. Children's Mercy is not responsible for individual outcomes or experiences at camps.

American Camp Association

Search by zip code or camp name to find camps, programs and sessions the camp offers close to you.

Best Kansas Summer Camps

Search by zip code or camp name to find camps, programs and sessions the camp offers close to you.

Blue Valley Recreation (Overland Park, Kan.)

Blue Valley Rec offers many adapted and integrated leisure activities designed for individuals with disabilities. Includes swim lessons, bowling, dancing, cooking, open swim, open gym, a walking club, T-ball, softball, golf and bocce ball. Single day events include miniature golf, gardening, karaoke and much more!

Boy Scouts Rotary Youth Camp (Lee's Summit, Mo.)

Offers long-term camping experience to Boy Scouts with special needs.

Camp Barnabas (Purdy, Mo. - southwest Missouri)

Camp Barnabas is a residential camp which focuses on people with all types of disabilities. Campers can be anywhere from 7 to 35, depending on their disability. Each session is directed to specific needs: developmental disabled, physically disabled, autistic/Asperger's, blind/visually impaired, deaf/hearing impaired, amputees, chronic illnesses and others. Siblings are also welcome and have their own programming.

Camp Encourage

This camp encourages social growth, independence, and self-esteem in youth with autism spectrum disorders through a quality, overnight camp experience located in the greater Kansas City area.

Camp Erin

Hosted by Kansas City Hospice and staffed by certified grief counselors, Camp Erin is a two day overnight camp for kids ages 6 to 17 who are grieving the death of someone close to them.

Camp Hickory Hill (Columbia, Mo.)

Camp Hickory Hill is a summer camp for children with diabetes. They offer a supportive medically supervised environment where children with type 1 diabetes, ages 8-17 have an opportunity to discover kindred spirits, build self-confidence, learn about managing their diabetes more independently and have a whole lot of fun.

Camp MITIOG (Excelsior Springs, Mo.)

Camp MITIOG is a camp for young people with spina bifida. All of the traditional camping activities are offered, with a one to one camper/counselor ratio and medical staff on-site.

Camp Planet D (Kansas City, Mo. and Linwood, Kan.)

Camp Planet D is an overnight camp for kids with diabetes, ages 7 to 15. Newly diagnosed and first time attendees receive priority admission.

Camp Systole

Sponsored by Congenital Heart Disease Families Association, Camp Systole is a medically supervised overnight summer camp and day camp for children living with heart disease. Camp Systole is free-of-charge and provides an old fashioned camp experience held at the Wilderness Retreat in Lawson, MO with hiking, arts and crafts, swimming, fishing, etc. The overnight camp is 4 days/3 nights for children with heart disease, ages 9-17. The 1 day day camp is for children with heart disease, ages 6-9 and their siblings.

CLO's Midnight Farm Day Camp (Baldwin City, Kan.)

Midnight Farm's Day Camp is for kids and young adults with autism and other intellectual/developmental disabilities. Activities include crafts, singing, animal interactions and more. Horseback riding is available for an additional fee.

Heartland Therapeutic Riding Horsemanship Camp (Bucyrus, Kan.)

Heartland Therapeutic Riding offers weeklong day camp called Mini Camp, or Occupational Therapy Intensives.

Joint Adventures (Missouri)

Joint Adventures is a five-night overnight camp for children with rheumatic diseases. For more information, contact the Department of Rheumatology at Children’s Mercy Kansas City.

Joshua Center Summer Camp (Kansas City, Mo.)

The Joshua Center Summer Camp is available to children with a primary diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome, Asperger Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Two camp dates: June 15-17 for grades (completed) 3-6; June 18-21 for grades (completed) 7-12.

KC Kids Fun Camps

A directory of summer camps: General Day and Overnight Camps, Science and Nature Camps, and Special Needs Camps.

Midwest Children's Burn Camp (St. Louis, Mo.)

Midwest Children's Burn Camp is held at Camp Sabra, a residential camp. This is a program for children ages 6-17 with burn injuries and offers traditional camp activities.

Muscular Dystrophy Camp

Muscular Dystrophy Camp is a one-week residential camp for anyone ages 6-21 with a neuromuscular disease. Contact the local MDA office for details.

Salvation Army - The Three Trails Camp

The Three Trails Camp offers several camping options: Junior Camp Ages 7-10, Tween Camp Ages 11-12, Teen Camp ages 13-17 and Family Camp Parents/Children.

Sertoma-Schiefelbusch Communication Camp (Lawrence, Kan.)

The Sertoma-Schiefelbusch Communication Camp is a collaborative effort between the Lawrence Sertoma Club and the Shiefelbusch Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic at KU. The camp is open to children ages 4-10 with and without communication challenges.

Wonderland Camp (Lake of the Ozarks)

Wonderland Camp is a residential camp for children with developmental and physical challenges. All of the traditional camp activities are offered. There are also special weeks for children with Prader Willi Syndrome and brain injuries. Plus a wheelchair accessible tree house!