A few days ago, I went to update our camp information for the 2025 season, I was surprised to find an outdated term when reviewing the camp submission. This was not for the public to see, but under “Camp Emphasis” the older term “hearing impairments” popped up. I immediately reached out about changing it to the current preferred term: “Deaf and Hard of Hearing” as was shown in the public camp listings, which had already been changed a few years ago.

I received an immediate response from Eric Beermann detailing they have been working on updating terms and sometimes they get hidden and not noted during the first go-thru of the site. Websites do have many layers, and it can be tricky to figure out what is hidden and unnoticed. They thoughtfully sent me a link for me to verify and see that it had indeed been changed.

It seems like a small thing and was quickly resolved. And since the location would never be seem by the public, why did this matter at all? Why did I feel that it should be taken care of, and right now? Why do I even mind? I grew up with this term. I was in an educational “program for children with hearing impairments” for five years before I was fully mainstreamed. This is how I was labeled medically and educationally. I even described myself this way, along with “deaf” or “hard of hearing.” I never really gave it much thought. But as an adult, I met many others who were Deaf or hard of hearing, who did, in fact, mind. They minded quite a bit. It was pointed out that we don’t call people who rely on wheelchairs “walking impaired.” People who use elevators aren’t “stair-impaired.” The term “Impaired” has many negative connotations. When people drive under the influence they are “impaired.” The idea is to Fix / Correct/ Replace whatever/whoever is impaired.

This is why it was important to take care of right away. It’s important to get language right and stay on top of it as language changes constantly. We want those that follow us know that we were good caretakers and thought of them appropriately. I am on my 20^th year as an Administrator for Camp Chris Williams for deaf and hard of hearing youth ages 11-17. I am aware I may not always be the one to update our camp listing, and I want those who follow me to feel that I was a good caretaker. That is what we do, as we hold onto legacy positions that will continue, hopefully long after we are gone.

As you update your camps, think about what words you are using to promote the populations of your camps. Camp Chris Williams often serves children with multiple disabilities; we don’t list them all because the core of our camp mission is that they must be deaf or hard of hearing to join our camp. About 30% of children who are deaf or hard of hearing have another disability, so we are indeed a Very Special Camp, and grateful for this site so families of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind and DeafPlus (D/HH/DB/DP) children can find us!

Nan Asher

Administrator, Camp Chris Williams https://www.michdhh.org/camp-chris-williams.html

Treasurer, Michigan Coalition for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People

Camp directors, it’s time to prepare for the upcoming 2025 summer season! Ensure your listing on VerySpecialCamps.com is up-to-date so parents and campers can find accurate information about your camp.

Please take a moment to update key details, including:

• Session dates
• Rates/cost
• Changes in camp programming
• New facilities
• COVID-19 policies
• Virtual (online) programming options
• Recent photos or videos (if applicable)

Click here to update your listing. You can update your information and media as often as needed.

Looking to upgrade? A Multi-Media Listing ($99/year for 12 consecutive months) gives you higher visibility, plus the ability to display a logo, six photos, a map, and an embedded video to make your camp stand out.

For Campers and Families
If you’re searching for a camp for Summer 2025, please note that some camps are still in the process of updating their information. We recommend contacting camps directly to confirm the most accurate and up-to-date details.

Update your camp’s listing accordingly. We are also accepting publication submissions regarding experiences of camps that operated during the summer of 2020.

Update Your Listing

Two new covid related fields have been added. The first provides your camp with the ability to indicate whether you offer a virtual program. A second new field allows you to include your camp’s Covid-19 policy and/or information about possible contingencies your camp might be facing pertaining to Covid-19. To update your listing, visit the following:

https://www.veryspecialcamps.com/modify/

Call For Chronicles of Summer 2020

If your camp operated in any capacity during the summer of 2020, please contact us to discuss the possibility of publicly sharing your experiences and insights in the form of a dedicated blog post on VerySpecialCamps.com.

Our objective is to disseminate general approaches, protocols, and outcomes pertaining to Covid-19; for the benefit of camp families, camp professionals, and the public at large.

Along with the publication of your account, we would be happy to provide credit and a link to your camp’s website.

VerySpecialCamps.com encourages you to help ensure the existing baseline level of federal government funding remains in tact for Special Olympics; a program that benefits the lives of countless individuals in ways that are immeasurable. Let your voice be heard now:

Click Here to Take Action!

An excerpt from a news release from SpecialOlympics.org:

Special Olympics is a nonpartisan organization that strongly supports policies, legislation and practices that guarantee the rights, full participation, and integration of people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics recognizes the progress that has been made around the country in eliminating the stigma, stereotypes, isolation, and discrimination that people with intellectual disabilities face—most importantly around access to sport, health, and education opportunities and services.

We ask federal, state and local governments to join Special Olympics in remaining vigilant against any erosion of provisions that have made a substantial difference in the lives of people with ID. U.S. Government funding for our education programming is critical to protecting and increasing access to services for people with intellectual disabilities.

Read full article:

https://www.specialolympics.org/stories/news/special-olympics-responds-to-proposed-funding-cuts-for-education-programs-in-the-united-states

Learn more about Special Olympics:

https://www.specialolympics.org/

We’ve recently implemented several advancements designed to improve navigation on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.

In particular, visitors are now presented with a fixed horizontal secondary navigational menu at the top of all camp listing profiles; as well as on pages that display listing results (mobile/tablet only).

Ultimately, the goal is provide all pertinent information to visitors as efficiently as possible; and whenever possible, minimize the need to scroll.

Please note: if you are experiencing issues viewing the website, please clear your web browser’s cache (delete temporary internet files) and reload VerySpecialCamps.com

We always welcome your input and encourage you to contact us with your thoughts and ideas.

We are pleased to announce the implementation of a new website interface to improve navigation and functionality on both mobile and desktop platforms.

The new navigational format includes a fixed horizontal menu bar at the top of all pages; allowing visitors to quickly navigate the VerySpecialCamps.com website from any page location.

All individual camp listing pages will be rendered as a fixed width on all desktop screen resolutions; providing greater readability and consistency.

We are pleased to announce the recent implementation of SSL security to the entirety of the veryspecialcamps.com domain, as well as our other camp related directories located at the following URL’s:

https://www.campchannel.com (All types of camps / camp jobs)

https://www.CampRentalChannel.com (Camp Rentals)

While VerySpecialCamps.com does not gather or retain sensitive information from visitors seeking a camp (such as credit card or social security data), we believe an encrypted & secure site-wide interface provides an increased level of security & trust for all website activity and engagement.

Online since 2003, VerySpecialCamps.com strives to maintain its position and reputation as a leader in camp search for individuals with special needs.

Transition Program has recently been added to the list of searchable categories under “program type“.

Summer camps offering Transition Programs are designed to provide individuals with special needs a tailored plan involving the acquisition of necessary vocational, behavioral, and social skills to function independently as an adult within the workplace and other settings.  While many camps serving individuals with special needs address these issues to various extents, certain transition programs are more focused to facilitate a progression into meet responsibilities and attain the necessarily level of self-sufficiency required for independent living.

Currently, Transition Programs and Therapeutic Riding are the only two program type categories denoted on VerySpecialCamps.com that reflect specific modes of programming and education; as opposed to being a reflection of the underlying particular special need. In other words, there are a wide variety of underlying conditions that may be suitable for either a Transition Program or Therapeutic Riding. Nonetheless, it is important to discuss the particular nature and scope of any given program with the camp director or program administrator.

If you operator a camp offering a definitive Transition Program to individuals with special needs and would like to list your camp on VerySpecialCamps.com, please click here to review listing options and to sign up now.

Are you seeking a facility to host a special event, retreat, family reunion, wedding, company outing, or other large event?  A large number of summer camps make their facilities available for rent  to groups looking to host various events and functions prior to and upon completion of their primary camp sessions.

CampRentalChannel.com is specifically dedicated to camp rentals and has recently received several significant feature additions and enhancements to improve usability on both desktops and mobile devices.  Visitors to CampRentalChannel.com are able to quickly obtain specific and detailed information with respect to particular criteria of any given group’s needs with respect to a group rental situation:

Programming and other services offered

Available dates

Cost

Facilities available for use

Lodging Accomodations

Dining options

Conference & meeting rooms

If you are a director of a camp that offers group rentals and would like to list your camp on CampRentalChannel.com, feel free to view listing options and sign up at:

http://www.camprentalchannel.com/directors/apply.shtml

We have recently included a new category dedicated to camps offering therapeutic riding; as either one aspect of a larger diversified program, or as the principal focus of an exclusive program emphasis.

Therapeutic riding falls under the more general classification of “Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies” EAAT for individuals with special needs and may be used as a component of an integrated treatment regimen to achieve objectives related to cognitive, motor, social, or other skill improvements. Benefits include, but are not limited to: increased flexibility and range of motion, improved balance and strength, sensory, speech, confidence and self-esteem.

Instructor and equine specialist certification for various EAAT applications may be obtained for individuals through a professional association such as PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship). Likewise, camps and other organizations may have earned and retained accreditation through an association such as PATH, who’s stated mission is:

“The PATH Intl. mission is to promote safety and optimal outcomes in equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs.”

It is important to note: many camps dedicated to individuals with special needs may offer “horseback riding” as a general activity in various capacities, while other camps might have adopted a core program crafted exclusively with respect to therapeutic riding (and other aspects of EAAT) as their primary modality of therapy. If you are specifically seeking a camp dedicated to therapeutic riding, it is important to be aware of the broad spectrum of programs available and to inquire with respective camp directors about their camp and staff’s level of training, certification, and expertise.

If you are an owner/operator of a camp offering therapeutic riding (in any capacity) to individuals with special needs and would like to list your camp on VerySpecialCamps.com, please click here to review listing options and to sign up now.