Easterseals Camp Growing Green is an overnight camp located on the campus of the Pocono Environmental Education Center in Dingmans Ferry, PA. Campers gain new skills while learning to live more independently. Campers gain environmental awareness and learn organic gardening in specially designed gardens while also enjoying traditional camp activities like hiking, canoeing, arts & crafts, games, music, campfires and water games. An optional employment track is available for campers who want to explore work experiences.

Sunday afternoon to Friday after lunch
Session 1: June 29 - July 4
Session 2: July 6-11
Session 3: July 13-18
Session 4: July 20-25
Session 5: July 27 - August 1
Session 6: August 3-8

Summer 2025 cost to be determined. (2024 cost was $1,450 per week) (limited scholarships available)

Our camp counselors are college students who are studying physical therapy, therapeutic recreation, special education, psychology or pre-med and who have a desire to work with people with special needs. Staff attend a mandatory week-long training program, and all staff receive CPR, First Aid and AED training. A camp nurse is on duty to administer medications and provide routine care and first aid. A professional camp director is onsite 24/7 to supervise activities. Campers sleep in modern, accessible housing.

Financial Assistance Available

Limited scholarships available. Apply by May 20.

Full service kitchen able to satisfy any special dietary needs.

Easterseals Camp Growing Green is a week-long (Sunday-Friday) overnight camp with an emphasis on the environment for children (age 10 and older) and adults with disabilities. Campers sign up for one or more weeks. Our primary goal is to ensure that all campers, enjoy the things everyone looks forward to in the summer: outdoor fun, time with friends and new experiences.

Overnight camp provides incredible opportunities for growth and development in a safe, nurturing environment staffed by Easterseals trained counselors. You can rest easy knowing your family member is in the care of compassionate, qualified individuals. Reconnecting with old friends, making new ones and getting along in a group are situations that require campers to practice communication skills, flexibility, cooperation and compromise. These critical skills are essential to success in school and at work. Living away from family members and with peers helps campers discover their inner resources and builds self-esteem.

Growing Green campers gain environmental awareness and learn organic gardening in specially designed gardens while also enjoying traditional camp activities like hiking, canoeing, sports, arts & crafts, campfires and swimming.

An optional employment track is available for campers who want to explore work experiences. Participants spend part of each of four days exploring different career tracks. Opportunities include job shadowing and working in food service/dining, office and retail settings, as well as assisting counselors in PEEC summer groups. Campers in the career experience track also participate in our regular camp activities.

Growing Green campers range from age 10 to adult, and are for individuals who do well with the level of support that comes from a 3 to 1 staffing ratio. There is no typical disability as our campers are a diverse group. Easterseals staff is exceptional when it comes to adapting activities so that each participant is involved and successful. The camp director interviews families to ensure that Growing Green will be a good fit.

Sample day of camp:
7:30am Wake up
8:30am Breakfast
10:00am Gardening
11:15am Sport activity
Lunch and Rest hour
2:00pm Waterfront activity
4:00pm Hike
5:30pm Dinner
6:45pm Social activity
9:30pm Lights out