Give Your Child
“the Best Week of the Year”
at MDA Summer Camp
It’s the experience of a lifetime.
MDA Summer Camp creates a world of possibilities for children living with muscular dystrophy and related diseases.
Camp gives kids a chance to discover new interests while gaining self-confidence, making lifelong friendships and experiencing the independence of being away from home. Thanks to generous donors and partners, MDA provides a safe, inclusive summer camp experience at no cost to families.
Camp offers a variety of activities and programs such as arts and crafts, sports and games, traditional camp activities and more. Every activity is adapted to the abilities of youngsters with neuromuscular disease. Plus, campers are paired with camp counselors to help with activities of daily living and personal care.
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2019 MDA Summer Camps
Use the search below to find a camp near you. Then read the instructions in the next section for full details on how to complete your application.
YMCA Camp Widjiwagan - Located on 320 beautiful acres next to Percy Priest Lake just outside Nashville, TN. Our goal is to provide a safe, fun, magical and educational experience for all guests and children who come to the outdoor center. Each day, we work to demonstrate the Y's core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility while practicing a "Kids and Guests First" philosophy. Our camp offer an athletic complex, beach, climbing tower, amphitheater, sports field, pool/splash park, barn, and zipline.
Camp For All is a unique, barrier-free camp working in partnership with other not-for-profit organizations to enrich the lives of children and adults with challenging illnesses or special needs and their families throughout the year.
Our facilities, Apple Canyon Center, are designed specifically for our campers; enabling guests to enjoy the magic and beauty of a wondrous wooded hideaway while being only minutes away from comprehensive medical facilities and services. Fun facilities are available at camp to provide experiences of fun, accomplishment and memories: Group campfire areas, art/crafts porch, horseshoe pits, basktball court, volleyball court, challenge/ropes course, kid’s cooking class kitchen, soccer and softball playing fields, costume room, archery range, miles of hiking trails, fishing pond, KCGT radio station, heated swimming pool, carnival activity tent, horse corrals and riding rings.
The mission of Whispering Hope Ranch Foundation is to offer special needs children and their families rustic, Arizona ranch-style camp and retreat experiences enhanced by programs designed to foster nurturing interactions between campers and the animals residing at the Ranch.
Whispering Hope Ranch Foundation is distinctive in terms of our unique programs whereby individuals with special needs interact with our animal residents, most all of whom were born with physical differences or suffered injury, abuse, abandonment, or loss of a caregiver. Our specially-designed facility and programs are the result of a collaborative effort with numerous community organizations that serve children and families with special needs – from the design of the facility to the programs designed to meet the needs of these special, diverse underserved populations. This beautiful mountain sanctuary situated east of Payson, Arizona, was built from the ground up to accommodate the unique and often complex needs of individuals facing myriad challenges. Working in partnership with organizations that serve those with physical, medical and developmental challenges, Whispering Hope Ranch provides the wonder of nature and animals in a fully accessible, healing environment.
Camp Aldersgate is Arkansas’s only non-profit organization uniquely dedicated to serving children and youth with special needs and senior adults in a camp environment. Camp Aldersgate’s Summer Camps serve children with medical, physical and developmental needs. Camp offers traditional summer camp activities such as campfires and singing, canoeing, fishing, arts and crafts, swimming, and nature hikes. Like all kids, our campers want new and exciting adventures. With this in mind, activities are developed that provide for that personal challenge. Some include: an accessible challenge ropes course and carousel, adapted archery and SCUBA diving. It’s about creating opportunities for individual accomplishment in a positive and encouraging environment. Parents continually report increased independence, self-esteem, and social interactions following a week at Camp.
The mission of Whispering Hope Ranch Foundation is to offer special needs children and their families rustic, Arizona ranch-style camp and retreat experiences enhanced by programs designed to foster nurturing interactions between campers and the animals residing at the Ranch.
Whispering Hope Ranch Foundation is distinctive in terms of our unique programs whereby individuals with special needs interact with our animal residents, most all of whom were born with physical differences or suffered injury, abuse, abandonment, or loss of a caregiver. Our specially-designed facility and programs are the result of a collaborative effort with numerous community organizations that serve children and families with special needs – from the design of the facility to the programs designed to meet the needs of these special, diverse underserved populations. This beautiful mountain sanctuary situated east of Payson, Arizona, was built from the ground up to accommodate the unique and often complex needs of individuals facing myriad challenges. Working in partnership with organizations that serve those with physical, medical and developmental challenges, Whispering Hope Ranch provides the wonder of nature and animals in a fully accessible, healing environment.
Recreation Unlimited is a not-for profit organization serving individuals with physical and developmental disabilities and health concerns. The mission of Recreation Unlimited is to provide year-round programs in sports, recreation and education for individuals with disabilities and health concerns, while building self-confidence, self-esteem and promoting positive human relations, attitudes, and behaviors. Recreation Unlimited is a magical place, where dreams come true for individuals with disabilities and health concerns. Recreation Unlimited is a place where no one has a disability and all are equal. It is also a place where parents and families gain a respite from the 24/7 demands of caring for an individual with a disability or health concern. Recreation Unlimited is a dream come true for all. The year-round 195-acre, wheelchair accessible campus features a new 10,850 sq. ft. semi-private residence hall, The Greif Retreat House, a 20,000 sq. ft. Life Center, three major residence halls, a private cottage for retreats, multi-purpose lodge, creative center, dining hall, outdoor pavilion, health services center and nurses quarters, outpost camp site, administrative and support buildings. Outdoor sports facilities include an aquatic center, aquatic playground, track and field, tennis and sports court, accessible softball field, 25 ft. tree climb, two challenge courses and a 50 ft. Alpine Tower. There would then be a box saying “Apply Now” in the lower right similar to how it says Learn More below.
Airfield 4-H Conference Center - Located on the banks of beautiful Airfield Lake in Sussex County, near Wakefield, Virginia. The property consists of a dining/administration building, conference buildings, sleeping lodges, a health lodge, an amphitheater, a swimming pool, an athletic field, horse barns with 101 stalls, horseshow rings, a storage/maintenance building, a 4-H resource-storage building, tennis courts, a campfire circle, a nature trail.
Wonderland Camp serves many at-risk children every summer. Their lives are enriched physically, personally and spiritually through healthy outdoor activities in a safe and caring environment in which the children can learn and grow. Wonderland camp offers a variety of sports, boating, nature paths, fishing, climbing tower, rock wall, and archery.
True Friends Camp Courage lies on 305 acres of scenic lakeshore, woods and fields near Maple Lake, Minnesota (about 50 miles west of the Twin Cities Metro) on beautiful Cedar Lake. Recreation includes a swimming beach, Indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, game room, outdoor sports court, recreation field, mini golf, tennis court, hiking trails, and campfire.
Calvin Crest offers 250 acres of rolling hills, woods, recreation spaces and activities, hiking trails and scenic views overlooking the Platte River provide a setting for renewal, rest and refreshment of body, mind and soul. Activities offered are swimming, hiking trails, basketball, sports field, and arts and crafts.
Grizzly Creek Ranch is fully ADA accessible and located in Portola, CA, just 45 minutes from Reno, NV and two hours from Sacramento, CA. The campus offers modern facilities that are clean and comfortable. We offer a spacious dining hall, patio area with a fire pit, amphitheaters, various activity centers for programming, multiple campfire sites and a spacious lawn for play and learning. A health center is centrally located on campus and all staff are CPR/First Aid certified and have passed federal and state background checks.Grizzly Creek Ranch is surrounded by magnificent vistas, valleys and meadows on 1,500 acres of pristine Yellow Pine forest. From our high ropes challenge course to the forest and river ecosystems, Sierra Nevada Journeys' campus at Grizzly Creek Ranch is breathtaking.
Camp Fairlee provides a safe and accessible camp experience where campers are challenged to discover their full potential, acquire new skills, and make new and lasting friendships. While campers enjoy their time at Camp Fairlee, their families are able to take a needed break from caregiving. Activities are geared to age and interests of each individual and can include swimming, wall climbing, zip line, horseback riding, outdoor games, arts/crafts and more.
Variety’s Overnight Camp program is a fun filled educational experience open to children and young adults ages 7-21 with a developmental and/or physical disability. Our Overnight Camp aim’s to create an atmosphere of warm acceptance and guidance, and encourage participation at whatever level the camper is able.
Camp Grant Walker is Louisiana’s 4-H Youth Resident Summer Camp is more than just fun and games. 4-H Camp strives to develop a variety of life skills related to Head, Heart, Hands and Health. One of the most important skills children learn from camp is self-sufficiency. That is, they learn how to survive four whole days on their own. Activities include swimming, canoeing, archery, and opportunities to try various sports.
True Friends Camp Courage lies on 305 acres of scenic lakeshore, woods and fields near Maple Lake, Minnesota (about 50 miles west of the Twin Cities Metro) on beautiful Cedar Lake. Recreation includes a swimming beach, Indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, game room, outdoor sports court, recreation field, mini golf, tennis court, hiking trails, and campfire.
Camp John Marc inspires confidence for life through high-quality camping programs for children, teens, and families. Year round programming and specialized camp facilities are uniquely designed in partnership with Dallas-Fort Worth area pediatric hospitals, community volunteers, and health organizations who are dedicated to serving campers living with chronic medical and physical challenges. The dignity of each camper is nurtured at Camp John Marc as well as in the community through its outreach programs.
Located in the Appalachian foothills, Cedar Lakes boasts of a beautiful, serene settings with easy accessibility and a wide range of recreational offerings such as hiking, fishing, volleyball, miniature golf and disc golf.
Rocky Mountain Village in Empire, Colorado is regarded as one of the top Easterseals camps in the country. Rocky Mountain Village is fully accessible and used by more than 800 children and adults with disabilities during the summer camp sessions. Campers enjoy swimming, fishing, overnight camping, outdoor cooking, travel camp, day trips, arts & crafts, sports and recreation, hiking, dances, music & drama, horse-back riding, and riding the zip-line.
The Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center puts Honesty, Caring, Respect and Responsibility into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Through discovery of the great outdoors, skill development and guidance in the importance of building healthy relationships, campers leave with a renewed sense of achievement, belonging, confidence and courage to try new things. Activities that are offered are climbing wall, indoor swimming pool, waterfront swimming, splash pad, game room, gymnasium, horseback riding, petting zoo, and art & crafts.
Nestled among 450 rugged wooded acres, Pinecrest Camp is rich in fun, friendship, learning and adventure. The beautiful forest, located 35 minutes from Memphis, provides the ideal backdrop for summer camp fun or gathering friends for thoughtful reflection. Activities include swimming, arts and crafts, archery, biking, hiking, karaoke, night games...AND they go home more independent, more gregarious, more comfortable with the outdoors...Just MORE.
Camp Cuyamaca - East of San Diego, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park offers respite from the dry Southern California landscape. The park’s 24,700 acres of oak and conifer forests and expansive meadows are broken by running streams. Activities offered are swimming, casino night, campfires, talent shows, and a dedicated team of activities staff.
Camp Campbell Gard gets kids outdoors through programs that educate and expose youth to adventure and nature while helping them discover who they are and what they can achieve. All camp experiences build character, leadership, self-reliance and a love for nature- all amidst the fun of camp fires, canoeing, archery, talent shows, and meaningful relationships.
YMCA Camp Seymour - Camping, like many YMCA programs, is about learning skills, developing character and making friends. But few environments are as special as camp, where kids become a community as they learn both how to be more independent and how to contribute to a group as they engage in physical, social and educational activities. Camping teaches self-reliance, a love for nature and the outdoors, and the development of attitudes and practices that build character and leadership—all amidst the fun of camp fires, bugle calls, canoeing, archery, talent shows, and meaningful relationships.
Rocky Mountain Village in Empire, Colorado is regarded as one of the top Easterseals camps in the country. Rocky Mountain Village is fully accessible and used by more than 800 children and adults with disabilities during the summer camp sessions. Campers enjoy swimming, fishing, overnight camping, outdoor cooking, travel camp, day trips, arts & crafts, sports and recreation, hiking, dances, music & drama, horse-back riding, and riding the zip-line.
It is a wonderful three season camp located on 55 acres in Lexington, Michigan. It overlooks 1800 feet of beautiful Lake Huron shoreline and has two streams and a hardwood forest. Our campers will tell you that Camp Cavell has a positive, long lasting effect on people’s lives. We bring together people of many different abilities, cultures, and economic backgrounds, helping to create a respectful community. Activities include: waterfront, crafts, archery, horseback riding, kayaking, backpacking, woodshop, technical tree climbing, photography, nature and more! Our educational programs address environmental education, conflict resolution, communication, & team building.
Camp Courageous is a year-round respite care and recreational facility for individuals of all ages with disabilities All people, regardless of ability level, have the right to opportunities found in the world around them. Individuals with disabilities, as well as their families, should experience year-round recreational and respite care activities in a camp setting. Camp Courageous of Iowa provides this needed service to all. The camp provides opportunities for social and personal growth within a supportive environment. Campers learn to try a variety of creative and challenging activities and experience success. Campers develop enhanced self-esteem which carries over to work, home, or school environments.
Manzano Mountain Retreat has a wide range of recreational and organized activities for you and your group. With an Olympic sized swimming pool, a full size gym, indoor and outdoor basketball courts, fishing pond, and access to miles of trail, you will never run out of things to do at Manzano Mountain Retreat and Event Center located outside Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our team building and sports training activities are perfect complete that package making MMR a perfect setting for corporate retreats, for camps as well as family Reunions.
Camp Kostopulos is unique. Our services are available to people of all abilities, including many who may not be eligible for services at other camps or facilities. All of our programs are designed to teach new skills through the use of recreation and leisure activities. Our trained staff, excellent counselor to camper ratios, and fantastic accommodations set us above the rest. Our Lodge is equipped with a commercial kitchen, dining hall, and activity area. Campus includes a large grassy activity area, an accessible playground, stocked trout pond, swimming pool and pool house, multi-sport court, lighted pavilion, 3 multi-purpose Yurts, low- and high-ropes challenge courses, and an indoor equestrian center with stables and riding arena.
Camp Harmon is located in Boulder Creek, CA amidst the beautiful redwood forest of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Camp Harmon is accredited by the American Camp Association and serves campers ages 8 to 65. Each session is designed for a specific age group and for individuals with developmental and/or physical disabilities. Easter Seals Camp Harmon features a combined lodge and dining hall, an on-site health center, 14 heated cabins, an arts and crafts center, accessible swimming pool, a golf putting green, an athletic field, gardening areas, and an animal farm. Campers choose from a wide variety of activities including swimming, arts and crafts, horse-drawn wagon rides, archery, hiking, sports and games.
For 25 years, Camp Twin Lakes has delivered fully adaptive, medically supportive, and deeply impactful camp experiences to more than 10,000 of Georgia’s children and young adults, helping each camper grow in their confidence and experience the joys of childhood. Through intentional play, we develop mindful and confident children who are prepared to triumph over challenges. By learning perseverance, resilience, and a sense of community, our campers leave transformed and capable of extraordinary things.
Canyon Camp has been designated a National Natural Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior. Two of its five canyons contain unique plants and trees. The lodge, meditation spots, hiking, games, challenge course and swimming make this the right camp and retreat place for many groups. The natural beauty of the red-rock walls, the seeming isolation of the setting from the outside world and the convenience of a major city all make Canyon the perfect place to gather your group.
Camp Aranzazu is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults with chronic illnesses and special needs by providing unique camping, environmental education, and retreat experiences. On the inland side of camp, we have guest cabins, dining hall, an art center, two swimming pools, an archery range, Ropes Challenge Course, sanctuary, and two freshwater ponds. Our 27 acres on Copano Bay are accessible via a 600-foot bridge and feature a fishing pier, floating dock, nature education building, bird blind, boardwalks and firepit. We have a lot to explore!
Timber Pointe Outdoor Center is the premier resource in the state of Illinois for providing specialized outdoor recreational, experiential and family programs for individuals with disabilities and illnesses in a fun, safe and accessible environment. Each session includes traditional camp activities such as swimming, fishing, hiking, canoeing, a pontoon boat ride, arts & crafts, target sports, barnyard animals, high ropes, zip-line and horseback riding. We strive to create an experience that is inclusive, stimulating and educational while providing opportunities that might otherwise seem impossible due to physical limitations, developmental delays or illnesses.
This camp is supported by the Robert and Marjie Bennett Foundation
Sitting on over 200 acres in beautiful Orange County, The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center is an experience like no other. It's not hard to see why this amazing property has become a destination for fun, adventure, learning, and training. Its best-in-class facilities include two swimming pool, a nature center, bungalows, and more. Taking advantage of the bright California sun, much of the property runs on solar energy, adding to the sustainable environment created here.
Double H Ranch - Program areas include an indoor and outdoor pool, a high ropes course, archery, horseback riding and pasture, picnic pavilion, stage area, dining hall, Arts & Crafts building/ski chalet, and various other outdoor spaces used for recreational play and opportunities to explore nature.
Macleay Conference & Retreat Center can be found in the foothills of the Willamette Valley. Its facilities spread across 31 beautifully landscaped acres. Since 1993, Macleay has been hosting groups from around Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. The facility offers swimming, gym, outdoor sports, dining facility and lodging.
Camp ASCCA is a special place where campers with disabilities have the opportunity to express their individuality and independence within a carefully supervised setting.The needs of campers with disabilities are cared for by trained staff, and there are many different camping opportunities for all individuals throughout the year. Their families also are provided with a chance to relax in the knowledge that over 41 years of experience goes into providing a safe environment where fun can be had by all. The activities offered at Camp ASCCA include horseback riding, swimming, canoeing, fishing, arts and crafts, accessible waterslide, zip-line, water tubing, archery and rifle range, mini-golf course, paved nature trails, splash pad, and more.
Bradford Woods - Our Recreation Therapy department has been creating amazing camp experiences for children and adults with chronic illness and disabilities since 1955. We strive to give each camper a unique experience through therapeutic activities like archery, arts and crafts, basketball, canoeing, music, scuba diving, swimming, waterskiing, and low- and high-ropes courses, while focusing on building confidence, breaking barriers, and creating life-long friendships.
Camp Merry Heart Easter Seals - Our 123-acre, fully accessible camp in Hackettstown, NJ offers year-round programs in a beautiful setting that is both safe AND fun for children and adults (6 – 96+). With the support of our dedicated staff we provide activities that encourage inclusion and bring campers together in a way that promotes personal growth and accomplishment. Activities include swimming, fishing, boating, splash pad, games, hiking, challenge courses, zip lining, arts & crafts, gardening, team sports, rock climbing, karaoke, dancing and talent shows.
Camp ASCCA is a special place where campers with disabilities have the opportunity to express their individuality and independence within a carefully supervised setting.The needs of campers with disabilities are cared for by trained staff, and there are many different camping opportunities for all individuals throughout the year. Their families also are provided with a chance to relax in the knowledge that over 41 years of experience goes into providing a safe environment where fun can be had by all. The activities offered at Camp ASCCA include horseback riding, swimming, canoeing, fishing, arts and crafts, accessible waterslide, zip-line, water tubing, archery and rifle range, mini-golf course, paved nature trails, splash pad, and more.
Easterseals Camp Hemlocks is an accessible camp for youth and adults with physical, sensory, intellectual and developmental disabilities in the scenic woods of Central Connecticut. Camp Hemlocks offers a traditional camping experience for campers as young as eight and there is no aging out, allowing campers to attend into adulthood. Activities include, swimming in our indoor heated pool, boating and fishing on our 22-acre pond, arts and crafts, nature, health and fitness, and climbing our challenge tower. Camp Hemlocks programing is individually tailored to the needs of each camper to provide them the most enjoyable and successful camping experience possible.
Rochester Rotary Sunshine Campus is a fully accessible residential summer camp that has met the needs of children with paralysis and other physical challenges and their families since 1922. It is the only camp facility of its kind in Greater Rochester that gives children with special needs unique overnight camping experiences. Sunshine Campus offers state-of-the-art experiences for campers, including a rock climbing wall, zipline, Olympic sized swimming pool, archery course, fully accessible wooden treehouse, and the Gizzi Family Sensory Center.
The mission of Wonderland Camp is to provide a fun, educational and safe camp experience for children, teenagers and adults who have disabilities; to offer a respite from daily caregiving for their family members and caregivers; and to provide and nurture a personal development experience for volunteers and staff. At Wonderland Camp, campers will participate in various different activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, arts and crafts, recreation, nature, music and different games. Evening activities include dances, karaoke, pool parties, carnivals and various other events.
The Florida Elks Camp mission is to mold the current generation of youth into adults that we’d be proud to have as American citizens. Our motto is to “inspire, connect, and expand.” We inspire our kids through the quality of our facilities, of our staff, and of our programming. Without electronics, we help kids build connections between themselves and their peers, their counselors, and nature. Through all of this, we have the opportunity to expand their compassion for others, their own self-confidence, and their ability and desire to make an impact on the world around them.
Double H Ranch - Program areas include an indoor and outdoor pool, a high ropes course, archery, horseback riding and pasture, picnic pavilion, stage area, dining hall, Arts & Crafts building/ski chalet, and various other outdoor spaces used for recreational play and opportunities to explore nature.
YMCA Camp Kon-O-Kwee Spencer has been providing an unforgettable camp experience to children, families, and members of the community for more than 90 years. Our camp programs engage families, encourage adults, and inspire kids to learn, grow, and thrive. We welcome campers with special needs because we know the camp experience truly changes lives. It creates opportunities for campers to experience things they never thought possible. It builds communities by bringing together people with similar experiences and stories. And it’s something we believe should be accessible and available to everyone. We tailor our programs and facilities to meet the needs of every camper, including those with special needs. From wheelchair accessible lodging and nature trails, to a splash pad suitable for all abilities, to programming that’s inclusive and innovative, we make the camp experience accessible to all.
Easterseals Camp Hemlocks is an accessible camp for youth and adults with physical, sensory, intellectual and developmental disabilities in the scenic woods of Central Connecticut. Camp Hemlocks offers a traditional camping experience for campers as young as eight and there is no aging out, allowing campers to attend into adulthood. Activities include, swimming in our indoor heated pool, boating and fishing on our 22-acre pond, arts and crafts, nature, health and fitness, and climbing our challenge tower. Camp Hemlocks programing is individually tailored to the needs of each camper to provide them the most enjoyable and successful camping experience possible.
Our dedication to providing guests with exceptional homemade meals, comfortable facilities and friendly service-oriented staff has earned Quaker Hill a reputation for excellence and a following of many local customers. Quaker Hill Camp and Conference Center is located on 72 acres just 100 miles north of Boise. Nestled at 5100 feet in the mountain resort town of McCall, Idaho, the area boasts of a number of breathtaking views. Activities include swimming, kayaking, boating, climbing wall, multipurpose field, zip line, and much more.
Free from the confines of disease, illness or disability, children discover that they can just be kids! How does this happen? Victory Junction is a medically safe, yet exhilarating camp, that challenges children who have a serious medical condition to try things they never imagined possible. As they conquer activities like zip lining and archery or experience bowling, fishing or swimming, children build confidence that will shape how they view the rest of their lives. The magic happens on our lush 84 acres in the rolling hills of Randleman, North Carolina near Greensboro. Once children pass through our gates, the boundaries and limitations they live with on a daily basis disappear and they simply concentrate on having fun! That’s when they shine!
At Pleasant Ridge Camp & Retreat Center, you can take a retreat from the hustle of day-to-day life, participate in a variety of sports, or enjoy camp activities like archery and fishing. This beautiful facility seamlessly integrates accessibility and inclusion into every aspect of its design and programming. The Pleasant Ridge Camp & Retreat Center is a place where people are welcomed to be themselves. It’s an environment that promotes self-awareness and encourages growth and understanding of the communities we live in.
Camp Harmon is located in Boulder Creek, CA amidst the beautiful redwood forest of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Camp Harmon is accredited by the American Camp Association and serves campers ages 8 to 65. Each session is designed for a specific age group and for individuals with developmental and/or physical disabilities. Easter Seals Camp Harmon features a combined lodge and dining hall, an on-site health center, 14 heated cabins, an arts and crafts center, accessible swimming pool, a golf putting green, an athletic field, gardening areas, and an animal farm. Campers choose from a wide variety of activities including swimming, arts and crafts, horse-drawn wagon rides, archery, hiking, sports and games.
Our mission forms the base of everything we do at Happiness Is Camping. It is the foundation our organization is built on. We can’t accomplish this mission without the help of many incredible people. Thanks to the help of many kind individuals, we are able to provide services such as: exceptional care provided by a staff of dedicated medical professionals, around-the-clock supervision in fully handicap accessible facilities, exciting activities including swimming, an adventure and ropes course, color wars, hikes, cookouts, dances, talent show, and much more.
Our mission forms the base of everything we do at Happiness Is Camping. It is the foundation our organization is built on. We can’t accomplish this mission without the help of many incredible people. Thanks to the help of many kind individuals, we are able to provide services such as: exceptional care provided by a staff of dedicated medical professionals, around-the-clock supervision in fully handicap accessible facilities, exciting activities including swimming, an adventure and ropes course, color wars, hikes, cookouts, dances, talent show, and much more.
How to Apply
MDA Summer Camp opportunities are in high demand, so we urge families to register early, as space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis for those who are eligible.
Note: If your child has not attended MDA Summer Camp before, please be sure they are registered with MDA by contacting the MDA Resource Center at 800-572-1717 or email ResourceCenter@mdausa.org BEFORE starting your application. If needed, MDA staff will help you complete the MDA registration process and you can then begin the process below.
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1. Choose your MDA Summer Camp session in the search above, and click a camp to enter the online application portal.
Your child is eligible to apply for ONE camp session only. Applying for more than one camp may impact application processing.
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2. Complete the online application.
You must write an answer for each question. If a question does not apply to your child, please type “NA” for the answer.
If you need to save your application to finish at a later time, go to the end of the application and mark it as “incomplete.” Do not close your browser or tab as the information will not be saved on its own.
Some camp facilities require families to complete their application in addition to the MDA application. If this applies to your camp, you will be directed to the camp facility’s website directly to complete the application process.
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3. Submit the documents as outlined in your “next steps” confirmation email.
The confirmation email you receive after completing the online application may direct you to provide documents that can be uploaded to your UltraCamp account directly. Your child’s camp application is not complete without this documentation and must be submitted by the deadline. Extensions will not be given for any reason.
These documents may include:
• A pre-camp physical form
• A copy of the front and back of your child’s insurance card
• A copy of your child’s immunization record
• A recent photo of your child - After the online application and documents are submitted, we’ll be in touch!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can my child attend camp?
This unique residential camping experience is available to children with neuromuscular disease who are registered with MDA and are between 8 and 17 years of age. Children must be at least 8 years old on the first day of camp and 17 years old through the last day of the camp session.
When making your decision about applying for camp, please consider carefully your children's readiness to be away from home, their desire to go to camp, and their ability to participate in activities and enjoy the camp experience.
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Who will take care of my child's medical needs during camp?
MDA camps are staffed by medical teams that can include physicians, nurses and respiratory or physical therapists. The camp medical team will review your child's medical needs prior to camp and meet with you to discuss your child's needs on the first day of camp. During the camp week, the medical team dispenses medications, takes care of injured or ill campers, provides first aid and monitors the overall health of all camp participants.
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How do I know my child will be safe at camp?
Safety is our first priority. Camp staff and volunteers receive comprehensive training about the special needs of children with neuromuscular diseases. All activities are closely monitored, overseen by qualified personnel and designed to accommodate campers' individual needs and abilities.
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How are volunteer counselors selected and what duties do they perform?
At MDA camps, volunteer counselors work with campers around the clock. Counselors push wheelchairs, lift and transfer youngsters and, above all, become the camper's friend for a week.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and of sufficient strength and size to lift and care for campers and assist with campers' personal care. For most camps, campers' parents are not eligible to be volunteers at the same camp where their children are in attendance. Siblings and other family members are welcome to apply to serve as volunteers, but we typically do not pair a camper with a family member. MDA Summer Camp is an opportunity for children to learn that others are there to help meet their needs.
Parents can be assured that camp volunteers are thoroughly screened in a process that includes: a formal application, criminal background check, health and reference checks, and a personal interview. MDA follows all state mandates for volunteers who work with children.
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Is transportation provided to camp?
Transportation to camp is the responsibility of the campers' families. If you are in need of assistance, please reach out to your local MDA staff contact who will work to provide options. We don't want transportation to be the barrier to prevent a child from attending "the best week of the year."
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at ResourceCenter@mdausa.org or contact your local MDA staff. Thank you again for your interest in MDA Summer Camp!
