Special Needs Camps In and Around New Jersey

Great, Inclusive Summer Experiences for All!

Everyone enjoys summer camps! The laughs, the games, the independence, and the friendships create happy memories that last a lifetime. If your child has special needs, there are wonderful camps ready to help them create these special memories with their differences in mind. Here's our list of 2025 summer camps for you to explore.

Camp On Tour

Camp On Tour is committed to helping young adults with social, emotional, learning, and cognitive differences have their summer of a lifetime! Their program takes groups of travelers around the world to experience new cultures and have fun while practicing social, emotional, independence, and executive functioning skills. 202.701.3979. theam@campontour.com. campontour.com

Summer on the Hill - The Winston School of Short Hills

Winston's Summer on the Hill offers a balanced camp experience with both academic and enrichment opportunities for children in grades 1-8. We offer specialized programming and a flexible schedule. Our camp instructors are highly trained in a variety of multisensory programs and techniques. We are able to individualize and differentiate their instruction to meet students where they are and help them grow as learners. Summer on the Hill day camp aims to offer students the opportunity to maintain skills acquired in their previous school year and sharpen their skills for the fall. Inquiries are welcome! 973.379.4114, wcl@winstonschool.org, located at 30 East Lane, Short Hills, NJ. WinstonSchool.org

Seaton Hackney Therapeutic Riding

Horseback riding is a great way to build physical strength and dexterity while also forming a bond with your horse and discovering effective ways to communicate. All equine assisted services are planned for safety and therapeutic benefit with the individual's educational, physical, social, emotional and/or recreational goals in mind. For riders of all abilities and they have all types of horses to accommodate riders’ needs. 973-644-3355 for more information or email (seatonh@verizon.net). 440 South Street, Morristown, NJ. SeatonHackney.com

Special Dragons Karate

Special Dragons is a karate program for children with autism and other developmental disabilities, exclusively teaching special needs students for over 12 years. Basic karate techniques are used to address eye/hand coordination, motor control, conditioning, balance, sensory integration, focus time on task and more. The program also helps students with cognitive processing speed and encourages neuroplasticity. Their on-location program can come to you too.Info@SpecialDragonsKarate.org. Locations: Union, Bellevue, Jersey City, and Paterson. 973.667.8525. specialdragons.org

Winston Preparatory School Summer Program

The Summer Program at Winston Prep New Jersey is an extension of the Winston Prep philosophy, principles, and model that takes place during the summer months, providing students in grades 3-12 with the unique opportunity to participate in an individually designed program aimed to enhance academic skills and foster independence. Students come from many NJ counties, including Essex, Morris, Bergen, Union, Somerset, and Middlesex. This academic program runs June 30-July 25, 2025, Mon-Fri, from 8:30am to 12:45pm. 973.500.6480 , located at 901 Route 10 East, Whippany, NJ. WinstonPrep.edu

Cambridge School Summer Study

Cambridge School Summer Study offers a unique opportunity for students who struggle to read or write, have dyslexia, ADHD, or Executive Function Challenges. This summer continue receiving academic instruction as well as participate in a variety of fun summer enrichment activities. Registering now. 609.730.95553. Pennington, NJ. TheCambridgeSchool.org

Harbor Haven Summer Program

Harbor Haven is registering for their 7-week summer day camp for 3-to-18-year-olds with mild special needs. Core areas include swimming instruction, athletics, creative arts, music, and nature/science. They promote many skills through karate, yoga, bicycle riding instruction, photography, cooking instruction, and the performing arts such as drama and dance. These program areas are run by adult specialists with knowledge and certifications in their content area as well as experience in working with children with special needs. West Orange, NJWest Orange, NJ. HarborHaven.com

Marble Jam Kids Vision Arts Filmmaking Practicum

MarbleJam Kids' Vision Arts Filmmaking Practicum is a 2 year program for uniquely abled aspiring filmmakers. MarbleJam Kids is a NJ DDD and NJ DCF Authorized Provider promoting creativity in the community. MarbleJam provides programs for children, teens and adults with autism, ADHD, developmental disabilities and other special needs. info@marblejam.org Hackensack, NJ. marblejam.org

Special Services Summer Camp at Kaplen JCC on the Palisades

Small group size inclusion camps enable children with different abilities to have fun with their peers and enjoy a summer camp experience. Priority is given to returning campers, participants in Special Services programs, and JCC members. An intake interview is required for all new potential campers. Eight week camp, four two-week options. jccotp.org

Pony Power Therapies

Pony Power Therapies' therapeutic horseback riding, horse-assisted learning and garden-based learning programs. Connects people with disabilities or life challenges to the wonders of horses, farming and nature. Explore their spring and summer sessions. Therapeutic Horseback Riding for 2.5 yrs+, Horse-Assisted Learning for 6 yrs+, Garden-Assisted Learning for 6 yrs+, All Hands In for young adults, Forest Babies for 18 moms - 4 yrs, Forest Families, Farm in Motion for 5-12 yrs. Mahwah, NJLocated in Mahwah NJ, Bergen County. PonyPowernj.com

Camp Shriver - Special Olympics New Jersey

Camp Shriver offers young athletes ages 2-7 a unique sports play program with and without intellectual disabilities. This program helps develop and improve gross motor, social and basic sports skills, including foundational skills, walking & running, balance & jumping, trapping & catching, throwing, striking and kicking. Register your child today. sonj.org

Union County Office For Persons With Disabilities & Special Needs

Check website for sensory friendly summer programs and events for children and adults. Offers several other programs including yoga, karate, painting, zumba, and more! In general, this office provides inclusive programming that caters to the unique needs of persons with disabilities and special needs. Contact 908.527.4807 for more information. ucnj.org

The Center for Contemporary Art

Registering now for special needs camp for students ages 6-16. Campers explore a variety of media as they experiment with drawing, painting and sculpture. Camp provides needed access to creative art experiences for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other special needs. The arts provide an invaluable avenue of self-expression for children with limited or no verbal communication, and because of heightened sensory needs, they often respond well to the multi-sensory stimulation and the hands-on approach inherent in art. 908.234.2345. Bedminster NJ. ccabedminster.org

Beyond The Spectrum

Beyond the Spectrum's multidisciplinary FUNctional Camp, a sensory-rich, play-based summer program for ages 3–8, supported by Speech and Occupational Therapists and Teachers. Offered as half-day (9–12) or full-day (9–3), our camp focuses on fine/gross motor skills, language, reading enrichment, social interaction, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Designed to engage the whole child, each activity supports development in a fun, supportive environment. Reach out to learn more or reserve your child’s spot! beyondthespectrum.com