This year, Camp Summit "Celebrates 76 Years of Making Camping Possible for People with Special Needs!" Our typical schedule will provide residential camp programs eleven months annually for children, adults, and seniors with disabilities. All sessions are offered at our barrier-free camp in Paradise, Texas and typically consist of 20 weeklong sessions: 2 spring break sessions; 10 summer sessions; and 8 fall sessions. Weekend sessions, respite days and family fun days are offered throughout the year giving a variety of opportunities. Core programs include swimming in our beach entry pool, adapted archery, horseback riding, sports, adapted ropes challenge course with "Giant Swing", fishing, music, drama, arts & crafts, photography, and more - all adapted to each individual's abilities and needs.
Individuals with special needs often face many barriers that can limit their participation. These may include fewer services available; accessibility to safe sites; financial constraints; mobility needs; medical needs; and stigmas associated with their disability. Many times, financial burdens associated with medical and caregiver costs make recreational activities impossible - leaving them lonely and isolated.
At Camp Summit, these issues are never a concern. In addition to providing a rare, FUN outdoor experience, we eliminate many common barriers faced by our campers through an open registration process, by providing a 2:1 ratio of camper to counselor, medical care, including RN's on site 24/7, so even the most medically fragile camper can attend safely, programs designed to be adapted for every possible need, and by offering camperships and financial assistance to approximately 90% of our campers with financial needs.
Through our universally accessible programs we focus on Abilities rather than disAbilities!
Our Needs
Camp Summit develops and delivers outdoor camping experiences for children, adults, and seniors with disabilities. Motivated by the fact that our campers and their families have few, if any, options for overnight and stay-away recreational experiences that also improves their independence, confidence and social skills, Camp Summit offers our programs to develop these skills and freedoms for our campers.
A critical component of our program is eliminating barriers faced by this special population. We provide a totally barrier-free and adaptable program for all types of disabilities plus, we address financial burdens, which are a very real barrier prohibiting participation. In a typical year, we serve over 2,000 campers and provided assistance, so no one is denied service due to their inability to pay.
Camp Summit successfully eliminates financial barriers for our campers through our Campership and Financial Assistance Project which provides sliding scale fees and camperships to 90% of our campers. This ensures that families can provide the life changing experience of camp for their loved one with a disability, regardless of any financial constraints.
Our camping program provides a barrier-free environment where campers of all ages and disabilities can enjoy nature in a rural setting as they participate in traditional camp activities adapted just for them. In addition to having fun, achieving new challenges, and making new friends, our campers also improve their independence and social skills. Another critical and secondary benefit of our program is the respite it provides to families and caregivers who care for their loved one with a disability round-the-clock.
A special thank you to The Soroptimist Dallas Fund of The Dallas Foundation
for supporting Camp Summit with a $25,000 matching gift.