Choosing the Right Summer Camp for Neurodivergent Elementary School Students

Sending a neurodivergent elementary schooler to summer camp can feel like a leap of faith.

You want the magic of camp—friends, confidence, new skills—without the dread of a phone call telling you your child “isn’t a good fit,” or worse, that they were overwhelmed all day and no one knew what to do.

The good news is that the right camp is absolutely out there.

The trick is knowing what “right” looks like for your child—and how to spot the difference between a program that is genuinely prepared for neurodivergent kids and one that simply uses the word “inclusive” because it sounds good in marketing.

One helpful way to think about it is to look at organizations that build camp programs specifically for children with autism and other disabilities.

OCA (Opportunity, Community, Ability) has spent years developing its summer camp programming and has the kind of camp structure many families look for: it’s designed around predictable routines, trained staff, skill-building, and an environment where differences are expected—not treated like problems.

OCA’s mission is to create opportunities for children and adults with autism and other disabilities to learn, play, and grow alongside peers, with programming that includes recreation and camps, among other services.