Social Skills Summer Camps

See also: Social Skills Groups ... Summer Activities for Special Needs Kids

4 parent questions ▼
Archived Q&A and reviews ▼

Parent Q&A

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  • Social skills summer camp for 6 year old

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    May 31, 2019

    I have a 6 year old boy who is very quiet at school and doesn't talk or play much with other kids. I am looking for a summer camp during the summer that can help develop and promote his social skills and get him talking/playing with other kids. I am looking for camps in Fremont/Union City/Newark areas. Please share any recommendations. Thanks for your help!

    May 31, 2019

    Not sure if this is close enough for you but we are trying out Fiddleheads summer camp in a couple of weeks. It was recommended by our OT. https://www.seeds-of-awareness.org/our-services/fiddleheads/

    Jun 5, 2019

  • Social skills summer camp for teen with multiple moderate disabilities?

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    Apr 18, 2018

    I'm wondering if anyone has sent their kid to Quest camp in the last couple of years. They seem to have gone through a rough spot in 2013-14 when they expanded, but I'm wondering how they are now. 

    Also seeking other suggestions. Cal Camp doesn't work with our schedule, and Fiddleheads (despite what their website says, sadly!) only accepts kids up through age 13 (mine is 14, a boy with multiple moderate disabilities and no aggression).

    thanks for any replies!

    Apr 18, 2018

    Walnut Creek's Recreation department has an excellent special needs day camp.  Every week has a different theme, and there's lots of outdoor time.  Most days they end the day by going to the pool (or at least they did the last 2 years).  My moderately impaired 16 year old son loves it, he can't wait to go again. It's a bit hard to find on their website, look under Specialized Recreation.  

    Only disadvantage is the timing - the camp gets out at 3pm, which is challenging for those of us with full time jobs.  But it's worth it, my son loves getting to go to camp in the summer just like other kids.  

    Apr 23, 2018

  • Social Skills Camp for 12 year old

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    Apr 15, 2018

    Hi Parents,

    My daughter is in need of social skills. If anyone knows of a after schools program, camp, or group that assist with social skills for a 12 year old, autism, visulally impaired, special needs female that loves music,enjoys U- tube as a resource for any question she may have

    I want my daughter to enjoy a conversation with a peer and laugh alot.

    Apr 15, 2018

    You might want to check out Camp Altitude - it's a 1 or 2 week social-skills sleepaway camp near Cupertino. My kiddo has gone 3x in the last year (they have fall and spring weekend sleepaways too) and he really loves it.

    Apr 18, 2018

  • Social Skills Camp at Cal Recreation, Quest, Other?

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    Oct 11, 2016

    Hi - I'm looking for recent recommendations for kids with poor social skills. (My 8 yo child is not on the spectrum, but does have some diagnosed issues.) The archives are a little dated for the two local camps that advertise as specializing in social skills, Quest and Camp Blue through Cal Recreation. Has anyone been recently? Is what they offer truly different from what a really good, caring camp would be doing anyway? And if anyone has suggestions for facilitated social skills training or group therapy with midyear openings, I'd welcome them. I have previously talked to CW and Maria Antoniadis. Thank you!

    Mom of Clueless Kid

    Oct 11, 2016

    Hi Mom of Clueless,

    I have a 12 year old son who is in a wonderful, emotionally supportive, fun social skills group (ages 8-12) that meets in Tilden Park. They have other groups that meet in different places in the area. The organization is called Seeds of Awareness and the group is called Fiddleheads. The number is 510 788-0876 and you should ask for Bruce. It is facilitated by a licensed therapist and 3 interns (there are about 7 or 8 kids, the groups are kept small on purpose) and we look forward to it every week. I would urge you to get in touch, they most likely have an opening somewhere and they also have summer camp when the time comes. I love that my kid is in nature because he spends all his time on the computer, and he looks forward to this time every week to be with other kids. I really felt he needed the emotional support, rather than just pragmatics, and I know that he feels understood and cared about in this group. And thank you to the BPN parent who told ME about them, it is just right.

    Oct 22, 2016

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Questions  

Quest Camp or Cal Blue Camp for Social Skills

May 2007

My son's school has recommended that he attend a social skills camp this summer. He has ADHD, is quite anxious, and has problems reading social cues. Can anyone comment on or compare Quest Camp in San Ramon with UC's Blue Bears Social Skills track? Quest seems more ''therapeutic'' but I'm not sure my 9-year-old would feel OK if all of the kids are socially challenged and its a long drive (We're in Berkeley). On the other hand, Blue Bears doesn't seem as highly structured and we would like to have a positive outcome. Do any BPN parents have experience with one or both of these camps? Camp Mom

Editor: See reviews for Quest Camp and Strawberry Canyon Social Skills Camp

Summer camp for awkward 11 year old boy

Nov 2006

My 5th grader is quite bright but has some difficulty in social situations (no friends to speak of), and we kept him out of camp a couple of years back because of his difficulties getting along, but he got bored at home while his siblings were at camp.

Last summer he did well at Camp Gan Israel, and Camp Kefli (which he loved, especially all the field trips). He's decided not to go back to CGI (too much religion for the older boys), and Kefli is only two weeks, so I'm trying to figure out what to do with him for the rest of the summer.

He's not into team sports, drama or arts & crafts (likes books, science, gymnastics, videogames(!)), and I would love to find a Jewish camp, but we're in Lafayette and I can't find one nearby that I think he'll like, so I would consider any well-run camp that is welcoming to kids who are a bit ''different,'' and especially any that have a focus on building social skills. I'd love any input any of you have to offer. Thanks!

You son sounds a lot like mine, though mine is now older. One camp that my non- sports, non-arts & crafts kid loved is called Shake, Rattle & Roll , located in the Oakland hills at Redwood Regional Park, run by Oakland Parks & Rec. The camp has an odd name, but it focuses on nature, outdoor survival skills, archery and other fun stuff. He always came home filthy dirty but very happy. I would also recommend some of the Cal Adventures programs, like kayaking, rock climbing, etc. While my son doesn't like team sports, he really enjoys individual sports and outdoor experiences. I also noticed that Cal now runs a social skills development camp (go to oski.org). We haven't tried it, but it might be worth investigating. Good luck! Anonymous

Not quite an answer to the literal question, but pick up a copy of ''Hold on to Your Kids'' and you might find comfort in your son having few/no friends. This book really changed my perception on the idea that 'My kid really needs to socialize with others.'' Amazed

I recommend Camp Galileo for your 11 year old son. And although it costs extra, send him to the ''before camp care.'' The kids are engaged the moment they arrive. There is a smaller group. The morning counselors are enthusiastic, kids get a chance to start feeling part of the mix before other kids arrive. Morning kids have name tags and ALL of the counselors know them before the other kids arrive.

Then, there's the Art, Science and Outdoor games. It your son feels slightly awkward in one event, another will roll along soon. It's also broken down in age groups, so there will be a few kids older and a few younger in most cases. The camp has a three week rotation, meaning that the first week will repeat on week 4. My nervous 7 year old is begging to go back this summer. While some of the activities were below her actual ability, the camp was FUN and engaging. Camp Galileo Fan

Looking for Social Skills Summer Camps for 7-year-0ld

March 2006

I am looking for a one/two week summer camp or program for my 7 year old son. He has been diagnosed with non-verbal learning disabilities, primarily social skills deficit. He as ADHD as well. If you know of or have experience with any East Bay social skills or NLD programs, your input would be valued. Previous posts mentioned the UC Berkeley program at Strawberry Canyon, but this camp is for 3rd graders and older. Anne

My son, who is now 11, attended Quest Therapeutic Services summer day camp last year, and has continued in their once- weekly afterschool program this year. He'll attend again this summer.

The summer camp is in Alamo, which is a drag for working parents this side of the tunnel, but I have to say it was absolutely worth all of the driving and schedule juggling. We have since found a family to carpool with (families come from all over the Bay Area), and the afterschool program fortunately has an Oakland site.

They require a minimum 3 week attendance, which is what we did. It's quite expensive, and no financial aid (at least as of last year), and the only way I was able to do it was with significant help from my parents. But again, if it's at all possible, it's worth every penny. My son absolutely blossomed during his time there; the transformation was quite striking. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about the camp. My son also has social skills deficits, and suffers from depression and some ADHD symptoms. There are children there with a very wide range of issues/disabilities. Emily

My hand is waving in the air and I'm shouting pick me, pick me, I know the answer to this one!!

The very best and perfect place for him to go is Quest Camp. They are absolute specialists in ADHD and NLD and social stuff. Hang the cost and the commute - what he will learn will give him such a solid foundation for the next school year too. And he will have a blast too. Plus you probably will be able to car pool. Go to www.questcamps.com to check it out. Anon

Day camp for extremely shy 9 year old

March 2004

I'm looking for a local day camp (Berkeley, Albany, El Cerrito and places north of) for an extremeley shy (has Selective Mutism) 9 year old boy. My son will talk to kids after he warms up, but often not to any new adults. He uses non verbal communication with adults and gets along just fine, so far. He went to the BRJCC day camp for 2 years but doesn't want to go back there. He doesn't particularly like to swim, but loves other active activities, art, field trips etc. Kee Tov would NOT be the place for him as it is too busy and chaotic, I think. My older son loved Kee Tov. Any recommendations would be so helpful, Thanks, June

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