At the core of Family Camp are the amazing families that make this weekend so special. Families make connections with others who live near by, have children in similar age groups and understand the impact Type 1 Diabetes has on the entire family. Family Camp weekend gives participants an opportunity to hear from knowledgeable experts in various diabetes related topics, gather in small groups for informal discussion based breakouts and have fun in community with others.
A sample agenda could include such topics as:
Breakout groups with parents/caregivers of children of similar ages.
Presentations on topics ranging from the latest in T1D research/technology; social emotional impacts on children and families with T1D; tips and tricks for T1D lifestyle
Vendor fair featuring the latest diabetes technology, gear and local businesses.
Family activities like crafts, mini golf, disc golf, hikes, canoeing and more.
Kids Summer Camp offered by Gluten Intolerance Group
Conducts a summer camp for children with gluten intolerance.
Gluten Intolerance Group staff and volunteers go to some camps to cook the gluten-free meals and snacks. Other camps are Validated Gluten-Free and have gone through the GFFS (Gluten-Free Food Service Program). The gluten-free (GF) menus mimic the regular camp fare, such as gluten-free pizza.
Week-long summer camp for children affected by a parent's cancer that provides a peer-based support network.
Week-long summer camp for children affected by a parent's cancer that provides a peer-based support network. Activities include games, arts and crafts, sports, water activities, and adventures in nature. Camp is staffed by screened and trained college students. Camp nurse is on-site at all times to care for any injury or illness and to issue prescribed medications as needed. The chapter of Camp Kesem that runs camps in Oregon is based at the University of Oregon.
Offers a special camp for children with Type I diabetes. No child will be denied the opportunity to attend this camp due to financial difficulty.
A special camp for children with Type I diabetes. No child will be denied the opportunity to attend this camp due to financial difficulty. Three sessions are available for Elementary (entering grades 3-5), Middle School (entering grades 6-8), and High School (entering grades 9-12). Leadership Opportunities are also available for those that have graduated high school.
Early Support Services - Birth to Three Infant and Toddler Services Program offered at Holly Ridge Center - Windsor Building
Offers early intervention services for families of children with special needs. Program includes speech, physical, cognitive, and ABA therapy, a feeding group for special needs, and a special needs early learning playgroup. Suite #200
Offers early support services for families of children with disabilities, and assessments for children birth to 3 years of age that may have developmental concerns. Services can include Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Early Childhood Special Education, Social Worker, Infant Mental Health, ABA, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Registered Dietitian, and Family Resources Coordination. The Infant Toddler Program is certified by the State of Washington as the following: Neurodevelopmental Program by the Department of Health, Early Support Provider Agency by DCYF, Developmental Disabilities Center through DSHS, Holly Ridge Center is Early Support Services Provider Program for Kitsap County and part of North Mason County (North Mason School District area).
Autism Center offered by UW Institute on Human Development and Disability
Provides early intervention services, diagnostic evaluation, individual therapy, skills groups, speech & language therapy and a summer camp for children from birth through adolescence with autism and autism spectrum disorders.
Provides a range of services for individuals from birth through adulthood with autism spectrum disorders, including:
-Diagnostic evaluations
-Intervention services
-Program consultation
-Individual and group therapy
-Social skills groups
-Parent training
-Summer programs
Services are delivered by a multidisciplinary team comprising educators, psychologists, behavior analysts, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physicians.
Offers a free week-long summer day camp for children ages 5-12 who have a loved one with cancer, who have cancer themselves or who have lost someone to cancer.
Offers five free week-long summer day camps for children who have a loved one with cancer, who have cancer themselves or who have lost someone to cancer.
Provides themed activities including music, art, crafts, games, exercise, theater, therapy dogs and field trips.
Camp Erin offered by Providence Hospice of Seattle
Operates free weekend camps for children and teenagers ages 6-17 who are grieving the death of a loved one. Registration is limited. Camps are held in King and Snohomish counties.
Coordinates weekend grief camps for children and teenagers who are grieving the death of a loved one.
Facilitated by professional staff and trained volunteers of the Safe Crossings program of Providence Hospice of Seattle.
Adult "Big Buddy" volunteers offer additional support and companionship for campers.
Summer Day Camps offered by Kent Parks, Recreation & Community Services
Offers summer day camps for children with various disabilities entering grades K-6 and 5-7.
Kent Parks offers an inclusive day camp for children with disabilities as part of our Camp WALKAPALA day camp program. WALKAPALA Too is led by Adaptive Recreation Program Coordinator Lara Castillo and space is extremely limited; campers must be entering grades 4-6 in Fall 2025 (currently in grades 3-5).
WALKAPALA Too offers a safe, memorable, and entertaining experience full of friends and fun. Each day is filled with a variety of sports, games, arts and crafts, songs, and activities to keep campers active and engaged all summer long. Fees include all camp activities, field trip admission fees, afternoon snack, and one camp t-shirt per child for the summer. Kent School District offers a free lunch daily or you may send a sack lunch with your child. All field trips are subject to change. The first week of camp is also subject to change, based on the last day of school for Kent School District.
Camping Programs offered by Easterseals Washington at Camp Stand By Me
Offers summer resident and day camps for children, teenagers and adults with disabilities. Children must be at least 7 years old.
Offers summer resident and day camp and recreation programs for children, teenagers and adults with disabilities.
Camping programs include recreational activities such as:
- Arts and crafts
- Swimming
- Boating
- Archery
Overnight Camps offered by Camp Fire Central Puget Sound at Camp Sealth
Offers overnight camps for boys and girls, grades 1-12;
Offers special accommodations for children with disabilities and scholarships based on income.
Holds summer overnight camping sessions at Camp Sealth on Vashon Island for boys and girls.
Offers outdoor activities, experiences living and working with small groups of peers, team building exercises and self-confidence building activities.
The camp is American Camping Association Accredited.
Provides a community summer day camp for kids with special needs.
Provides a community summer day camp for kids with special needs with opportunities to make new friends. It provides respite for parents while kids participate in constructive activities out in the community. Camp is offered weekly during the summer months. Kids can attend one week or all eight.
Volunteer Requirements: be committed to helping children with developmental disabilities; age 11 or older, if 18 and over, pass a Washington State Patrol background check; make a minimum one-week commitment; be able to follow directions and assist in group activities; attend Partner ‘n Pals volunteer orientation; and complete the volunteer packet.
Volunteer Responsibilities: work and play with assigned special needs partner and /or group; help camper (Pal) participate in activities; communicate and work as a team member with staff; assist staff in making sure Pals are safe; keep informed of daily information; and provide own transportation to and from camp.
Camp I-Vy offered by Bleeding Disorder Foundation of Washington
Offers summer camp, social programs and events for youth with hemophilia, their friends and families; nurse accompanies group.
Coordinates a bleeding disorders summer camp for families in conjunction with the Puget Sound Blood Center's Hemophilia Program.
Provides informal social gatherings for peer groups, their friends and families.
Nurses and doctors accompanies participants during the camp.
Camp Discovery offered by Epilepsy Foundation Washington
Summer camp is held every August for children ages 7-16 years with epilepsy and their siblings at a campground in Snohomish County. Two nurses are on site at all times. No fees for children with epilepsy and one sibling.
Summer camp is held every August for youth with epilepsy and their siblings.
Camps are held at a campground in Auburn, WA and Tillamook County, OR.
Two nurses are on site at all times.
Early Support Services - Birth to Three Infant and Toddler Services Program offered at Holly Ridge Center - Taylor Rd
Offers early intervention services for families of children with special needs. Program includes speech, physical, cognitive, and ABA therapy, a feeding group for special needs, and a special needs early learning playgroup.
Offers early support services for families of children with disabilities, and assessments for children birth to 3 years of age that may have developmental concerns. Services can include Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Early Childhood Special Education, Social Worker, Infant Mental Health, ABA, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Registered Dietitian, and Family Resources Coordination. The Infant Toddler Program is certified by the State of Washington as the following: Neurodevelopmental Program by the Department of Health, Early Support Provider Agency by DCYF, Developmental Disabilities Center through DSHS, Holly Ridge Center is Early Support Services Provider Program for Kitsap County and part of North Mason County (North Mason School District area).
Specialized Recreation Program offered by Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department
Provides recreation programs for people of all abilities. Primary goal is to provide opportunities for learning and growth through the experience of recreation and leisure activities. Provides reasonable accommodations for all programs.
Offers a variety of engaging activities in collaboration with Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater.
Tailored for individuals with developmental and/or physical disabilities, but open to individuals of all abilities, this program fosters growth, community integration, and friendship.
Through shared experiences, participants build self-esteem, independence, and lasting connections.
Most activities are suitable for those aged 16 and above, unless otherwise specified.
Provides a wilderness camp experience for families with either a serously/terminally ill or developmentally disabled child
Provides a wilderness camp experience for families with children who are disabled or very ill for no cost to families. Camps begin the 1st weekend in June through the 1st weekend in October. Activities include fishing, hiking, outdoor exploring, campfire sing-alongs, nature walks and boat rides.
Volunteers provide the meals and most activities while families reconnect within the family unit and with other families sharing similar health issues, as support groups are welcome.
Safe, accessible, and invigorating environment for our special needs families who often give up on family recreation because of the impact of the child's health condition.
Campers can come from anywhere in the Pacific Northwest.
Information and Referral offered at American Camp Association, Evergreen
Offers information and referral to more than 85 certified camping programs in the Northwest. Also accredits camps based on quality control standards.
The American Camp Association offers information and referral to accredited camp programs.
Summer camps include:
- Day camps
- Overnight camps
- Traditional summer camps
- Adventure camps
- Youth sports camps
- Special needs camps
- Religious camps
- Art camps
- Wilderness travel camps
Website lists camps and camp programs throughout the USA by geographic area, interest, age, gender and/or special needs. Accredits camps based on quality control standards.
The ConnecT1D Adult Retreat is an opportunity for people with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) to come together for a weekend retreat in Suquamish, WA to learn, share and connect around the experience of living with T1D. You’re welcome to bring your partner or closest support person. With humor, compassion and honesty, we’ll have workshops on a variety of topics addressing the psychological and social aspects of the unique life that is living with this chronic condition.