How to Choose the Right Summer Camp (and Summer Activities) for a Child with ADHD
May 04, 2025
Summer break brings a welcome shift in pace—but for children with ADHD, that shift can be a mixed bag. The structure of the school year, while sometimes overwhelming, provides a consistent routine that many kids with ADHD rely on to thrive. When summer arrives and routines fall away, it can lead to increased frustration, restlessness, and difficulty with self-regulation.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right plan and mindset, summer can be a time of joy, discovery, and growth. Whether you’re looking for the right summer camp or planning daily activities at home, there are ways to support your child’s needs while still letting them enjoy the freedom of summer. This article explores what makes a summer successful for kids with ADHD, what to look for in a camp, and how to set your child up for success.
Why Summer Can Be Challenging (and Transformative) for Kids with ADHD
Children with ADHD often do best when there’s a consistent structure, physical activity, and a clear sense of expectations. Unfortunately, summer vacation—though fun—often disrupts all of that. Unstructured time can lead to boredom, and boredom for a child with ADHD often results in impulsivity, irritability, and even low self-esteem.
However, the same brain that struggles with predictability also thrives in the right kind of novelty. When children with ADHD are placed in environments where they can move their bodies, pursue areas of interest, and be supported by caring adults who understand neurodiversity, they can build confidence, social-emotional skills, and even executive function.
What to Look For in a Summer Camp for Kids with ADHD
If you’re exploring camp options, it’s important to look beyond flashy brochures and focus on a few key components that can make all the difference for a child with ADHD:
1. Structure and Routine
Children with ADHD benefit greatly from knowing what to expect. Camps that provide visual schedules, consistent daily routines, and predictable transitions will be more successful than those with a “go with the flow” approach.
2. Trained, Empathetic Staff
Ask if the staff has experience working with neurodivergent children. Look for programs that provide additional staff training in behavior regulation, positive reinforcement strategies, and executive function support.
3. Low Camper-to-Staff Ratio
This allows for more individualized attention, which can reduce overstimulation and ensure your child feels seen and supported.
4. Active, Engaging Programming
Choose camps that offer a mix of physical activity, creativity, and opportunities for social interaction in small groups. Movement and novelty can help regulate attention and improve mood.
Camps Designed Specifically for Children with ADHD
(We are not affiliated with any of these camps, nor do we have first hand experience with these camps. But, we wanted to create a list that you can check out on your own!)
Here are several standout programs that are either designed for children with ADHD or are especially accommodating for children with learning and behavioral differences:
Camp Starfish (New Hampshire)
A highly structured program with a 1:1 staff-to-camper ratio, designed for children with emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges including ADHD.
www.campstarfish.org
Camp Sequoia (Pennsylvania)
A specialized overnight camp for boys with ADHD and related social skill challenges. Focuses on building confidence, friendship, and executive function in a nurturing setting.
www.camp-sequoia.com
SOAR (North Carolina, Florida, Wyoming)
Offers outdoor adventure programs for youth with ADHD and learning disabilities, including rock climbing, backpacking, and whitewater rafting.
www.soarnc.org
Jameson Camp (Indiana)
A supportive camp environment tailored for children with social, emotional, and behavioral diagnoses, including ADHD and autism spectrum disorders.
www.jamesoncamp.org
VerySpecialCamps.com
An online directory for parents looking for camps that support children with ADHD, learning differences, or other special needs.
www.veryspecialcamps.com
What If You’re Not Doing Camp? At-Home Summer Ideas
Whether due to budget, preference, or scheduling, many families opt to structure summer from home. The good news is, with a little planning, your child with ADHD can still have an amazing—and regulated—summer.
Ideas for a supportive summer routine:
• Create a daily visual schedule. Even if it’s just wake-up time, meals, a morning activity, quiet time, and outdoor play, the structure helps reduce decision fatigue and improve cooperation.
• Prioritize movement. Daily physical activity—biking, swimming, playing tag, or hiking—is one of the most effective ways to help regulate the ADHD brain.
• Build in novelty. Plan for new activities once or twice a week to keep dopamine levels engaged. Try geocaching, learning a magic trick, starting a lemonade stand, or visiting a museum.
• Use interest-based learning. Children with ADHD can hyperfocus on areas of deep interest. Use that to your advantage with projects, books, or science kits related to their passions.
• Schedule social time. Kids with ADHD often struggle with friendships, but summer is a great time for small, low-pressure playdates or skill-building social groups.
• Practice mindfulness and relaxation. Yoga, deep breathing, or guided meditation (try the Smiling Mind or Headspace for Kids apps) can help build emotional regulation skills.
Tips for a Successful ADHD Summer
• Involve your child in planning. Let them help create their daily schedule or choose summer goals to foster a sense of autonomy and engagement.
• Plan for transitions. Use timers or visual cues to help with activity changes, which can be especially hard for kids with ADHD.
• Keep expectations realistic. Summer doesn’t need to be a Pinterest-perfect lineup of enrichment. Focus on connection, flexibility, and fun.
• Use positive reinforcement. Celebrate your child’s effort and progress with specific praise, reward charts, or “summer points” toward a special outing.
Summer doesn’t have to be overwhelming—for you or your child. With the right supports and structure in place, your child with ADHD can make meaningful memories, gain new skills, and come out of summer more confident than ever. Whether you choose a specialty camp or create your own routine at home, the most important ingredient is intention—and a lot of grace for the messy, magical moments in between.
Parenting Alongside You,
Dr. Emma and The Aparently Parenting Team
References and Further Reading
1. Pelham, W.E., Fabiano, G.A. (2008). “Evidence-based psychosocial treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivit
2. Zentall, S.S. (2005). “Theory- and evidence-based strategies for children with attentional problems.” Psychology in the Schools, 42(8).
3. Barkley, R.A. (2013). Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete Authoritative Guide for Parents. Guilford Press.
4. Child Mind Institute. “Summer Success Kit for Kids With ADHD.” childmind.org
5. CHADD. “Guide to Finding a Summer Camp.” chadd.org
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