Patients and Families
This guide is intended to serve as a resource for parents and families who are looking for extracurricular activities to enjoy during the school-free summer months.
(*) Denotes resources available to the international community.
Summer Camps
The Serious Fun Network* is a global family of camps and programs that provides a summer camp experience for the individual and/or family. Serious Fun Network Camps are designed to foster independence, resilience and personal growth by focusing on helping children see beyond the limits of their medical conditions and experience all that life has to offer. Find the camp nearest to you.
The American Camp Association has a full list of accredited camp programs that can be sorted by location and Special Populations or Disabilities. Search the full list of ACA accredited camps.
Day Programs
The Best Day Foundation offers half-day programs aimed at helping children and young adults with special needs build confidence and self-esteem through safe, fun, adventure activities like surfing, bodyboarding, kayaking, snow sports, and more. Learn more and find a Best Day Foundation site in the U.S.
The YMCA provides a variety of day programs geared towards nurturing the potential and supporting the development of children of all ages. Find the Y nearest to you.
Team and Club Activities
Team IMPACT matches children facing chronic illnesses, ages 5-15, with local college sports teams. Children are “drafted” to the team and participate as full-fledged members to the best of their ability, attending practices, games, community events and more. Apply and join Team IMPACT.
If you do not have an assigned social worker or child life specialist please feel free to use the IFOPA's Family Services Manager, Hope Newport, as your contact in the application.
Scout organizations* provide young people with opportunities to participate in programs, events, activities and projects that contribute to their growth as active citizens. Through these initiatives, young people become agents of positive change who inspire others to take action.
International:
National scout organizations for boys
National scout organizations for girls
In the United States:
Scout club for boys
Scout club for girls