Special Needs Campers
The Justice Department has filed suit under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) against an RV park owner, alleging discrimination against an HIV-positive child. As youth organizations gear up for summer activities, administrators need to follow o the requirements of the ADA.
Any child who has a disability, or is perceived as having a disability, cannot be excluded from camping activities unless accommodating them (1) would cause an undue burden on the camp, (2) would change the fundamental nature of the program, or (3) would place other campers at risk. As is always true with things drafted by lawyers, that summary has multiple caveats, explanations, and specific definitions, and each camp should consult a knowledgeable attorney about individual issues. For an excellent summary of the ADA as it applies to camping programs, see this article at the American Camping Association website.
If you need to find another camp that can better deal with a particular child's disabilities, the American Camping Association has a search feature, and Very Special Camps has an online directory.
