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EXPERTS & RESOURCES
Experts and resources beyond REEL for families navigating twice-exceptionality, from diagnosis to thriving.
ND FRIENDLY SUMMER DAY CAMPS
Summer can be both a special and challenging time, especially without the routines and structure of daily life. For older kids, it can be a great opportunity to volunteer, get involved in the community, or try a part-time job. At the same time, it’s important to balance activities with what works best for your family—making room for downtime, rest, family time, and fun. As always, we hope you find what’s right for your kids and your family.
For more parent feedback about these camps, visit this Summer Camp Article.
Name | Location | Community Comments |
|---|---|---|
Athena Academy Summer | Palo Alto, California | “Both of these schools run fun summer camps for dyslexic students.” - A.K. |
Beacon Wellness Camps | Sunnyvale, California | This camp provides a supportive, collaborative environment where individuals can connect with others facing similar challenges, gain new perspectives, and grow together. |
Beyond the Box Learning | Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, and more | "One of Beyond the Box's summer camps was our introduction to writing with Royd and Shu-Hsien. He's taken several classes with them since then." - S.T. |
Charles Armstrong Summer | Belmont, California | “Both of these schools run fun summer camps for dyslexic students.” - A.K. |
CHC: Speech-Language and Occupational Therapy (SPOT) Summer Program | Palo Alto, California | S.P.O.T. gives your child the gifts of feeling understood, making friends, and having fun, while developing skills to help prepare them for their best school year yet! (Ages 5-9) |
CHC: Sand Hill School Summer | Palo Alto | Sand Hill Summer supports students entering grades 2–8 who struggle with reading, writing, spelling, or math. Combines interest-based activities, skill building, and fun. |
City of Palo Alto Summer Camps (Bay Camp, Zoo Camp, MakeX, many more) | Palo Alto, California | "Palo Alto Zoo science camp was great for my kindergartener. Shoutout to Jennifer who was running the camp classes and she was an amazing leader and super inclusive." |
Curiodyssey Summer Camp | San Mateo, California | "Before camp, they hosted a Zoom info night and contacted parents of children with special needs. On day one, the teacher had printed my email with notes." - C.Z. |
Decathlon Sports Club | Woodside and Los Altos, California | “We’ve had great experiences with my high-energy child; strong camper-to-counselor ratio, pairs kids with experienced counselors, and checks in frequently to meet our family’s needs.” - C.P. |
FANWAR LARP Camp | Palo Alto, California | Ed note: This camp runs weekly year-round. "It’s perfect for kids who love LARP and role-play—Dungeons & Dragons brought to life. My son and his friends can’t get enough." - A.K. |
Galileo | Bay Area, Southern CA, Chicago, Denver, Seattle | “My kids like Galileo Summer Quest. Choice has been key to my child’s success at camp, and Galileo let them choose their own focus area (for example, learning to sew).” — D.W. |
Great Book Summer | Stanford, multiple locations | “My child did this program between 6th and 7th grade; it was transformative; convinced them to read/analyse year-round, and helped them feel ready for school. Highly recommend.” — K.Z. |
ID Tech | Stanford and various other locations | Ed note: Check out their sleepaway options as well! “My 2e son had a fabulous week at coding camp. He felt like he was with ‘his people’ and kept coding for hours after camp each day.” — A.K. |
Jefunira | Stanford | “Activities are fun, creative, and mostly non-competitive games. They are more flexible than most camps - they want kids to try everything, but will usually accommodate.” - L.L. |
Kidizens | Los Altos, California | "My son has asked to return to this camp several times with him also attending its past summer camps and a spring break camp. I found the leaders to be inclusive and engaging." - S.T. |
Maker Nexus | Sunnyvale, California | “Wide variety of maker space camps including woodworking, metalworking, 3D printing, D&D, Arduino, and more. Small groups with plenty of support. Freedom to be creative.” - Y.V. |
Marine Science Institute | Redwood City, California | “My 2e and gifted children loved this science camp when they were in elementary school. The staff is friendly and overall the camp feels relaxed.” — A.K |
Movement formerly Planet Granite | Sunnyvale, California | "My 12 y/o has participated in their summer and spring camps for the past 5 years. He's progressed and it's one of the few camps he asks to attend every summer." - S.T. |
RPG Mystery Quest Field Days | Oakland, California | Ed note: This camp is run by Doug Ronning, a past REEL speaker. REEL parents have participated in his past online D&D groups and highly recommend his programs! |
School of Rock | Various Locations | |
Stanbridge Academy Summer Camps | San Mateo, California | "My 2e son thrived in this environment without incident. And made FRIENDS!!!! It is a major relief to me to know he's in a safe and supportive environment." |
Steve and Kate's Camp | Various Bay Area locations | "Steve and Kate's camp in Walnut Creek has been great with our kiddo. He is also 11 years old, and he gets bored and overwhelmed easily. The camp allows him to select his activities." - D.P. |
TechKnowHow | Various Bay Area locations | “Great camp for tinkerers, budding engineers, and LEGO lovers! Counselors were able to work with my son even though he needed extra support reading some of the instructions.” - A.K. |
Tinkering Camp | Half Moon Bay, San Francisco, San Rafael, California | “Tinkering Camp is the summer program of Brightworks School. It is an amazing hands-on building camp which my 2e son has loved for many years.” - A.K. |
Tribal Wisdom Academy | Los Gatos, California | “I learned about this camp on a Facebook group for Bay Area ND and gifted kids. My kids totally loved it! The husband and wife couple who run it are great.” - A.K. |
Wheelkids | Palo Alto, California plus other locations | “Good quality counselors and programs, worked well with our ND kids.” - L.L. |
Young Actors Theatre Camp | Santa Cruz, California | "I learned about this amazing camp that’s great for 2e and is highly inclusive - one kid grew from just watching to meeting industry experts and singing and performing abroad etc!" - Y.V. |
Please Note: This is not a comprehensive list of resources, but rather a collection of known or sourced resources.
Many resources are specific to San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties in Northern California, while others may be helpful regardless of location. THESE RESOURCES HAVE NOT BEEN VETTED BY THE REEL TEAM. Individual experiences may vary. We encourage you to use the resources as a starting point.
If you would like to ask whether anyone in our community has direct experience with a particular resource, please join the REEL 2e Google Group. To request an addition to these resources or share an update, please email hello@reel2e.org.
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