Camp Philly: Authentic Reading and Writing Experiences for Students with Learning Differences is an academic summer program - with an emphasis on reading and writing - for students in grades three through six.

The Camp Philly program focuses on students who may be struggling with language arts skills and strategies, or who may be identified as having learning disabilities. Instructors are certified, experienced special education teachers, willing to work with parents to develop an individual summer learning plan based on a parent/child interview, report cards, assessments, student work, and/or a child's IEP.

Camp Philly sessions are held at the Free Library of Philadelphia and various cultural institutions throughout Philadelphia. Program costs include instruction, all field trip fees, supplies, a snack and drink during each session, and a one-hour parent/student consultation.

The Easter Seals Summer Camp program provides a nurturing social opportunity, and offers specialized programs for children, teenagers, and young adults in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties.

All five Easter Seals Day Camps are accredited by the American Camping Association, employing over 150 highly skilled counselors, activity coordinators, lifeguards, nurses, and volunteers to assist all campers in exploring new ways to concentrate on their abilities and have fun.

The campers participate in age appropriate activities such as arts and crafts, swimming, music, athletics, group games, nature activities and special events. All activities are adapted to the campers' specific needs, providing a summer filled with therapeutic recreational activities. Lunch is provided for each camper, and special dietary needs can be accommodated.

One- to five-week Day Camp sessions and Teen Overnight Camp are available. While Easter Seals contracts with local bus companies to provide transportation for campers on a limited basis, families are encouraged to provide their own transportation, if possible. Camp registration forms are available online. Enrollment is on a first come, first served basis.

Scholarships are available for most campers, and no individual will be denied the opportunity to attend an Easter Seals camp based on inability to pay.

Hill Top Summer Camp is a day camp for boys and girls ages eight to 17 with diagnoses that may include a wide array of learning disabilities such as ADHD, Nonverbal Learning Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, sensory integration issues, and difficulty with social skills.

The camp takes place on the beautiful campus of Hill Top Preparatory School. Campers participate in an active, highly structured program that facilitates social connections through play and skill development.

Little Wonders Child Growth & Development Center, Inc. specializes in programs that encourage development in children. The facility offers pediatric physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as therapeutically-based group activities and classes, including adaptive sports classes, therapeutic play groups, specialized handwriting classes, dance, music, and more.

The Little Wonders Tots of Fun parent and child program - taught by a pediatric physical therapist - offers fun, gym-like classes that focus on developmental milestones through gross-motor games, running, singing, dancing, and climbing.

Birthday parties at Little Wonders include fun activities with a licensed physical or occupational therapist (and an assistant) that are geared to ability levels, invitations, set-up, clean-up, pizza, drinks, and paper goods. Camp programs are available for kids ages three to 15.

The Vanguard School is committed to providing comprehensive special education services for children and adolescents (ages four to 21) in a highly individualized setting. The school's ultimate purpose is to have each student become an independent, functional, and happy member of society.

Clinical services at Vanguard include speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy, as well as guidance counseling, school psychology, and nursing services. Individual and/or group therapy is provided by certified or licensed therapists.

Vanguard evaluates and enrolls students throughout the school year through open enrollment. The admissions process at Vanguard is generally initiated by a local school district. Unless a parent chooses to make a private placement at Vanguard, families pay no tuition to cover the $36,000 per child annual cost of education; revenue comes from reimbursement by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and fundraising efforts.

The Vanguard School also provides Extended School Year (ESY) services to eligible students during the course of a six-week summer session. The Summer Matters program is an innovative, free summer experience offered exclusively to Vanguard students ages 10 to 21. The program is separate from and extends beyond Vanguard's ESY Program to provide students with a varied cross-section of "real world" experiences.

The Woodlynde School is an independent college prep school, serving students in grades one through 12. Woodlynde teaches students to understand their individual learning styles, embrace strategies to enhance their academic and social progress, and create paths for success and achievement in school and beyond.

The summer program at Woodlynde offers weeklong academic classes that are individualized to provide challenge and support. In the afternoons, students can participate in a variety of activities, including cooking, television hosting, movie-making, treasure hunting, more. College Readiness and SAT Prep classes are also available. Summer programs at Woodlynde begin in the last week of June and run for six weeks. Details are available online, by calling 610.293.6552, or via email to Summer@Woodlynde.org.