The Parent Resources page keeps you up to date with events and resources through out our community that may be of interest to you. Information about non-VMC sponsored events is for your consideration only: we cannot guarantee the accuracy/content of the listed events and services.
Check out the 2022 Summer Camps and Recreational list. Here you can find a wide variety of camps and activities for all ages and varying locations. You can also find information on swimming lessons for all abilities and needs.
Check out The City of Renton’s Summer Camp opportunities. Summer Day Camps are now Registering! Renton Recreation and our partners are looking forward to celebrating summer with you! Whether you are looking for an all-day experience, a specialty niche, sports, aquatics or the great outdoors we have a summer line-up for ages 6 to 14. All camps are designed to foster personal growth, create new and unique experiences, in a recreational environment.
The Kent Parks Youth & Teen division offers a variety of camps throughout the year to fit the schedule and needs of you and your child. Check out the links above to see all programs, activities, and camps your child could take part in! Examples will be listed below and more found on the website!
Check out Seattle Parks and Recreation for 2022 Summer Day Camps. As the most challenging part of the pandemic seems to be behind us, we're so excited to be rebuilding our staff and offering a variety of summer camps this year! Check out what's available below so far. Updates may be added as we determine staff capacity.
Boys and Girls Clubs of King County Summer Camp
Find a Boys and Girls Club near you!
Camp Erin - King County
Summer Camp - by Camp Korey
http://campkorey.org/camper-programs/summer-camp/
24880 Brotherhood Road Bldg A
Mount Vernon, WA 98274
(425) 440-0850
Camp Prov Special Day Camp
Forest Park, 802 E. Mukilteo Blvd. Everett.
Check out Recreational Camps compiled by the Washington Autism Alliance and Advocacy below and more on the website above!
Camp Berachah
19830 SE 328th Place
Auburn, WA 98092
253-939-0488 or 800-859-2267
Camp BLAST (Being Leaders and Sharing Talents)
Wallingford Boys & Girls Club
503 N 50th St., Seattle, WA 98103
206-547-7261
www.wallingfordboysandgirlsclub.org
Camp Burton
9326 SW Bayview Drive
Vashon Island, WA 98070
206-463-2512
www.campburton.com/youth_new_horizons_camp.html
Camp Killoqua – Camp Fire USA (Snohomish County Council)
4312 Rucker Avenue
Everett, WA 98203
425-258-5437
killoqua@campfireusasnohomish.org
City of Seattle Parks & Recreation Department
Special Needs Youth Summer Camp
100 Dexter Avenue N
Seattle, WA 98109
206-684-4950
www.cityofseattle.net/parks/specialpops/index.HTM
Gluten Intolerance Program at Camp Sealth
15110 10th Avenue SW, Suite A
Seattle, WA 98166
206-246-6652
www.gluten.net/events.php#camps
King County Specialized Recreation
201 S. Jackson St., Suite 700
Seattle, Wa 98104
206-296-4136
www.arcofkingcounty.org/guide/recreation/organizations/king/
Pacific Science Center Summer Science Day Camp
200 Second Avenue
Seattle, WA 98109
206-443-2001 or 206-443-2925
Special Saturday Club – Camp Fire USA (Central Puget Sound Council)
8511 15th Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98115
206-826-8908
www.campfire-usa.org/specialsaturdayclub
Check out adaptive swimming lessons below:
Auburn Adaptive Aquatics for Special and Medical Needs
We’ve worked with Speech Therapists and Occupational Therapists so we can better accommodate children with special needs such as autism, speech delays, motor skills delays, and other developmental concerns. From utilizing basic sign language with kids who don’t yet speak, to integrating exercises in the water to help with motor development and breath control, we work to understand your child’s needs and tailor our lessons to suit their comfort level and their current skills. Please just let us know how we can accommodate your child when you register. We want to create a calm, safe environment for your child to learn to enjoy the water! If you have an occupational therapist who would like to join your child in the water, coordination is possible! Please just let us know your needs when you register.
Locations that offer Special Needs Swimming Instructions
Provided by the National Autism Association
Click here for Autism Safety Fact & Swimming Instructions.
YMCA Location | Contact Name | Contaction Email | Location |
Auburn Valley Branch | Rebekah Celver | rcelver@seattleymca.org | Auburn, WA 98001 |
Northshore Branch | Jamie Owens | jowens@seattleymca.org | Bothell, WA 98011 |
Mill Creek Family | Janette Parent | jparent@ymca-snoco.org | Everett, WA 98208 |
Tom Taylor Family | Linda Cota | lcota@ymcapkc.org | Gig Harbor, WA 98332 |
Lakewood Family | Christine Daly | cdaly@ymcapkc.org | Lakewood, WA 98499 |
Monroe / Sky Valley Family Branch |
Leif Ellsworth | LEllsworth@ymca-snoco.org | Monroe, WA 98272 |
Mel Korum Family | Jodie Gould | jgould@ymcapkc.org | Puyallup, WA 98374 |
Meredith Mathews East Madison Branch |
Karine Zwicki | kzwicki@seattleymca.org | Seattle, WA 98122 |
Seattle | Zack Lisson | zlisson@seattleymca.org | Seattle, WA 98104 |
John O. Morgan Family | Natasha Castro | ncastro@ymcapkc.org | Tacoma, WA 98465 |
*Call your local YMCA for more info on swimming lessons near you*
The Henry Moses Aquatic Center is closed for the season. We are currently in the process of planning the 2022 swim season. We are hopeful to start our season, Saturday, June 25, through Monday, Sept. 5. Check back in early May for the latest developments on admission fees, swim session times, online reservations, programming and what you can expect for Summer 2022 as our guest at Henry Moses Aquatic Center. For information regarding Henry Moses Aquatic Center please email recreation@rentonwa.gov.
LINDBERGH POOL:
Lap Swim Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00AM - Noon and 7:30PM - 8:30PM.Private Lessons are now available. Please call to register or for more information on dates and times. Morning Water Exercise 8:30AM - 9:30AM. Monday & Wednesday Shallow Water, Tuesday/Thursday/Friday Deep Water. All other pool activities will begin at a later date.
Check out the link for more information on swim lesson levels. These skills are the minimum requirements for each level. Placement tests are conducted during open swim for free and no registration is required.
KENT YMCA Swim Lessons:
As the largest provider of swim lessons in the country, there’s no one more qualified than the Y to ensure swimmers build confidence with every stroke. Welcoming kids and adults of all ages and abilities, our program offers a clear progression track to monitor achievement while every lesson emphasizes personal safety around water. Whether you're just starting out or want to improve your stroke technique, each instructor tailors lessons to fit the needs of needs student or students in the class. Swimming is a low-impact sport that works all your muscle groups and builds cardiovascular endurance. It also stretches and lengthens your body, improving your posture. The support of the water and the lack of joint impact make swimming a good choice for people who are unable to undertake high-impact activities. Opportunities for Private and Group Instruction.
Covington Aquatic Center: is proud to offer the gold standard of swim instruction: The American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program. Each of our instructors is certified as both an American Red Cross Lifeguard and an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, and undergoes additional in-house training continuously to assure program quality. We offer classes for everyone! Whether you are brand new or an experienced swimmer, we can help you improve your swimming ability and water safety skills! Classes are offered for all ages and all ability levels. Parent & Child classes require an adult from the same household in-water with the student to provide support. Preschool Aquatics and lower Learn-to-Swim Levels are offered with instructors in the water. Beginning levels focus on water adjustment and introduce basic swimming and water safety skills. More advanced levels concentrate on stroke development, stroke refinement and additional water safety skills. Lessons are 30-minutes long, except for Competitive Swim Lessons and Adult Swim Lessons, which run for 60-minutes. If you do not know which level to register for, please contact us at parks@covingtonwa.gov for a consultation.
Register for Spring (March 7, 2022 - June 18, 2022) Swimming Lessons Online or call (253) 480-2480
Private Lessons are available in sets of 4 (1 day/week) or as individual 25-minute sessions. Semi-Private Lessons are available for two or more students registering for the same private session in the same transaction.
Private Swim Lesson Fee - $38.00
Semi-Private Swim Lesson Fee - $23.00
Seattle parks and Recreation offers a variety of swimming classes, lessons, and exercises at our pools. Find a pool in your area or contact your location directly for dates, times, and availability. A variety of classes are offered for all swimmers. For more information check out the link for schedules, lessons, locations, and more!
A menu of resources to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs).
This resource list was created by Shayla Collins and is distributed through the Washington State Medical Home Partnerships Project (MHPP). If you would like to share ideas or feedback on this list, please send an email to info@medicalhome.org.
Visit the Washington State Department of Health website for publications on children and youth with special healthcare needs.
LivingWell Kent provides early intervention programming, food access, health and wellness services and youth empowerment programs focused on health equity”.
Click here to view their website
Click here to view their early learning page
Starlight Children's Foundation has partnered with CoachArt to launch their new online educational STEAM Coaching Program. These fun lessons, integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM), are FREE for ages 5-18. From cooking to coding to science experiments and art, these virtual lessons stimulate curiosity and promote creative solutions to real-world problems, helping kids explore, learn and improve various skills that interest them. When you sign up, volunteer coaches will contact you to propose activities and schedules that you can choose from. Starlight will send you a STEAM Starter Kit and any lesson materials you may need. To learn more check out starlight.org/education.
Check out the ParentChild+ Early Learning Program where specialists help children get ready for school. This two-year virtual visit program is for ages 16 months-2 years. There will be free educational books and toys, plus a computer tablet provided. Check out the flyer here and learn more by contacting sapcpiccfs@gmail.com or call Bri Arfi at 253.733.9952.
Skills for Work Summer Camps is now happening at Bellevue College! They are teaming up with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to offer Pre-Employment Training Services (Pre-ETS). This will be a summer camp that will give 16-21 year old students job readiness training and community activities to explore the world of work. The goal is to introduce workplace readiness skills and career options to students by engaging in fun activities! For more information and to register, click here.
Join the Y and the Seattle Krakens for a sports sampler camp this summer. For more information click here.
Check out this article written by speech therapist Betsy De La Rosa, MA,CCC-SLP as she gives families resources to talk about the COVID vaccine, especially if your child fears needles! Resources include a cool/fun music video and a social story. For more information click here.
Join this online Lunch and Learn as they cover topics such as what DDA services looks like during transition years (ages 16-21). Also, pre-vocational support starting at 16 years old and many more topics. For more information and to register click here.
Bright by Texts is offering a great virtual resource for you child's speech and language development, and learn how to support you child's communication skills at home. They are offering a service to families giving them free informational text messages both English and Spanish! Simply text "TALK" to 27448 and follow the link to provide information on your child's developmental age and your location for free resources of local community events.
Join the New York City Ballet for their three weeks virtual workshops! Movers of all abilities are welcome to join for FREE! For more information on dates and to register click here.
This webinar class is for parents to learn about four strategies designed to impact their child's development and have a chance to discuss recommendations on their child's diagnostic report. Also, this is a chance to ask questions and buid community with other parents. This webinar for this month will be for Spanish speaking families with children under three. For more information click here.
Parenting is hard work! This website gives you a list of locations that offer parenting classes. Some locations require a small fee, others are free. For more information on dates, time and availability, please check out this link.
Here is a list of places that are doing car seat inspections. Social distancing and COVID safety measures will be in practice, to find an area near you and register please click here. For more dates and locations please click here.
This project aims to understand the impact of COVID-19 pandemic for services and education your child receives. Who qualifies to participate? Parents of 0-3 years old children who have been receiving Part C/Early Intervention/home-based intervention services since Fall 2019. And parents of 3-5 years old children with/without disabilities attending classroom-based instructions since Fall 2019. For more information please click here (English) (Spanish).
In this article you can learn ways to create a learning Pod for your children. Most schools have transitioned to online schooling and it can be difficult for families to find childcare or a space for their students to learn. Learning pods can be a way for students to socialize, learn and parents to have childcare. If you are interested in the idea check out this article for more information.
Child Find is a process in identifying children (between 0-21years) who may need to be tested for developmental delays and/or disabilities. Each school district is required by law to have evaluation and services available. If you are interested in more information about child find please read this article.
The National Stuttering Association is currently hosting monthly virtual meeting for children and their loved ones. For more information on when your local chapter is meeting and where to sign-up, please click here.
Seattle Children's is offering a 5 week class on finding strength and building community for parents and caregivers of children with health conditions or disabilities. For more information please checkout this flyer.
Reading to your baby and toddler can help with normal development of speech and language skills. Here are some tips to help guide you in reading to your child, from birth to preschooler. (English) (Spanish)
Play helps babies learn about their bodies, practice communicating and interact with their world. Get play ideas for supporting your baby's learning for each stage of the first year here. (English) (Spanish)
Your local school district is a wonderful resource for support for you child. In addition to the clinical therapy your child receives, he or she may also be eligible for services in your local school district, beginning at age 3. The attached document provides in our area, simply click on the link.
Connect with a directory of providers offering specific programs for children aged 0-3.
Join us on Thursdays, 12 – 1 PM, where children of all ages (not limited to Children’s Therapy patients—welcome siblings and friends!), will be provided an opportunity to learn through a variety of sensory experiences in the familiar space of the Children’s Therapy Clinic. Art activities are also an opportunity to allow children to develop social skills, express emotions, follow structured activities, and improve coping skills. Plus, it’s a lot of fun! No registration required, it’s completely free, so just show up and start creating!
Please click here to access a PDF filled with wonderful places to play for you, your child, and your family! Play together!
The Play Lounge is a wonderful place for families to play. For more information, check out their Facebook page!
For more resources click here.
Washington state summer camp and program options for children with special healthcare needs: This resource also has information to help address concerns if this is your child’s first time camping. View here
Occupational therapy practitioners are experts in promoting participation in activity, including play. Read this toy selection checklist, developed by occupational therapy practitioners, to assist you in selecting toys that can help your child learn and develop while having fun.
Appropriate Toy and Play Development Tip Sheets
Birth to 12 months English Spanish
A Care Notebook is a tool to help you organize important information about your child. Bring the notebook to appointments and meetings so you can easily share information with doctors, therapists, and school or child care staff. The Care Notebook is a resource available for parents of children with complicated needs or for children who see caregivers in multiple disciplines. Use it as a means of organizing home recs/reports/test results, etc. all in one location. The Care Notebook is free to parents! Access the Care Notebook here.
Challenging Behaviors
Are you experiencing challenging behaviors? Consider the ideas in this visual from North Star Paths "Reframe the Behavior"
Visiting the dentist and tooth-brushing are important self-care activities to keep us healthy! For some kids, the dentist office is full of new sights, sounds and touches. Going to a new place and meeting new people can be scary at first, but with some helpful tips and a little planning a visit to the dentist can be fun. Here are some suggestions for before, during, and after your child’s dentist appointment. Click on the image to learn more.
It's that time of year again, and many students will be heading back to school. Here are some tips to make sure that your student is receiving the recommended, eight hours of sleep! Click here for more information.
National Child Passenger Safety - Parents and caregivers receive education and hands on assistance with the proper use of child restraint systems and seatbelts. You can get a list of technicians near you specialized in working with special needs.
Backpack Strategies for Parents and Students and 1, 2, 3's of Basic Backpack Wearing informational flyers from the American Occupational Therapy Association.
The Take Me Home Program was designed for the safe return of loved ones who may have difficulty communicating or may need special assistance during an emergency situation. This kind of assistance may be needed if the person is unable to speak or properly identify themselves, or if they become disoriented or act in a manner that could be misinterpreted by first responders.
Registration
TMH Registration form must include a current picture of the individual registered sent via email to the Community Programs Coordinator.
Please contact the Community Programs Coordinator for questions or if you need additional information.
Sports Physicals: These are paid once a year for members ages 7-18. We pay in-network primary care providers for performing sports physicals for our members ages 7-18. Use current CPT code 99212 with DX Z02.5 when you bill. You can bill for both a wellness visit and a sports physical on the same day by including modifier 25.
Free Memberships for WA State 4-H| 4-H is a youth development program that serves youth statewide for member ages 5-18
Free Boys & Girls Club Membership | where available for members ages 6-18
Healthy Families Program: We give families with children ages 7-13 coaching and support on nutrition and physical activity
Memberships for WA State 4-H: This benefit is available for members ages 5-18 to support with youth development statewide
Calm app: This is an annual membership for members up to 18 years old. The Calm App provides age appropriate meditations and sleep aids to help calm the mind and body
TutorMe-online Tutorial: TutorMe is an online platform used to improve student engagement and success by providing easy access to detailed information on student’s progress, hours spent, tutoring and subject analytics. The maximum allowance is 24 hours per member, per year. This benefit is available for members between 8-17 years of age and at risk of failing a grade or individual subject, or in the juvenile justice system.