Camp Geronimo

The fun begins right at drop off when campers are greeted by their camp counselor at check in and then hope on a wheel-chair accessible hayride to The Barn!  Once they arrive at The Barn, lunches and snacks are sorted and everyone settles in for the day. Camp Directors call our campers and counselors to the Camp Field for a morning meeting.  Campers greet one another, review the day’s schedule and share in a song or fun activity.

Throughout the morning, campers engage in animal-assisted experiences with The Barn’s very special animals which include miniature horses, Sicilian donkeys, goats of all sizes, baby doll sheep, a lop-eared bunny, a pot-bellied pig, and our famous 22-year-old barn cat. Our Camp Directors prepare a SUPER FUN day of activities from water play, to field games, to arts and crafts, to scavenger hunts, to visits from special community friends!  Campers are shown a visual schedule for the day, and their counselor is always there to guide them and support their camper’s needs.  Campers are welcome to join in all or any activities they want but they also can explore any of our Barn spaces with their counselor if they want to do something different.  A mid-morning snack break gives everyone a chance to recharge for the rest of the morning’s activities.

At noon time campers munch on a brown bag lunch in our Outdoor Learning Center with their counselor and camp mates.  The afternoon is packed with more fun activities…children might play with a large, colorful parachute, run through sprinklers to cool off, tend to our raised vegetable and flower beds, go on a scavenger hunt or enjoy our music scape.  Campers may enjoy listening to a story in our bird’s nest, performing on our stage, concocting cakes and soups in our mud kitchens, and engaging in lots of fun dramatic play which is set up in various spots throughout our Outdoor Learning Center.  The Outdoor Learning Center is the hug of camp and has been designed with sensory activities, learning gardens and many fun areas to explore.

A Day Camp for Children with Disabilities

Camp Geronimo is open to children 6—12 years old. Our campers come from the Greater Philadelphia area and surrounding states. We serve children of all abilities with diagnoses ranging from autism spectrum disorder (ASD); Down syndrome; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; cerebral palsy; physical disabilities; epilepsy; genetic disorders; and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

At The Barn, our focus is on the unique connection between animals and children and their love for one another. Animal interaction motivates campers to participate in sensory and physical activities in ways they never imagined. Whether it’s feeding a baby calf from a bottle, grooming one of our miniature horses, or engaging in different activities with our farm animals, campers will enjoy a week of memorable experiences.

Sensory play, music therapy, yoga, arts and crafts, animal care, nature exploration, and field games are camp activities designed to achieve individual growth. We are dedicated to enriching social skills, promoting leadership qualities, and creating unique experiences for all campers. Our friendly farm animals, knowledgeable staff, and caring counselors ensure that The Barn remains a safe space where children with disabilities can thrive.

One-to-One Counselor to Camper Ratio

Our unique one-to-one ratio of counselors to campers encourages participation and ensures that all children can enjoy a full range of activities, while being safely supported throughout the day. This relationship is so special for both the camper and counselor as together they build self-confidence and trust.  Wonderful friendships are formed, and we see so much growth in our campers in just one week!  In addition to our staff and counselors, we have an on-site nurse to support our campers’ special medical needs.

Cost per week at Camp Geronimo: $500

Interested in participating? Tours and more information are available by contacting us. 

Extended School Year Services at Camp Geronimo

Families may wish to consider Camp Geronimo as an Extended School Year (ESY) option. Although Camp Geronimo is a recreational program, we are typically able to provide “pull out” space to campers requiring outside services, such as Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, tutoring services, etc. Please inform our Program Manager prior to the start of camp if your child will be receiving outside services while at camp.

The Process

Qualification for ESY services is determined by your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team in your school district. If your child qualifies for ESY services and has IEP goals related to social development, Camp Geronimo may be an acceptable service provider. Arrangements for ESY services at The Barn are determined between school districts and families which is separate from our camp application process. 

1. In order to reserve your child’s spot at Camp Geronimo, please register through our online application. 
2. Request Camp Geronimo as your child’s out of district ESY service provider.
3. Submit your child’s IEP to our Program Director. 
4. Submit the required camp forms.

Our team will promptly review these materials and determine whether Camp Geronimo would benefit your child. For any questions or clarification, please contact us at [email protected] or call The Barn at 610-793-1037.