Many families of children with disabilities or who are neurodivergent choose not to disclose their child’s needs when enrolling in summer camp. It’s important to understand the root causes of such nondisclosure, as well as actionable steps for camp staff to foster a more supportive environment.

Many camp staff have encountered situations in which a child arrives with unique needs that staff only learn about mid-program. It’s easy to feel frustrated and ask, “Why didn’t the family tell us?” But understanding why some parents don’t disclose their child’s disabilities or challenges can open the door to a more compassionate, inclusive approach.

Parents of children with disabilities may carry years of complex experiences — feeling judged, facing rejection, or simply wanting their child to blend in. Disclosure can feel risky, and for some families, it’s easier to hope for the best rather than share details. Camp programs have an incredible opportunity to ease these fears, making disclosure a safe, welcoming choice by embedding inclusivity into every step of the registration process and beyond.

As a parent, all I want is for my child to feel welcomed and accepted, without fear that having a disability will result in being penalized, labeled, or segregated. It’s important to us that my child has the same opportunities as everyone else, and that means feeling supported, not singled out. From a business perspective, when programs are open about their commitment to inclusion and make families feel comfortable sharing their child’s needs, it not only improves the experience for families but also helps ensure full participation. This benefits everyone — children thrive, parents trust the program, and the business sees increased engagement and loyalty from the community. Inclusion is good for both the kids and the bottom line.

– Sandra, parent of Dylan, who is neurodivergent

Reasons Behind Nondisclosure

Some of the reasons parents choose not to disclose their child’s support (or unique) needs include:

• Fear of exclusion or denial of access. Families may worry that disclosing their child’s needs will lead to being denied a spot at camp.
• Previous negative experiences. Many families have been turned away or judged before, impacting their willingness to share.
• Desire for normalcy. Some parents wish for their child to experience camp without labels or assumptions about their abilities.
• Unclear registration process. Sometimes the program’s messaging doesn’t explicitly invite or encourage disclosure.

Creating a Welcoming Environment

Camp programs play a crucial role in fostering trust with families by communicating a commitment to inclusion from the outset. Camps can achieve this by taking the following steps:

• Provide inclusive registration forms. Use language like, “We welcome children of all abilities. Please share any supports that will help your child thrive at camp.”
• Lay out clear policies. Highlight inclusion in marketing materials and policies to show your commitment to supporting campers of all abilities.
• Highlight inclusive strategies. Emphasize the inclusive strategies used throughout the organization, such as visual supports or sensory-friendly spaces. This shows that these practices are part of the camp’s everyday operations, not just for specific individuals.
• Supply confidential reporting options: Offer easy, confidential ways for families to share their child’s needs.
• Normalize accommodations: Frame accommodation requests as standard practice, reinforcing that all children deserve support.

By adopting these practices, camp programs create an environment where families feel confident their children will be welcomed, understood, and supported.

To build trust and encourage disclosure, camp staff should be trained to respond empathetically, using language that reassures families their child’s needs will be understood and supported. Proactive outreach — such as brief check-ins before the program begins or offering a tour that highlights inclusion strategies (e.g., visual tools used for all) — provides an opportunity to ask families if any specific supports would help their child succeed. This approach signals a genuine organizational commitment to inclusion and helps reduce the fear of judgment.

Highlighting success stories of past accommodations can also help families feel more comfortable sharing information. When families see that their child is likely to thrive in a supportive environment, they are more inclined to disclose needs upfront. Failing to gather this information can have business implications: unmet needs may lead to negative experiences, increased staff stress, and potential program dropouts, all of which can undermine the organization’s reputation and enrollment numbers. By making disclosure feel safe and routine, camp programs create a win-win for both families and camp operations.

Nondisclosure is rarely about withholding information — it often stems from a history of families feeling unsafe or unsupported when sharing their child’s needs. For camp programs, this means missed opportunities to provide the best experience for campers and potential reputational risks if needs aren’t met. By leading with a commitment to creating welcoming environments, camp professionals can foster trust, making families feel included, safe, and valued. Investing in this approach not only supports children of all abilities, but also strengthens program quality, camper retention, and overall community confidence in your organization.

A Story of Disclosure and Inclusion: The Difference a Welcoming Environment Makes at Summer Camp

Ernie, a single father, is determined to give his seven-year-old son, Roberto, the same experiences that his older son, Anthony, enjoys every summer. Anthony has attended an overnight camp for the past few years and loves it, but Roberto has ADHD and sensory processing disorder, which sometimes makes situations like group activities and noisy environments difficult for him. Roberto can get easily overwhelmed and frustrated when he doesn’t know what’s expected or when too many things are asked of him at once. Sometimes, this leads to challenging behaviors.

Ernie, who works full-time and wants Roberto to have a sense of normalcy, hopes Roberto can attend the same camp as Anthony. He’s not sure whether Roberto is ready, but after Roberto’s positive experiences in his basketball and LEGO robotics classes, Ernie is hopeful that the camp will be a good fit. However, Ernie is uncertain whether he should disclose Roberto’s needs when registering.

Scenario 1: The Camp Lacks a Welcoming Environment

Ernie sits at the kitchen table, looking over the summer camp registration form. There is a section for special accommodations, but the way it’s worded makes Ernie uneasy. “Does your child require any special assistance or accommodations?” The question feels daunting, and Ernie worries that mentioning Roberto’s needs might result in him being excluded or rejected. Will the camp staff think Roberto is too much trouble? Will they be unwilling to work with him?

In the end, Ernie chooses not to disclose Roberto’s challenges, hoping it will all work out.

On the first day of camp, Roberto seems excited but quickly becomes overstimulated by the noise and the unfamiliar routine. The counselor, trying to keep up with the schedule, doesn’t check in with Roberto or offer any support when Roberto begins to shut down. As the day goes on, Roberto’s frustration grows. He doesn’t know what is expected of him, which leads to challenging behavior. Then the other kids stare and make comments, and Roberto withdraws even more. When Ernie learns about this, he feels helpless. He wishes the camp had been a place where he could have shared Roberto’s needs and ensured he had the support to succeed.

Scenario 2: The Camp Fosters Belonging

This time, Ernie feels a little more hopeful when he reads the summer camp registration form. In the same section about accommodations, he sees a note that reads: “We welcome children of all abilities. Please let us know if your child requires any supports to help them thrive during their time with us.” It is clear the camp values inclusion, and that feels like an invitation, rather than a risk, to share Roberto’s needs.

Ernie writes, “Roberto has ADHD and sensory processing disorder. He may become overwhelmed by noise or unfamiliar routines and could need support with transitioning between activities. Sometimes, he may struggle to communicate his frustration and could need some help calming down.” He submits the form feeling a sense of relief.

A few days later, the camp director calls Ernie to thank him for sharing Roberto’s needs. She reassures him that they will have a plan in place to support Roberto throughout the camp.

On the first day, the staff greets Roberto with a warm, welcoming attitude. “Hi, Roberto! We’re so glad you’re here,” the counselor says. She takes the time to explain the schedule for the day in a calm and structured manner, offering Roberto the choice of a quiet space if he needs to take a break. Throughout the day, the counselor checks in with Roberto and offers him tools, such as noise-canceling headphones and fidget toys, to help him stay focused. When Roberto begins to show signs of frustration, the counselor calmly reminds him of the routine and gives him the space to reset before rejoining the group. No one judges Roberto, and he doesn’t feel out of place.

By the end of the day, Roberto is smiling, and Ernie can see the difference a truly welcoming environment makes. The camp isn’t just a place for fun — it is a place where Roberto belongs. The simple act of making inclusion a priority ensures that Roberto has the tools and support he needs to thrive.

The Business Implications of Full Disclosure

While the personal impact of inclusion is profound, there are also significant business benefits to fostering an environment where families feel comfortable sharing their children’s needs. When camps create clear, welcoming opportunities for families to disclose disabilities and challenges, they not only improve the overall experience for children, but they also minimize the risk of misunderstandings and ensure that children receive the necessary support to succeed.

Without full disclosure, programs may be unprepared to meet the needs of all children, leading to frustrated families, disengaged children, and staff who may feel ill-equipped to manage challenging situations. This can harm the camp’s reputation, result in negative feedback, and even lead to disengagement or loss of clients. By encouraging open communication, camps can improve retention rates, build trust with families, and ensure that every child is included and valued.

Creating a culture of inclusion, where disclosure is seen as an opportunity for better support rather than a challenge, can ultimately contribute to a program’s long-term success and sustainability.

The Takeaway

Ernie’s experience highlights the importance of creating a welcoming, inclusive environment from the very beginning of the camp registration process. Using inclusive language in registration forms, offering confidential options for sharing information, and actively normalizing accommodations, camps can ensure all children — including those with ADHD, sensory processing disorders, and other unique needs — have the opportunity to participate and succeed.

Creating a culture of inclusion doesn’t just mean providing support — it means making families feel safe and confident in sharing their needs, so every child can have a memorable, positive experience. Moreover, it’s a smart business decision that leads to stronger customer loyalty, better service outcomes, and a more inclusive reputation that will attract a wider community of families.

Photo courtesy of Camp John Marc, Dallas, TX.

Lisa Drennan is the founder of MERGE Diverse Abilities Inclusion Consulting, providing staff training and expert consultation to recreation, sport, camp, and community organizations on how to be inclusive of people with diverse abilities. For more information, visit mergeconsulting.org or contact [email protected] or 781.724.1918.