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Camp Scholarships

young boy in wheelchair at park

Camp Scholarships

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The Camp Scholarship program is provided through the Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (Family Center) and made available with funding from the Children with Special Needs (CSN) Fund. The Family Center will award up to $500 per child/per camp. Multiple applications per family will be accepted.

The purpose of the Camp Scholarship Program is to:

  • Increase accessibility to summer camping opportunities for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN).
  • Offer opportunities for CYSHCN to engage in the community, gain a sense of belonging, build relationships, and have fun in a safe and supportive environment.
  • Provide respite for parents and other family members of CYSHCN.

To download the camp scholarship application click the button.
For questions, please call the CSHCS Family Phone Line at 800-359-3722.

Scholarship Application

2026 Camp Verification Form

  • Children and young adults (up to 21 years of age) who are enrolled in, or eligible to be enrolled in, CSHCS qualify for a camp scholarship. Families with a child who is not enrolled in CSHCS, or who do not have a CSHCS-eligible diagnosis, are encouraged to apply; however, they will need to include a letter from the clinician currently caring for their child to verify the diagnosis of a special health care need. The letter must be written and signed no more than a year prior to the date of the camp scholarship application. For a list of eligible diagnoses, please see the CSHCS website.

    Eligibility subject to change. Please see the application for the most up-to-date eligibility criteria or contact the Family Center if you have questions.

    • The camp must be licensed* to operate in Michigan (certain exceptions apply).
    • To find a licensed camp, please visit: https://campsearch.apps.lara.state.mi.us.
    • Organizations that are licensed as a daycare do not meet eligibility criteria.
    • Applicants must verify acceptance by the camp by submitting a signed Camp Registration Verification form with their application. Incomplete applications may delay the review process.

     *Camps operated by a university, school district, or city/township parks and recreation program are not required to have a license. Some out-of-state camps may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

  • Applications from CSHCS-enrolled and/or eligible children will be accepted beginning January 1st. All other applications will be accepted beginning April 1st, and reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications will be accepted as long as funding is available. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Camp applications may take 3-4 weeks to process, and families will be notified once their application has been reviewed.

    Please note that funds are distributed directly to the camp. The Family Center will not reimburse families for a payment already made to a camp, including deposit.

    When submitting information, you can fax, email, or mail documentation. Email may be less secure. If you would like to know how to encrypt your documents, please follow the encryption instructions in the application.