Camper Access and Support

At Southern Illinois University Carbondale, we want every camper to feel welcomed, supported, and set up for a great experience. Our summer camps are designed to be engaging, safe, and inclusive—and we’re happy to work with families to help make that happen.

Is This Camp a Good Fit?

Our camps are group-based experiences where campers participate together in activities throughout the day. To be successful in this environment, campers should be able to:

Follow directions from camp staff
Participate safely in group activities
Use appropriate coping strategies when feeling challenged or frustrated

At this time, we are not able to provide one-on-one supervision. If you’re unsure whether a camp is the right fit for your camper, we encourage you to reach out—we’re happy to talk it through with you.

Requesting Accommodations

We’re committed to making reasonable accommodations whenever possible so campers can fully participate. If your camper may need support—whether related to mobility, communication, or another need—please let us know.

Here’s how to request an accommodation:

Contact the camp coordinator contact listed on the specific camp page or go ahead and fill out a medical release form as there is an accommodations section on that form.
Please submit requests at least 10 days before camp begins.

We’ll always do our best to help, even if a request comes in later—but advance notice gives us the best chance to prepare. You’ll also have the opportunity to share any needs on the camp medical/release forms, which our team reviews carefully ahead of camp.

Dietary Needs

We understand that some campers have dietary needs, including allergies or medical conditions like Celiac disease.

Depending on the camp, we may be able to:

Coordinate with dining services
Help with storage for personal food (including refrigeration when available)
Make housing considerations when needed (for example, allergen awareness in shared spaces)

Please be sure to:

Note any dietary needs on the medical/release form, and
Reach out to the camp in advance so we can plan accordingly

Housing & Overnight Camps

For camps that include an overnight stay:

Campers will share living spaces with other participants

We do our best to support reasonable requests related to health, safety, and accessibility. Please note that Service Animals are allowed at camps in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Generally, Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are not permitted for camps shorter than two weeks.

Accessibility Resources

Want to explore campus accessibility ahead of time? View accessible entrances, routes, and more

Our Commitment

SIU Carbondale is proud to provide programs that reflect our values of access, opportunity, and student success. We do not discriminate in participation in our camps based on race, national origin, sex, gender, or other protected status.

Questions? We’re Here to Help.

If you have questions at any point, please reach out to the camp coordinator listed on your camp page. We’re always happy to connect and help you feel confident about your camper’s experience.

Camper Access and Support