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Camp Wamp

Camp Wamp

Soda Springs, CA, USA

from$500
from$500
from$500

Overview

Camp Wamp, run by the Stephen J. Wampler Foundation, provides a life-changing summer camp for children and teens with physical disabilities. Nestled in the tall pines beside Deer Lake in the High Sierra mountains, the camp invites “Wampers” into an inclusive, nature-rich setting where the beauty of the outdoors and the power of community meet. It’s not just about what campers can’t do — it’s about what they can do. Throughout the week, campers build confidence through adaptive activities like canoeing, fishing, hiking, and an accessible rock-climbing wall.

What makes Camp Wamp truly special is its mix of rugged outdoor experiences with thoughtful support. Campers sleep on cots under the open sky (in a place the camp affectionately calls “Cotlandia”), take part in survival-style challenges, gather around campfires for music and stories, and explore nature in all its forms. The environment is designed for both excitement and reflection, where every “yes, you can” moment helps campers grow.

This camp is ideal for children ages 8–18 (depending on the week) with physical disabilities — whether that means spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, amputations, or other mobility challenges. It’s for young people who are ready to step into nature, broaden their horizons, make meaningful friendships, and experience independence in a safe, supportive community.

Why We Love It

  • Enables campers with physical disabilities to push boundaries in a supportive, adaptive outdoor setting
  • Inspires confidence and independence through the “Wampler Way” philosophy of optimism and ability
  • Builds real connection — campers sleep under the stars, gather around campfires, and form deep friendships

Best for

  • Kids ages 8–18 with physical disabilities are ready for a wilderness adventure
  • Young adventurers who want to try adaptive sports like climbing and canoeing
  • Teens (and younger children) who will benefit from a community that emphasizes self-reliance and joy

Camp Info

Ages:
8–18
Type:
Overnight
Month:
Summer
Lodging:
Tent
Setting:
Forest
Gender:
Co-Ed
Water Activities:
Water Activities, Boating, Canoeing, Paddleboarding, Swimming
Adventure:
Adventure, Challenge, Rock Climbing, Nature & Exploration, Fishing, Hiking, Tactical Skills, Survival
Technology:
Technology, STEM, Engineering
Academics:
Academics, Liberal Arts, Philosophy
Arts:
Fine Arts, Arts & Crafts, Arts, Music, Singing
Health:
Special Needs, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Disabilities, Hearing Impaired, Physical Disabilities, Spina Bifida, Visually Impaired

Contact details

Address: Deer Lake Near Soda Springs, CA
Soda Springs
USA

Reserve a Spot

Dates Days Price Apply
05.07.26 - 11.07.26 7  $500
12.07.26 - 18.07.26 7  $500
19.07.26 - 25.07.26 7  $500
19.07.26 - 25.07.26 7  $500

You won’t be charged yet. The camp will contact you to confirm all terms first.

How It Works

  • Step 1: Fill out a quick form to let the camp know you're interested. No commitment — just an inquiry.
  • Step 2: The camp team will reach out to answer questions, confirm availability, and walk you through the next steps.
  • Step 3: Work directly with the camp to finalize dates, handle payment, and take care of any details.

Got Questions?

Not sure yet?

  • Email us anytime at camp@kidvoyage.com — we’ll gladly share any details we’ve got.
  • Want to talk with the camp directly? Submit an application, and the camp team will reach out with details.

Need to Cancel? No Problem

  • Just send us a quick email, and we’ll take care of it for you.

Paying for Camp

  • All payments are handled directly with the camp after you apply. They’ll guide you through their process.

Who Do I Pay?

  • You’ll pay Camp Wamp directly. After you apply, their team will walk you through the payment steps.

Payment Confirmation

  • The camp will provide any receipts or documents you need once registration is finalized. Just ask!

Age

0-5
years
6-11
years
12-14
years
15-18
years

Accommodation and Meals

Accommodation

Campers do not stay in traditional cabins; instead, they sleep outside on cots, under the stars. This gives a genuine “sleeping under the sky” feeling. Campers should bring their own sleeping bags and bedding and be prepared for varying nighttime temperatures, as mornings and evenings may be cool. The setting is rustic but thoughtfully laid out under a canopy of tall pines along Deer Lake, offering campers an authentic wilderness experience while remaining entirely accessible.

Meals

Meals at Camp Wamp are served family-style in a dining hall. The camp’s chefs provide freshly prepared food three times a day, plus a snack before bedtime. Their menu includes fresh fruit, vegetables, homemade soups, and a variety of alternative meals to serve different needs. The camp supports several special diets, including vegan, high-fiber, soft, and pureed. Importantly, Camp Wamp is nut-aware — they avoid using nut products in their meals, and they ask that campers do not bring nuts or peanut products to camp.

Safety

Safety is deeply embedded in Camp Wamp’s design: the camp is ACA-accredited, meaning it follows high standards for staff training, emergency procedures, and camper care. Counselors are assigned carefully, and many have experience working with children with disabilities. For water activities like canoeing, trained staff supervise to ensure accessibility and a fun experience. At night, although campers sleep outside, they are still supported through dedicated supervision, and the area is well organized to balance freedom with oversight.

Health & Medicine

Camp Wamp provides on-site nursing staff during the week, who handle daily medications and any medical needs. At check-in, parents and campers review their health requirements with nurses so the staff is fully prepared. If a nurse has concerns about a camper’s health, they will reach out to parents — ensuring that medical care is both professional and responsive. Families can note specialized needs on the camp application to make sure nothing is missed.

Camp Traditions

Camp Wamp has several traditions that reinforce its spirit of courage, joy, and independence. Each night, campers gather around the campfire to sing, tell stories, and connect. During the day, survival-style challenges and nature explorations help campers practice problem-solving and resilience. The “Wampler Way” philosophy — centered on optimism, capability, and self-reliance — is woven through every activity. Even sleeping under the stars is a ritual: being in the open sky night after night builds a shared sense of wonder, adventure, and belonging.

Facilities and services

    • Lakeside access (Deer Lake) for canoeing and fishing
    • Adaptive rock-climbing wall
    • Outdoor challenge and survival activity spaces
    • Dining hall with family-style meals
    • Outdoor cot-sleeping area (“Cotlandia”)
    • Campfire gathering area
    • Accessible paths and trails through forested terrain
    • Trained counselors/one-to-one support
    • On-site nursing and medical care
    • Volunteer staff and counselors-in-training
    • Outdoor environmental classroom

Activities Program

The week at Camp Wamp is structured to balance high-adventure, community building, and rest. Each day, campers rotate through adaptive outdoor activities and nature experiences, while evenings bring communal time around the fire and personal reflection. The program encourages independence, cooperation, and fun, supporting campers to try new things in a way that honors their abilities.

    • Canoeing and paddle-boarding on the lake
    • Fishing
    • Hiking and nature exploration
    • Adaptive rock climbing
    • Survival challenges (team-based)
    • Campfire songs, stories, and skits
    • Environmental / nature studies
    • Life-skills workshops
    • Arts & crafts
    • Evening reflections or group talks
    • Outdoor games and team activities

Terms and Payments

Price includes

    • Overnight lodging (cot under the stars)
    • All meals (three per day + snack)
    • Full-access to all camp activities
    • Adaptive equipment for physical challenges
    • Medical / nursing care as needed

For an additional charge

    • Registration fee: one-time charge per camper (noted on dates/rates page) 
    • The foundation does not cover travel to and from camp — families are responsible for camper transportation

Scholarship funds are available; no camper is turned away due to inability to pay 

The camp enforces a strict no-cellphone policy — phones are only used in emergencies, to foster immersion in nature and independence


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