Pediatric Summer Camps

Registration is open for our spring 2026 camps!

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers several different pediatric summer camps. The camps will have fun activities for kids and each will have a different area of focus. We offer the following pediatric camps:

Power Play All Hands on Deck: Bimanual Summer Camp

Led by our specialty-trained occupational therapists, Power Play is a multi-week program that focuses on improving upper extremity function in children who have spastic hemiplegia or hemiparesis as a result of cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, brachial plexus injury, stroke or other diagnosis.

A physician referral/prescription is required to participate in the camp. Participants must have an insurance policy that will cover group therapy. Your child could be in either camp based on the assessment at the initial evaluation that consists of family goals and affected upper extremity ability.

Our CIMT summer program utilizes principles from a modified Constraint-induced Movement Therapy protocol, in which the unaffected arm is restrained by a removable cast and the affected arm is used for all functional activities.

Our Bimanual summer program uses a Bimanual Therapy protocol, with a focus on improving the ability to spontaneously coordinate both hands together through repetitive practice of carefully chosen, goal-oriented, two-handed activities.

Camp activities include games, art projects, outings, sensory play activities, bimanual activities and self-care. Children will be evaluated at the beginning and end of camp to measure progress and use of the affected arm.

When: Monday-Thursday, July 20-August 6, 8-10 am
Where: 355 East Erie Street, Floor 18
Criteria:
- Ages 4+
- Participants must be ambulatory and potty-trained
Register: To sign up, email pedscamps@sralab.org, including the camp name in the subject line, or call 312.238.1139.
Disclaimer: Enrollment is dependent on clinical appropriateness, insurance benefits and space availability.

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Power Play Level Up: Strategy-based Functional Skills Summer Camp

Led by our specialty-trained occupational therapists, Power Play Level Up is a multi-week program that focuses on improving independence in functional everyday activities using a cognitive strategy-based approach. Children of any diagnosis who are not completing their daily tasks independently for their age may benefit from enrollment in this camp.

Our strategy-based summer camp builds independence by teaching campers how to learn new skills—not just what to do. This program teaches you and your child cognitive strategies that prompt them to explore, problem-solve and develop their own successful strategies for everyday and play-based challenges (e.g., self-care tasks, sports and ball skills and fine- motor activities).

Campers practice the “Goal–Plan–Do–Check” routine to set a clear goal, design steps that work for them, try the plan, and reflect on results—building confidence, persistence, and flexible thinking.

Camp activities include self-care tasks such as dressing, cooking and meal prep as well as art projects and outings. Children and parents will select goals based on these functional areas. Children will be evaluated at the beginning and end of camp to measure progress in their independence to complete their desired goals.

A physician referral/prescription is required to participate in the camp. Participants must have an insurance policy that will cover group therapy.

When: Monday-Thursday, July 20-August 6, 1-4 pm
Where: 355 East Erie Street, Floor 18
Criteria:
- Ages 4+
- Participants must be ambulatory and able to follow directions
Register: To sign up, email pedscamps@sralab.org, including the camp name in the subject line, or call 312.238.1139.
Disclaimer: Enrollment is dependent on clinical appropriateness, insurance benefits and space availability.

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Power Play Tiny Tots Camp: Constraint-induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) Camp & Parent Support Group

CIMT is an evidence-based approach for infants and toddlers with hemiplegia and other related conditions. It involves constraining the less affected arm with a removable cast to encourage use of the affected arm.

Research has proven that children as early as three months of age should begin CIMT.

Led by our specialty trained occupational therapists, this program focuses on early intervention and caregiver collaboration. It’s designed to empower caregivers by educating them on how to carryover strategies within their home and routines. This unique program includes:

Customized cast
Cast wear schedule
One week intensive caregiver education course
Follow-up intervention and caregiver collaboration
Tailored home exercise program
Parents and caregivers are invited to attend a support group led by a licensed social worker that will provide communication, support and resources.

Camp activities will target training the affected arm in play and daily routines such as sensory exploration, interacting with toys, mealtimes, dressing, bath time, and more! Therapists will be one-on-one to provide direct feedback on how strategies will be used within your home.

Follow-up appointments can be conducted via telehealth or at our clinic to ensure applicability within your family routines. To best accommodate your insurance plan, please contact us if your child is currently enrolled in early intervention (El) services

Conditions may include pediatric stroke, traumatic brain injury, hemiplegia, quadriplegia, cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injury, and any health conditions that impact use of one upper extremity.

When: Monday-Friday, August 17-21, 8-10 am
Where: 355 East Erie Street, Floor 18
Criteria: Conditions may include pediatric stroke, traumatic brain injury, hemiplegia, quadriplegia, cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injury and any health conditions that impact use of one upper extremity.
Register: To sign up, email pedscamps@sralab.org, including the camp name in the subject line, or call 312.238.1139.
Disclaimer: Enrollment is dependent on clinical appropriateness, insurance benefits and space availability.

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Stride Through Summer: Pediatric Gait Summer Camp

Led by our pediatric physical therapists, Stride Through Summer is a program for children looking for a challenge. It will include high intensity exercise and activities to improve gait, higher-level mobility skills, balance, strength and endurance.

Participants will be provided with education and resources to help transition the skills they have achieved back to their community, school and home environments.

A physician referral or prescription is required to participate in the camp. Participants must have an insurance policy that will cover group therapy.
Individual evaluations lasting 60 to 90 minutes are required pre-and post-camp.

The final decision regarding camp placement will be determined by the therapy team to ensure the best for each participant.

Camp will include:

High intensity gait training through treadmill training and circuit training
Increasing endurance and strength through age appropriate activities
Occasional community outings to park and/or throughout Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Monitoring participant intensity through wearable tech and/or visual scales

Participants must be able to:

Sit safely with distant supervision
Climb up and down stairs with no more than one handrail and minimal help
Walk for 10 minutes with or without assistive device with distant supervision
Transition from the floor to standing with minimal help or an assistive device
Able to participate in a group setting independently without need of 1:1 assistance to safely navigate environment and follow adult directives
Follow two-three step command (for example, touch your knee and then pretend to talk on the phone)

Camp Options

Mini Movers

Criteria: Ages 5-9
When: Monday-Thursday, June 15-July 9, 9-11 am
Where: 355 East Erie Street, Floor 18

All Stars

Criteria: Ages 8+
When: Monday-Thursday, July 13-August 6, 5-7 pm
Where: 355 East Erie Street, Floors 23-24

Register: To sign up, email pedscamps@sralab.org, including the camp name in the subject line, or call 312.238.1139.

Disclaimer: Enrollment is dependent on clinical appropriateness, insurance benefits and space availability.

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Little Language Lab: Pediatric Speech Summer Camp

Led by a speech language pathologist, Little Language Lab is an intensive group that focuses on expanding children’s use of total communication, including spoken words and phrases, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), signs, and gestures.

Improving language skills is facilitated through verbal modeling of new language and aided language stimulation during book reading and collaborative play.

Children will practice communication skills to make comments, request help, and engage with peers.

When: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (9 total sessions), June 8-25, 9:15-10:45 am (Includes a snack break)
Where: 355 East Erie Street, Floor 18
Register: To sign up, email pedscamps@sralab.org, including the camp name in the subject line, or call 312.238.1139.
Disclaimer: Enrollment is dependent on clinical appropriateness, insurance benefits and space availability.

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School-aged Conversation Club: Pediatric Speech Summer Camp

Led by a speech language pathologist, School-Aged Conversation Club is an intensive therapy group that focuses on improving receptive, expressive, and social language skills in the context of peer and group interactions.

Improving language skills is facilitated through shared book reading and video watching and collaborative play.

Children will practice expressive, receptive, and social language skills to navigate group activities, follow directions, initiate conversation with peers, and repair communication breakdowns.

When: Tuesday, Wedsday and Thursday (9 total sessions), July 7-23, 9:15-10:45 am (Includes a snack break)
Where: 355 East Erie Street, Floor 18
Register: To sign up, email pedscamps@sralab.org, including the camp name in the subject line, or call 312.238.1139.
Disclaimer: Enrollment is dependent on clinical appropriateness, insurance benefits and space availability.

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Young Adult Transition Program: Pediatric & Adolescent Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation professionals at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab are committed to empowering adolescents to become more independent by preparing them for a smooth and successful transition into adulthood.

About the Program

Led by a licensed social worker and speech-language pathologist, the Transition Program provides skill-building opportunities for adolescents. Caregiver education and involvement are key components of the program.

The group meets twice weekly for 90-minute sessions on Mondays and Thursdays (meeting times confirmed at the time of evaluation).

Program Schedule & Classes

Orientation
June 8 & 11
Intro to transition

Community Transportation
June 15 & 18

Trip planning
Navigating local streets

Money Management
June 22, 25 & 29; July 2

Identifying money
Balancing a basic budget

Cooking
July 6, 9, 13 & 16

Meal planning
Simple meal preparation

Medical Information and Care
July 20, 23, 27 & 30

Increasing awareness of medical history and management
Asking questions at medical appointments

Education and Employment
August 3, 6, 10 & 13

Learning about the IEP process
Identifying potential career interest areas
Learning how to apply for and interview for a job

How to Get Involved

Request a prescription for a speech therapy evaluation and treatment from your physician. You will also need to contact the pediatric team to request a Transition Group speech evaluation.

The Young Adult Transition Group is held in person and includes two group sessions per week.

Participant Requirements

Criteria:
- Ages 13-21
- Independent with toileting, or accompanied by a caregiver if needed
Register: To sign up, email pedscamps@sralab.org with the camp name in the subject line, or call 312.238.1139.
Disclaimer: Enrollment is dependent on clinical appropriateness, insurance benefits, and space availability.

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Pediatric Summer Camps