Cupertino, CA
All of our activities are adaptable allowing each camper to participate as much as possible. This looks like: lifts and swim tests for the pool, enough staff to provide support for each camper during activities, wheelchair accessible trails, safe and adaptive archery, individual and creative adaptations for each activity, breaks, time away from groups, sensory materials, and material adaptations for sensory input.
Explore on the camp’s website ↗"Eating together in the main lodge, campfire circles, swimming, hiking, and sports are just a few examples of a typical day at Camp Via West. For Adam, these activities are an opportunity to be independent, to be 'one of the guys,' and to be included. This feeling of belonging is really the greatest gift Camp Via West offers." — Cheryl S.
Camp Via West…it's not just about filling the summer with fun activities. It's a place of true belonging, where campers can share their authentic selves and make lasting connections with others in a community that embraces them. Campers can try new things in a supportive environment. Every experience is a chance to grow intellectually, emotionally, and socially while building confidence and trust in themselves and others.
Camp Via West provides exceptional programming and a wide variety of activities on a stunning 13.5-acre campus in the Cupertino foothills, located less than 5 miles off highway 280.
Camp Via West is a private, independent non-profit that has been serving the Bay Area and beyond since 1945. Camp Via West's beautiful 13.5-acre campus nestled in the Redwoods of the Cupertino foothills offers a wide variety of respite and inclusion camps for children and adults to learn new skills, develop meaningful relationships, build confidence, and more… all while enjoying the great outdoors!
Campers swim in one of 2 pools, enjoy athletic activities on the new sports field, do arts and crafts like painting, paper crafts, and making kiln-fired ceramics, dance and yoga, cooperative games, culinary arts, hiking on the accessible nature trail, outdoor education, performing arts, talent show, safe archery, campfire songs and s'mores, and special guests.
Grace Leung's son enjoys attending Camp Via West and building independence skills, giving her a meaningful personal connection to the camp's mission.
Counselors and kitchen staff are able to support a variety of dietary needs including: dietary restrictions and allergies, support with safe eating and swallowing, providing soft, pureed or thickened food and drinks, G-tube feedings, help with hunger cues and not eating non-food items. Camp Via West is a nut free campus.
Read more on the camp’s website ↗Medications are stored in a locked room per ACA standards and dispensed by RNs and supervised interns throughout the day. Emergency medications (Epi-pens and rescue inhalers) are held by the counselor assigned to the camper and remain with the camper at all times. Controlled seizure medications are in an easy-access Go-Bag with nursing access in the locked med room.
Read more on the camp’s website ↗The nursing team can support campers with insulin dependent diabetes, receiving nebulized breathing treatments, who have seizures and a signed seizure action plan, who eat, drink, or take medications by G-tube, and who use straight catheters. The health center is not currently equipped to care for IVs, central lines, or tracheostomies.
Read more on the camp’s website ↗Camp Via West's Health Center is staffed by 1-2 Registered Nurses 24 hours a day, every day that camp is in session. The Health Center is equipped for first aid and treatment of common camp injuries and illnesses, as well as basic emergency care (while waiting for an ambulance). Camp is a 15 minute drive from the nearest hospital. Nurse Interns are available to support campers and counselors with activities of daily living, including full motor and mobility support and using Hoyer lifts.
Read more on the camp’s website ↗