For mom Elizabeth Finney, the return of Days of Summer Camp every year comes as nothing short of a relief to her family. Since 2021, her son Matthew, alongside his siblings Jessica and Grayson, have attended the yearly summer camp hosted by the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware (DSADE), which provides a traditional camp experience to children with Down syndrome and their siblings.
“This camp has been a blessing for our entire family,” said Finney. “Matthew is able to experience a program prepared to meet his specific needs and quirks, while Jessica and Grayson have the opportunity to be part of the larger Down syndrome community to observe and learn as they watch their peers relate to their own siblings.”
In 2012, DSADE Executive Director Lauren Camp Gates noticed a gap in what’s available to individuals with Down syndrome: there was no summer camp in the state that provided this community the nostalgic camp experience, while also serving their specific needs. From that idea, Days of Summer Camp was born, starting with a small group of 20 children.
Today, Days of Summer Camp takes place in all three Delaware counties, serving almost 90 campers and 81 counselors in 2025. Crucially, this camp also provides parents and guardians a week where all their children can go to one place, free of charge thanks to the donors and volunteers who support the camp. They use this time to catch up, take care of themselves, and connect with other parents sending their children to camp too.
Plenty of arts and crafts, water games, performances, soccer workshops, and more make the days at camp fly by. These activities push individuals with Down syndrome outside of their comfort zones, connect siblings through shared experiences, and form strong bonds between the children and their young adult counselors, who are paired with campers in a nearly one-to-one ratio.
“I’ve been volunteering for the last five years now, and I do it because it’s super fulfilling,” said volunteer Aidan Calvey. “You come back pretty tired, but it’s really fulfilling and it really makes you feel good to see the smiles on the kids’ faces and just really making their day.”
Days of Summer Camp will take place in Sussex County from June 22-26 at the DSADE Milton Office, in Kent County from July 13-17 at David E. Robinson Elementary, and in New Castle County from July 27-31 at North Star Elementary. Camp runs from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Volunteers are urgently needed for counselors, ages 13+, who spend the full week at camp and adult volunteers who can commit as little as a day. Applications remain open on the summer camp website. Those interested in getting involved, or supporting the cause with a donation or sponsorship, can reach out to camps@dsadelaware.org with questions. Consider donating to our Amazon wishlist to help fill our needs for summer camp.
For interview requests with DSADE staff, volunteers, or families, or to coordinate media coverage of Days of Summer Camp, please contact tara@dsadelaware.org.
The Down Syndrome Association of Delaware supports families, promotes inclusion, and encourages lifelong opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome. Learn more at dsadelaware.org or on Facebook or Instagram @dsadelaware.
