Exceptional Needs Network

Love hearing about the opportunities available to special needs families. Also appreciate staff helping to crowdsource solutions for families.

ENN is a one of a kind organization that truly puts the happiness of Specials in the forefront of every decision and are continuously thoughtful and mindful of the challenges of their clients. My son has attended camps for over a decade. It is always his favorite vacation. Thank you ENN!!

Bottom-up and Top notch. They've been a literally life saver and baston of sanity.

My daughter has been attending ENN camp for over 10 years and loved it. Everyone knows her name and greets her warmly on return.
The meet her dietary needs and she loves the food despite her restrictions.
I never worry about her when she's at camp with her 1:1 counselor

We don’t know what we would do without Exceptional Needs Network (ENN). This subset of The Taylor Family Foundation has been helping families like ours by giving children and young adults of all Special Needs a sense of belonging and rewarding way of life. It’s also a way for the families to have a small bit of respite and strengthen their relationships.
We look forward each year for our child to attend this amazing sleepover camp in the rolling hills of Livermore, CA

ENN has been an extremely helpful resource for my family. My eldest child has high functioning autism and when he was younger, we had a difficult time getting answers to our questions. ENN helped us find a great equestrian trainer, therapists and the ability to meet other families going through the same challenges as we were. My son also attended camp and had the best time of his life while my husband and I were given a break for a few days. Thank you, ENN, for everything you do for the families like ours!

The Exceptional Needs network camp program is outstanding! My son has attended the program for over 10 years, and each year the staff has been excellent. The schedule of activities is rich and varied and the campers are never bored. All of the staff have been well-trained, supportive and nurturing. We have the higest regard for all of the staff and the program has been wonderful for our son and his friends!

Extremely useful resource for the special needs community in the region.

My three boys went to this camp for their first time this year. I had only imagined that I could let them go for three nights without a phone call or an emergency. This camp not only turned this into a reality, but it was the greatest experience all three of my boys (they all have ASD) have had. The counselors were very supported by the staff and the activities that the boys were exposed to were appropriate and constant. The boys had many stories to tell on the way home and they were just so happy that they had gone. We are so lucky to have a camp that is perfect for them and we feel so fortunate for this asset. Thanks to ENN!

My son has been attending ENN camp since 2017. This camp provides an outstanding experience for campers with special needs. They are kind, caring, inclusive, and very thorough in making sure they understand your camper's needs and requirements. Every camper gets individual attention and ENN does an unparalleled job making sure campers have FUN! My son looks forward to camp every year.

My son has been able to attend camp every year since 2013, this is an amazing organization with awesome people running the camps ! Every year at drop off I feel safe leaving him there, everyone involved seems to generally care about the campers.

They put so much thought into all the activities that are lined up while campers are there: everything from petting zoo, rock climbing, zip lining, horseback riding, tons of arts & crafts, dances, movie nights, talent shows - the list goes on and on !

I'm sad that this will be his last year (2022) because he has aged out but also feel super privileged that he was included for all these years, kudos to ENN :)

This was my son Braylons 2nd time attending this amazing camp. Every camper is paired with a wonderful 1:1 aide that builds amazing memories with your child. This camp not only gives families a break from being 24 hour caregivers but gives these amazing kids activities to do that aren’t always accessible to them. When I first told my son that he would be going back to camp his smile lit up the room and all he could talk about was he was going back to camp. Bless this amazing camp and all they provide to make these kids laugh and smile! We are so grateful to this wonderful foundation and opportunity that they provide our community.

My son just attended this camp for the first time and had an amazing experience! The camp facility is beautiful, the staff were extremely competent and professional, and the days were jam packed with fun!! This was my son's first time away from home without family and he can't wait to go back.

the best parent support group and individual advocacy organization for special needs children and their families in the Tri Valley area, and maybe beyond

ENN opens doors for special needs children that are sadly usually closed. Whether it is horse therapy, safe and fun summer camps, or a warm community for parents who need it the most, ENN is truly exceptional!!

ENN has been a wonderful resource for the children with special needs & their families.
Their camps are beyond amazing with dedicated staff & volunteers making the experience joyful and beautiful!!

This is perhaps the greatest nonprofit organization I have ever known. ENN organizes and runs a special needs camp which my son was able to attend for a few years. It was always the highlight of his year where he could be himself and be accepted for it. ENN and their volunteers work hard and put their heart into providing this wonderful camp for exceptional individuals. ENN also provides parent workshops and has a great network to broadcast needs and requests from individuals associated with their nonprofit. I can't say enough great things about this organization and the people who make it work.

Great people organizing for a very well managed and very inclusive camp. My son looks forward to going to ENN's camp every year!

Amazing with clients and keeping us all up to date.

Very organized and caring, put in a lot of efforts to make activities fun and cater to special need populations. Thank you.

They do good work for those in need. Their fundraising, outreach, and communications are all critical.

Excellent staff and volunteers who care about the children and their needs. I feel real comfortable and secure when I leave my two boys in their care.

ENN is an amazing charitable group in our community! We were so lucky to learn about ENN and its summer sponsored camp when my daughter was young and has now attended the annual camp at Camp Arroyo for over 10 years! Camp is staffed with absolutely amazing team members, mentors, volunteers and just all around loving and caring folks. My daughter only cries when she has to come home! Thank you ENN for all that you do for our special needs community!!

ENN is an amazing non~ profit! My daughter has attended camp for many years. She looks forward to camp every year that she has attended. As a parent I feel so comfortable dropping her off and such amazing people working at camp. Also all the people “behind” the scenes are wonderful!!

My son counts down the days to camp! It is a place where he feels himself and safe to try things he would not typically do in the big world!….We love ENN!

I started helping with Camp ENN maybe 2 or 3 years ago, and it’s been such a fulfilling experience. I love serving individuals with exceptional needs and love meeting new people along the way. Leadership at camp have the best people running it, they are so selfless and kind! This is the greatest nonprofit I’ve ever come across and I’m so blessed to be part of it!!!

I am a Paraeducator in PUSD and my students are so greatly served by the amazing staff at ENN.
This residential camp is so vital to our community and the campers they serve.
I see these families come in with the weight of the world on their shoulders and after the most wonderful 3 days they pick up their children and everyone is happy and hugging and some cry happy tears.
ENN gives these amazing families the best gift of time and peace for parents and campers.
I am so blessed to call ENN home.

I have been with ENN for 15 years and I have loved every minute of it! I get such joy in helping families get the respite they so need and deserve!

This is a group that is supportive and truly about helping families! They run an amazing summer camp for kids and they have a wealth of advice and suggestions from members of the group. Very thankful for ENN

I think five star is not enough to rate this organization. I heard a lot of great feedback from parents with Special needs who had their kids be part of their camps... Now that my own child had been part of their camp, I can attest how great ENN is! My daughter is under the spectrum, her deficit is communication and transition. SO, if you are a parent you will freak out when your child has to camp and sleep there for 3 nights! Eversince she was born she never slept in a place without her parents.... so imagine the anxieties we had. Their staff was AWESOME from the walk thru, communication to parents, and basically was there every step of the way to make the camp successful for the child. Rayna Blakley and Ashley Sturm did above and beyond by pairing my daughter with a counselor that she's been with during Summer. Being a working parents, we only had time to talk to them after work and Rayna set some time at night to talk.... that is dedication!!!!
Kirsten Sprott who's been responsible for communication ALWAYS on top of every single emails for parents and she even helped me network with other parents...
Overall, most of the non profit org I've known are good, but ENN is exceptional!!!! they are very organized, customer oriented staff, they have the dedication to help and want to really help. So if you ever will work with ENN, you are in good hands!!!! no doubt

We LOVE ENN and the resources they provide our special needs family. We were so thankful for the camp our son was able to go to this summer. The staff and organizers go above and beyond!

ENN provides great support to parents who have kids with special needs.
Parents can ask questions, exchange information and receive notification for special events.. etc.
Parents and our kids both benefit from those important and valuable information from ENN!

Not only does ENN provide an exceptional camp experience for children with developmental dis abilities, it provides a fantastic camp where teens can volunteer and learn much about the capabilities and joy of differently abled children. Both of my children have volunteered for multiple sessions as activity aides and one is now coming back as adult staff. What started as a volunteer hours commitment is now a summertime must do event. We believe that summer camp can be a transformative experience for all children and that’s exactly what Camp ENN does!❤️

My son went to ENN camp this past summer and had the best time ever. Not only did it help him socially, it also helped him with his skills of independence. We were so grateful for this experience.

For many years, my son who has autism has attended ENN’s Camp Arroyo. The staff there is so kind, loving and supportive. They do a wonderful job of making every camper feel like family. Camp is always fun and relaxing. My son enjoys going to camp every year. We enjoy seeing everyone and getting some time for ourselves. ENN is the best!!! Thank you for all you do.

Amazing organization.
Wonderful people
Excellent Camps for Special Needs Kids

Great network and resource for parents of kids with special needs.

This is the best special needs camp ever! They go out of their way to make the experience good for the kids, and can handle a wide variety of emotional/behavioral/medical issues. The volunteers work year round to make camp a special experience for these children who don’t always have many other options. And they care about the family as well—it’s a very holistic group—so giving overwhelmed families a break is also an important function they provide.

Amazing organization that has helped our son explore beyond his years. A well organized camp that has changed our family for the better.

I have volunteered for this organization and never have I seen a group of people that are as selfless as this group. EVERYONE is willing to chip in and give their all and the best part about being around these people is how much they enjoy being with these adult/kids and are having fun doing whatever is they are doing. God bless them, every one of them!

I have been involved in this organization for over 10 years and look forward to their summer and fall camp each year. I've really enjoyed the people I've met through ENN and watching the campers grow up before your eyes!

This is a great nonprofit charity. ENN helps families with special needs children by giving the children a chance to participate in a great camp experience. There are a variety of activities to enjoy, such as magic show, petting zoo, art & crafts, horseback riding, swimming and making friends and much more. While the children are at camp it gives the parents a break to do something they want or nothing at all. I love seeing all the children having a good time at camp.

My daughter had an amazing time at camp. She can’t wait to go again!

This is a great camp that allows for children with special needs to experience the fun that come with an overnight camp as well as provide respite to the family

An exceptional and brilliant charity that helps kids and parents celebrate exceptional needs.

This amazing group of people provide special need campers a fun and safe place to be themselves.
The parents come with smiles larger than life knowing their kids are in for a super good time.

My daughter loves ENN’s summer camp. She waits all year to go, and as soon as she’s home again, she wants to go back! This is her favorite special needs camp.

We have been campers through ENN for 3 years now! It has been the most fulfilling summer camp
Experience that our daughter had.

People in this network are the kindest people on earth. They understand the need for quality of life. My son attends the Fall overnight camp. This camp gives the rest of the family members an opportunity to live a "normal" family life even if it's only for the weekend. Thank you, ENN!

one of the best nonprofits for my special need son.

Great charity for kids with special needs. Provides camps where they can just play and be kids...and parents get a much needed break!

The most amazing camp for special needs kids. I don't know what we would do without it.

Our son had an amazing experience last year in the summer, and can't wait for this year's fall camp. He had nothing bad to say about it, which is saying a lot! We're so happy he gets to have a real camp experience like other typical children.

Just amazing great work. Despite the difficulties with organizing camps of such magnitude they pull it through each and every year. We cannot benefit from these anymore but when we did it was a great experience for our daughter who remembers these till today!

Amazing organization. I would highly recommend joining it as a parent of special needs

ENN runs a FABULOUS sleep-away camp for the intellectually disabled. My son is severely autistic and also has cerebral palsy. He has a cognitive age of about three years and has limited mobility. At Camp Arroyo, he was able to do things like ride a horse and a zipline(!), participate in dances, and swim. They have a nurse on staff and one-on-one counselors, so even those who are medically fragile can attend. It's the most amazing thing I've ever seen.

I love ENN, it keeps us informed, gives our family opportunities for events, and keeps us updated, it also helps so many of us in our community of special needs to keep in touch.


Thank you so much ENN, you are a blessing.
Hope

ENN is by far the best source of information for parents of developmentally-disabled children (and adults) throughout the East Bay, and an ultra-efficient tool for connecting these parents with the appropriate providers of the myriad services their children might need. ENN is a warm and welcoming community of genuine care and respect.

ENN fills a gap in our area by providing support and opportunities, including camp, for our special needs children! We were with them for 15 years, until my son aged out. We miss them terribly.

I started volunteering in high school to fulfill community service hours. After my first time going to camp, I fell in love. For several years, I went back every fall to volunteer and work as a counselor. It's a truly amazing experience that allowed me to give back as well as learn and grow. The only reason I stopped going was because I am now an out of state college student.

I have been honored to be part of this wonderful organization over the last 15 years. As a counselor at ENN' s Camp Arroyo, I've enjoyed the privilege of seeing children growing from their first camp experience to mastering the camp experience. The staff is dedicated to caring for needs of each camper and giving them a memorable time. ENN is a well organized group our valley is fortunate to have serving families and children.

ENN is about as magical as you can get this north of actual Disneyland. I've been coming to camp since 2009 - first as an activity aide, then as a 1:1 counselor. Laura and the team do an amazing job of making camp the best experience for each individual. Little things like wheelchair accommodations for horseback riding, ooey goey time for sensory breaks and play, and GF/CF s'mores make a world of difference to our campers. There are no words to accurately portray camp; genuine love, laughter, and happiness exudes from each camper and counselor all session long. From the first summer I spent at camp, I knew it was a special place. But I never imagined how much it would shape who I am today, and I don't know what I'd do without the community that ENN has created for campers, counselors, and families alike.

Life changing experience for my son!!!!! Forever grateful for this agency.

7 years ago, when I was 19, a friend told me about ENN. I was looking for something to help fill up my summer off from college and maybe make a little extra cash. I figured it'd be a one time thing. Little did I know I would fall in love with this organization, the people who run it, the counselors that live for it, and the campers who make it all worth it. There is an indescribable bond with the individuals involved with ENN. We are one big, happy, loving family. We are all there for the same reason: to see the campers' face light up when they get to the top of the rock wall, or ride a horse for the first time, or perform at the talent show in front of an eager audience. I can't count how many times I've teared up because of the beautiful individuals associated with this organization. The amount of love I've given and received through ENN is priceless. I'm so happy ENN became a part of my life and always will be.

ENN is an amazing non profit that benefits SO many! The smiles and the happiness that reflect from the campers' & volunteers faces is infectious. One cannot be at ENN without having a wonderful feeling come over them - it's a place where all the kids are the same, no one is different. Years ago, our eldest daughter began as an activity aide at ENN, working various stations, years later, she is now a counselor and takes personal time off of her full time job to return to camp. She has also got both of her brothers and numerous friends through the years to volunteer. So now, all three of our kids work at ENN, we actually plan family vacations around camp - that's how important it is to our 23, 20 & 17 year old!! ENN is not only a memorable experience for the campers, but for the volunteers and workers as well. ENN holds a special place in our hearts ❤️❤️.

ENN is Passionate about serving families with special needs children by providing a unique camping experience for the children and a break in caregiving for the family.

I traveled from NJ to have the chance to work at ENN's summer respite camp in 2013. It was an amazing experience for the campers to be themselves while having new experiences in a safe environment. I also personally found it to be an amazing experience and was equally disappointed for camp to end! It was a pleasure to see the joy on all of the campers faces while they got to go swimming and horseback riding, play in foam pits and bounce castles, sit around camp fires while eating smores among other things. ENN really offers something to everyone regardless of ability. All children should be as lucky to attend ENN's camp!

My 21 year old daughter has been a client of ENN/Camp Arroyo since she was 8 years old. Since the beginning she has always looked forward to her yearly weekend at camp. We have always had the BEST experiences with ENN and will be sad to leave when my daughter turns 22 as there is no other beautiful camp quite like it.
We would like to thank all the volunteers and staff for their MANY hours of love and dedication that they have shown over last two decades caring for all our special kids.

“I really, really don’t want to do this.”

I was fifteen years old in early August, 2007. My parents were upfront in our Toyota Highlander, I was sitting in the back. We were driving past Sycamore Grove Park in beautiful Livermore California, on our way to drop me off at Camp Arroyo, home of the Exceptional Needs Network(ENN). The day couldn’t have been anymore tranquil, yet I was having a full-fledged panic attack.

“I don’t want to hear another negative word out of your mouth,” my Dad said, without even turning his neck. His word is bond, so I decided to shut up and not test it any further. That doesn’t mean I was happy about my current situation.
My parents saw an ad in the paper about volunteer work for high school students at a camp for kids/young adults with special needs. Since I wasn’t doing anything that summer but play basketball during the day, and video games at night, they figured it would be good for me.
“This is an opportunity for you to grow and learn,” my Mom said. “Besides, knowing you, you will probably fall in love with it.”
Growth? Learning? Love? I’m an unemployed kid going into his sophomore year, I’m pretty confident I have the entire world figured out. Some dumb camp that is taking up a week of my precious summer isn’t going to change anything.

We drove up the cool, shaded hill that turns into the camp grounds; my heart was beating like a boxer playing with a speed bag. We parked in the lot, my parents started to get out of the car when I told them I have it from here, they didn’t need to walk me in.
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to run away,” my Dad joked. I told them I’m sure, and that I’ll see them tonight. It wasn’t like it was going to be a long time until I saw them again. Camp is a week long; staff, counselors, and campers stay on the grounds the entire time. Since I was just a volunteer, I was allowed to go home at night. At the time the less I had to be there, the better.

I watched my parents drive away as I slowly made my way towards the dining hall. If I was going to make a break for it now was my chance. Alas, with only ten bucks to my name I realized I wasn’t going to make it far. I succumbed to fate, and head towards the sounds of cheerful voices; Andy Dufresne I was not.

I approached a table where counselors and other volunteers were checking in. I gave my name and was rewarded with a T-shirt with the ENN logo. I walked out on the extended patio of the dining hall and looked around. Below me was a patch of grass with a bounce house. Under that was a pool boarded by cool grass, encompassed by an overhang for shade. I turned around and went to check out the dining hall. Free food and drink was abundant, as were people enjoying the refreshments. I ran through the checklist in my head: free clothes, bounce house, pool, free food. This might not be as bad as I thought.

A woman named Laura approached me and struck a conversation. We had met one time before, in an interview for the volunteer position. I thought it was messed up that I had to interview for something I didn’t even want. Laura is the camp coordinator, the captain, our benevolent leader. Even though there are many people that pull the strings to make camp dance; she is the one spinning on the ballroom floor. She has a million things to do at all times, but somehow has an uncanny ability to make you feel at ease. After a two minute conversation my nerves were gone.

We had a large meeting with everyone involved. The rules, guidelines, and individual roles were discussed. As a volunteer it was not my responsibility to look after a camper, that was reserved for the counselors. My job was to set up activities, bring food out, clean up, interact with the campers, etc. I realized quickly it was grunt work. The volunteers are the grease that keeps the cog moving. Since a camper’s well being was not in my hands, it was a position I was glad to play.

The campers began to arrive in the midafternoon. Some wore the expression I did when I rode into camp; scared they had to say goodbye to their parents and their safe little world. Others looked like college freshmen moving into their first dorm, barely saying, “see ya later” before bounding towards an activity looking to cut loose. By this time I had already connected with a few of the other volunteers and counselors. Based on how extroverted some of the campers were, I decided it was time to expand my social circle.

I went down to the lawn area where many campers and counselors had gathered. I started playing catch with a camper. Then soccer. Then tag. The more they smiled, the more I did. All my previous inclinations were out the window, just like that I was hooked. I noticed several campers in the bounce house, so I stormed that sucker like it was Normandy. We jumped and laughed for who knows how long, I might still be in there if I hadn’t heard a counselor say it’s almost dinner time. I almost forgot I had other responsibilities, this is a common theme at ENN.

I raced to the dining hall just in time to help set up dinner; the other volunteers weren’t sure why I was sweating so much. Halfway through dinner Laura tapped me on the shoulder. She explained that a group of pirates were coming and that they needed someone to kidnap. I told her that I appreciated her thinking of me to be the human sacrifice, and that I would do it.

After dessert five pirates barged into the dining hall. They told their audience they were looking for someone who stole their treasure. I stood up and told them they were ugly, they promptly ran over and tied me up with rope. My reservations of camp had now turned into performance art. They announced to the rest of camp that they were taking me outside, and that everyone should follow. I was marched to the lawn with what was hopefully a fake sword held behind my back. The pirates had a couple fake cannons already set up, along with a smorgasbord of other pirate paraphernalia. Pirate hats and blow up swords were passed around, they even were nice enough to let me loose so I could play with the campers.

After the pirates set sail it was time to wind down, the camp head back to the dining hall for popcorn and a movie. Before I knew it, it was time for bed, and time for me to head home for the night.

As my mom pulled up to take me home Laura asked if I was coming back the next day. I promised her I would. This is a promise I have not broken for the past nine years. I became a counselor when I turned eighteen, and I’ve made it to 27 straight camps, I even spend the night now. Going into my first time at ENN I was counting down the days until it was over, now I count the days until the next camp. When June approaches I angst to mark out the next two months on my calendar, in a false hope that it would somehow speed up the ticking clock. A positive reformation of a hunch my parents had almost a decade ago. If you know of a place that you think is better than the Exceptional Needs Network at Camp Arroyo, point it out, because I’m not going to believe you until I see it.

“How was it?” my Mom asked as I got in the car.
“It was pretty good,” I said, trying to conceal my smile, at the time I couldn’t let her win. However, now I acknowledge that my parents forcing me to do camp was the best thing they ever did for me. How is that for Growth, Learning, and Love?

A-Team

An absolutely fantastic summer camp program for disabled kids. Really truly well-done.

I worked for ENN from ages 12-22 and loved every moment of it. The children and young adults served give you such a great understanding on life and remind you that everything is going to be ok. I'm so blessed to have been involved for so long.

I had heard about ENN about 6 years ago, when my daughter was 9 years old. She is moderate functiong on the spectrum. After all the positive comments, I was still weary about sending her anywhere overnight. I took the leap the next year, and it was the best experience she'd had. The activities that were offered there were great, especially the zip line. She wanted to continue going on it. All the counselors she's had over the years have been wonderful! They met all my expectations and then some, by being attentive, friendly, caring and always engaging her in conversation. Camp Arroyo is a beautiful and fun place and my daughter always looks forward to going. Thank you ENN for all you do for our kids!

We moved to the Bay area in 2011 and I stumbled on ENN and the resource they offer to children with special needs. We have a 14 year old son who has autism. We learned about Camp Arroyo, which is a camp geared for kids with special needs. My son loves going here every summer. They have tons of activities such as zip lining, horseback riding, swimming, arts and crafts, etc. We look forward to this every single year and we cannot thank ENN for this wonderful service. We are blessed to be a part of ENN.

My son has been going to Camp Arroyo through ENN for several years and he loves it! The staff at ENN are the absolute best and they make sure each and every camper feels special and important. I can't say enough wonderful things about ENN - they have made my son's camping experience every year spectacular!

Getting in contact with ENN has changed our lives, starting with Camp Arroyo. When you have a child with special needs, certain things just never even cross your mind. At the top of that list is summer camp- meaning 4 days away from your child, day and night, entrusting a group of people you've never met to care for every one of his needs. I'm smiling even thinking of it now. It was so far out of our realm of thinking that even after we signed him up we debated whether or not to go through with it. Then we found out that he would have not just someone by his side day and night, but the same person the entire time. Someone who read through the 4 pages of questions and comments we filled out who understood all of his needs, moods and behaviors. As it turned out, the camp felt the person he was originally assigned to wasn't the right fit and re-assigned him immediately to a better fit. She called us to let us know he was having fun so we were completely at ease. When we dropped him off we saw a wide spectrum of disabilities and volunteers willing and ABLE to care for these special kiddos. We cried tears of joy when we left there because we knew it was an important step toward our son's recovery and we knew he'd be well taken care of. Since camp, we have received a number of e-mails to connect parents of special kids with the resources they need, along with other awesome activities and events for our children to do.. It has been a true blessing. These folks are doing an amazing thing and they're doing it VERY well.

5/5 is not enough.
I'm finishing my 5th year working with ENN. Two as an activity aid and then 3 as a counselor. I count down the days between camps, and wait to get the emails to be up at camp. I take work off and do everything in my power to be there. This camp, these kids give a whole new meaning to my life. They are my motivation to get where I'm moving. I would do anything for this camp!

ENN's provision of Camp Arroyo allowed my son to have experiences that would have been denied to him anywhere else. Just one example is that no other facility would have allowed a profoundly physically and mentally disabled person to ride a zip line! They have medical professionals on staff to oversee any daily care that is necessary. Every attendee is treated with dignity and respect. The staff and counselors are uniformly friendly and caring. And I have to give a particularly special shout out to Laura Peters, who runs the camp with incredible organization and smoothness. There's never a bump in the road with her at the helm!

Five stars is just not enough, I don't think a thousand stars is even enough. This organization and camp changes lives, brings joy, exudes love, and gives so many children something to look forward to every Summer and Fall. My son has attended the camp for 10 years now and cry's when he has to leave. Thank you ENN for the joy you bring to our family and especially our son.

It's not every day that you find a non profit organization with such a strong following that parents literally line up in the wee hours of the morning to ensure their child has a space at camp. ENN has become 'the' go-to camp for individuals with special needs in the East Bay area of San Francisco. Their free camping experience, which provides dedicated parents with needed weekend respite, has developed into a club of campers, alumni, staff, volunteers and parents who could not imagine life without this organization. Low overhead, direct donor to program funding and the chance to experience summer camp as it should be (regardless of your disability or situation) is what sets them apart. They deserve your strong support.

ENN is a very positive and productive organization. Their camps have been truly wonderful and are in great demand. As a client I have new had a better experience, and being local I feel part of the family. I just wish they served an older population as well as their own target group.

I have worked and volunteered with ENN for over 11 years at camp Arroyo and I love it more than anything! It is so great to be able to give hard working parents a break! Many of our staff are special education teachers and aids and we are able to let the parents take a vacation without worrying and let their kids have camp fun they may not be able to fully experience at a typical camp. Our kids are cared for on a 1:1 ratio but we all become friends and everyone will know your name by the end of the session, and I have made many friendships that extend beyond camp. I can't wait to continue to work with my exceptional family :)

My son is non-verbal and has a host of medical & developmental special needs. That doesn't stop him from being a kid and wanting the experiences that kids enjoy as part of childhood. ENN gives him that joy, the chance to just be a kid and experience away camp, a place he can be comfortable just being himself: a kid. Thank you ENN for making this possible for him.

My daughter (who has special needs) and I had to move, yet bills were piling up and we had no where to turn. Thanks to the Exceptional Needs Network, we received assistance to move and start a new life together. Couldn't have done it without the generosity and kindness of those at ENN!!

My daughter Jenna has attended Camp Arroyo twice and has met so many friends just like her! It was such a warm and giving environment! The counselors are top notch and many are special needs teacher and aids, so to take time out of their summer to help these kids have a great time is so wonderful! It also provides much needed respite to families of special needs kids while we have the peace of mind to know they are in a safe and caring place. Go Camp Arroyo!

ENN is a wonderful organization that runs summer camp for kids with special needs. I have 2 children that have attended the camp. Many parents such as myself, have special needs children that cannot attend a typical summer camp. They require additional services that are not served . During the summer camp my kids were provided with 1:1 aid to help them participate in typical summer camp activities that they otherwise would not have been able to do. The kids get to swim, ride horses, climb rockwalls, use ziplines, participate in talent shows, roast marshmallows, sing by the campfire, decorate their cabins, garden, do night hikes and many other things.
The camp not only gives the children a wonderful summer camp experience it also provides parents with respite from the day to day activities of nurturing a special needs child. ENN has a wonderful set of voluteers and camp counselors. They provide a wonderful opportunity for kids to be kids and experience camp life and activities!!!

I just pick my special needs daughter up from the fall session of ENN Camp Arroyo. She LOVED it!
She was able to succeed in climbing the rockwall and zip line. She made friends with everyone and greeted everyone as she left. Everyone knew her name. It is a place where she can build her confidence and feel completely accepted by her peers. They accommodated her dietary needs and nurses volunteer their time to make sure she takes her medications on time. This was our 3rd year and we will return.