The life of a kid is ruled by routine. Habits and schedules are how parents make sure everything gets done in a child’s life. During summer and spring breaks, these routines are out the window. However, sending kids to camp combines structure and fun to allow kids to continue developing, even on breaks.

It may sound callous, but it’s also important for parents to take a break and reenergize for the sake of the family, especially in special needs families. Michelle Finney’s special needs son attends Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock.

“Camp Aldersgate is the best thing that ever happened to our family,” Finney said. “Our son enjoys it, but our family depends on it. The respite Aldersgate provides is much needed and gives all of us a reset that we need to go forward.”

Camp Aldersgate is a camp geared toward special needs children. Trained volunteers sleep in the cabins with campers and are ready to assist with any medical needs that arise. An onsite medical building houses on-call doctors and nurses who are ready to provide care day or night.

(See more in Little Rock Family's Ultimate Guide to Summer Camps & Classes)

There are many benefits to camp life for kids. They develop physically, psychologically and socially; building new relationships and learning how to fit into a social network.

Collin Sparks is the executive director of Kamp Ministries at Kanakuk Ministries. Kanakuk runs several faith-based summer camps in Branson, Missouri.

“They come to camp because it’s fun,” Sparks said. “They don’t even need to know about all of these byproducts. That’s what’s so great about it. Kids leave and they say, ‘I didn’t miss my phone and I didn’t miss sitting and playing video games, because this is fun!’”

So they’re having fun, but what are these kids eating? The words “camp food” don’t conjure an image of healthy food, per se. Unhealthy food may have been the norm before, but most camps adhere to nutritional guidelines.

“I think there’s been even more emphasis [on nutrition] in the last five to 10 years than ever before,” Sparks said. “Of course, we’re active and we’re runnin’ so we consume more calories, but we wanna do it in a healthy way. The emphasis is on balance.”

For kids with special needs, it may feel like camp is a pipe dream. Camp Aldersgate is devoted to giving children, some of whom never leave the hospital, a chance to go to camp and experience what their peers experience. The camp also offers financial assistance to families that qualify.

Director of Programs at Camp Aldersgate Ali Miller said they had one camper who, at 17, had spent nearly his entire life in the hospital due to kidney failure. His nephrologist recommended he go to summer camp. However, his mother was concerned because he had never been able to stay outside of the hospital. But he decided to attend camp.

“He did the zip line, he did archery, canoeing, fishing, threw the football around with some of his friends,” Miller said. “Things he never would have experienced. That week, the theme of the dance was prom. We have limos come out and drive kids from the cabins. Brandon passed away three months later and Mom called and said, ‘Ali, he had a complete new spirit about himself. He only lived three more months, but he had memories to talk about.’”

Camp gives kids a place to learn, be independent and to appreciate new things in life.