- 443-518-7671
- attawayprograms@gmail.com
Season 2023 Camp Dates: June 30-July 21

Our Mission:
To nurture the mind, the body, and the spirit of children who are missing out on fun, friendship, success, and achievement because of difficulty managing their emotions and behavior, as well as provide education and mental health supports to families.
Camp Attaway is a one-of a-kind Howard County therapeutic recreation program for children ages 7-13 with complex emotional and behavioral disorders. For more than 26 years, this day camp and treatment program has supported children who often face challenges when they try to participate in traditional camp experiences. Through Camp Attaway, children learn how to break out of their negative cycle and learn new skills while enjoying sports, nature, art, rock climbing, swimming, and adventures of all kinds. Attaway also has a Counselor-In-Training Program for former campers 13-15 years old that focuses on leadership and job skills.
In the words of a grateful Attaway parent– “Camp Attaway is one of my son’s highlights every year. It is a place where he thrives and since there aren’t many places where he does so well, Camp Attaway stands out as a unique positive experience. Because Camp Attaway is structured and run in a way that makes my son feel emotionally and physically safe, he is able to learn new skills at a remarkable rate. Our whole family notices his application of his Camp Attaway skills throughout the whole year.”
“This program is a lifeline for children who struggle fitting into conventional social structures.” – Parent
Attaway also provides year-round parent education and support programs run by a child psychologist, as usual parenting techniques can be inadequate for dealing with a child with complex emotional and behavioral challenges, especially when he or she is often angry, defiant, argumentative, or aggressive. Teaching an evidence-based approach provides parents with specific techniques for facilitating the healing process, helping them regain control of their home and also re-establishing a healthy relationship with their child. Additionally, the support component of the groups help parents to deal with caregiver stress, burnout and social isolation that is unfortunately common when one’s child has emotional and behavioral challenges.
“The support group is a major benefit to Attaway. It gives parents tools and perspective to deal with their child.” – Parent
“It is great. Knowing that you’re not alone. And that it’s not my fault or wrongful parenting that is causing my daughter’s behaviors.” – Parent
Our Award Winning Tradition
Attaway has been recognized by winning four of Howard County’s most prestigious awards:
– O’Donnell Family Award from Howard County’s Citizen’s Services Board in recognition of extraordinary commitment to providing caring, outstanding & effective direct care to children and youth in the county. Attaway was honored to receive the evening’s highest accolade.
– Casey Pebble Willis Making a Difference Award. The Community Foundation of Howard Co honors one non-profit annually for making a significant measurable impact in changing lives.
– Audrey Robbins Humanitarian Award. The Association of Community Services of Howard Co awarded Attaway the Employee Team of the Year. This award honors the work of human services organizations & their staff who go above and beyond all expectations in service to the community.
–Community Impact Award by the Association of Community Services. This prestigious award recognizes the significant impact Attaway has had on the community for 26 years.


Parents Testimonials:
"Camp Attaway is one of my son’s highlights every year. It is a place where he thrives and since there aren’t many places where he does so well, Camp Attaway stands out as a unique positive experience."
"Camp Attaway has been the single most beneficial experience in my son's entire therapeutic plan. Not only do the kids have fun, but when conflicts or difficult situations surface the children are coached on the spot on how to communicate and resolve problems."
“What was most beneficial at Camp Attaway is my child making friends, being able to be herself while learning positive ways to cope with situations, and her not feeling so alone with her disabilities that she faces.”
“Attaway is an extraordinary place that has changed our lives in more ways than you can imagine. It is literally the best thing that has ever happened to him. I love hearing about all of the positive things he’s learning, and how he sets daily goals and meets them, not to mention the amount of one-on-one time he gets with the phenomenal counselors."
“Other adults judged my husband and me as “bad parents” because of Rose’s behavior. Summers were a nightmare due to the need for camps- camps that could not appropriately care for our daughter. At Camp Attaway, Rose began to make friends and one of those friends made at Camp Attaway is a friend to this day, going all the way through high school with her.”
“As parents, we participated in the parent support group and learned so very much. We learned that we were not alone and that we were not bad parents. We learned how to manage Camille’s behavior and to remain positive when she did things we didn’t like. These experiences were powerful.
“What was most beneficial is that Carlos felt less like “the bad kid” since he was with other children who face the same struggles he faces and since he was no longer viewed by the camp counselor as being “bad,” which was not the case at the previous camp he attended and was kicked out of.”
“Wonderful, professional, experienced staff all around. Love them! They are enthusiastic and genuinely love to help the kids.”
" Because Camp Attaway is structured and run in a way that makes my son feel emotionally and physically safe, he is able to learn new skills at a remarkable rate. Our whole family notices his application of his Camp Attaway skills throughout the whole year. Thank you Camp Attaway!"
"Camp Attaway It is the ONLY place my son goes where he is not judged and can interact with other kids safely. We LITERALLY plan our summer around the camp dates because attending Attaway is out #1 priority.”
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