MDA summer camp now accepting 2026 applications
Campers, volunteers sought for in-person and virtual camps
The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) announced that registration is now open for its 2026 summer camp program.
The program is open to kids and teens ages 8 to 17 who have muscular dystrophy or a related neuromuscular disease. Families can submit applications for their campers via an online portal.
This summer, MDA will host 23 weeklong sessions and one virtual session, running from June 7 through Aug. 21. In-person campers will experience classic summer camp activities, including campfires, swimming, archery, horseback riding, arts and crafts, and zip-lining. Virtual campers will get access to an interactive set of programming designed to bring the fun and friendship of camp to their homes.
“The impact of this program is felt all year long, and we are excited to again create experiences across the country for campers and volunteers to come together to form lifelong memories and build community,” Alicia Dobosz, executive vice president of community engagement at the MDA, said in an association press release.
The MDA, which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, is also seeking volunteers to help run camp programs.
71 years of summer fun
“As we look toward the next 75 years of MDA’s mission, we reflect on how this program has evolved—and how campers continue to return year after year for the friendships, independence, and joy that define their experience,” Dobosz said. “We are deeply grateful to our volunteers and supporters who make this transformative program possible.”
The MDA’s summer camp has been one of the advocacy organization’s signature programs, having run for 71 years. The association said campers often point to the experience as the best week of their year. Last year, nearly 850 campers and more than 800 volunteers participated.
“MDA Summer Camp has been such an important part of my life for so many years,” said Faith, an MDA alumni national ambassador from Texas. “Now that I’ve started high school, I think back to how much confidence I gained during middle school—serving as class president and advocating with my representatives through MDA on the Hill for better access for people with disabilities. Camp is where I first learned to trust my voice, push myself, and build friendships that have strengthened me year after year. Being part of this community reminds me that I’m never alone, and it continues to inspire me to speak up, lead, and believe in what’s possible.”
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