Sunshine Scholarship: Supporting Summers That Work for Families of Children with Disabilities in Mercer County, NJ

For many families, summer is imagined as a season of carefree days, new friendships, and memorable experiences. But for some families of children with disabilities, summer often requires careful planning, creativity, and, at times, difficult compromises.

When the school year ends, so does the structure many children rely on. For some children living with a disability, this sudden lack of structure can impact them greatly, causing emotional distress and set backs on the progress they’ve made throughout the year under the structure of school. Finding programs that meet a child’s needs can be hard to find over the summer. Age limits, limited local options, and rising costs can narrow choices even quicker. For many families, summer becomes less about opportunity and more about what is realistically accessible.

The Sunshine Scholarship, previously known as Campership Scholarship, from the Progressive Center for Independent Living was created to help shift that reality.

At its core, the program provides financial assistance—giving awards of up to $400—to help families access summer enrichment opportunities between Memorial Day and Labor Day. But what makes the Sunshine Scholarship truly impactful for people with disabilities is not just the funding. It is the flexibility.

This is not a one-size-fits-all program.

While many scholarships are limited to traditional camp settings, the Sunshine Scholarship recognizes that not every child thrives in the same environment. For some, a full-day camp is ideal. For others, a weekly program, a specialized activity, or a more flexible schedule better supports their needs.

It allows families to think beyond the standard definition of summer programming and instead choose experiences that are meaningful, appropriate, and aligned with their child’s goals.

For Angela and her son, Tim, that flexibility made all the difference.

Tim has a passion for gymnastics and benefits from staying active and engaged. During the school year, he participates in Special Olympics, but summer had always presented a gap. While he receives services through PerformCare Children’s System of Care, the available summer options were limited, often not within a reasonable driving distance, and frequently restricted to younger age groups.

When Angela learned about the Sunshine Scholarship through her caseworker, it offered something different. It gave her the ability to choose a program that truly fit her son. 

That summer, Tm enrolled in Inclusion Sports Performance Training, a gymnastics-based program that met once a week throughout the summer season. Rather than a traditional full-day camp, this format allowed him to stay consistent with his training while still maintaining balance at home.

The smaller group setting gave him more individualized attention, helping him build both skill and confidence. Over time, Angela saw measurable progress. In fact by the end of the summer—he finally mastered his back flip, a milestone that reflected both his hard work and the benefit of the right environment.

Just as meaningful were the relationships he began to form. What started as shared time in class grew into friendships that extended beyond the program itself.

For Angela’s family, the impact extended beyond her son’s growth. At the time, they were navigating financial strain due to unemployment. The Sunshine Scholarship provided a way to say yes to an opportunity that might not have otherwise been possible.

What could have been a summer defined by limitations instead became one of progress, connection, and continued development.

For another family in Mercer County, the need looked different but was just as important.

Their 13-year-old son, who we will call Jake, relies heavily on structure. During the school year, his routine is supported by school and in-home ABA therapy. When summer arrives, those routines shift quickly, and the loss of structure can affect his mood and ability to regulate emotions.

His mother first heard about the Sunshine Scholarship through another parent at a school function. After looking into PCIL and learning more about available supports for people with disabilities in New Jersey, she decided to apply.

With the help of the scholarship, Jake was able to attend Sky Zone Camp. The environment was active, energetic, and full of movement—something that turned out to be exactly what he needed.

The physical activity gave him an outlet to release frustration and manage his emotions in a healthy way. At the same time, being surrounded by peers created opportunities for social interaction in a setting that felt natural and engaging.

Over the course of the summer, his mother noticed a shift. He returned home calmer, more relaxed, and better able to regulate his emotions. One of the moments that stayed with her most was simply seeing his enjoyment—watching him fully engaged and happy in an environment that worked for him.

Without the scholarship, she believes the summer would have been far more difficult. He would have spent more time at home, with fewer opportunities for engagement, which likely would have led to increased frustration.

The impact reached beyond her son. Having a consistent and appropriate program gave her the ability to manage daily responsibilities and even take a moment for herself—something that is often difficult for caregivers to prioritize.

Her message to other families considering applying was simple. It is worth it.

These stories reflect something larger happening across Mercer County, NJ. Families of children with disabilities are often navigating systems that are not built with flexibility in mind. Programs can be rigid. Options can be limited. And what works for one child may not work for another.

The Sunshine Scholarship recognizes that reality.

It creates space for families to choose what works best, whether that is a traditional camp, a specialized program, or a more individualized summer experience. It supports not just participation, but meaningful participation—experiences that help children build skills, form connections, and grow in ways that align with who they are.

At its heart, the Sunshine Scholarship is about expanding what summer can look like.

For people with disabilities in New Jersey, that might mean learning a new skill, building confidence, or simply having a place to belong. For families, it means having options, support, and the ability to create a summer that feels both manageable and meaningful without financial strain.

And in many cases, that makes all the difference.

If you, or someone you know, would benefit from the Sunshine Scholarship, please visit www.pcil.org/sunshinescholarship for complete information on the scholarship and how to apply.