Camp Little Giant
Southern Illinois University
Camp Little Giant is an overnight camp for youth and adults with disabilities, run by Southern Illinois University's Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center in the forests near Makanda. Campers do adaptive sports, archery, climbing and ropes courses, horseback riding, hiking, standup paddleboarding, fishing, outdoor cooking, and arts and crafts, at a stated four-campers-to-one-staff ratio. The camp has served campers with disabilities since 1952 and states it was the first camp of its kind in the nation and the first accredited by the American Camp Association. No formal diagnosis is required to attend, and campers who cannot meet the published Essential Eligibility Criteria are welcome if they bring a 1:1 caregiver.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact Southern Illinois University directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
Camps nearby
Accreditations & licensing
As stated by the camp or listed in the accrediting organization's directory — confirm current status with the accreditor.
Google Reviews
Powered by Google
★★★★★Mike FI am from up by Saint Louis where we have tons of options but down in Carbondale it's not as much of a mountain bike town. One of the builders Jason Martin was a childhood friend of mine and I kept up with the build from the beginning. You can tell a lot of thought and hard work went into this trail. If you live in Carbondale and wish there was a place to ride.. .this is it. Lots of trails and fun. Nothing difficult but it's a great way to get your feet into mountain biking.
★★★★★Gretchen FlattI went camping here for my 5th grade field trip in 1988. I still, to this day, tell stories about the Touch of Nature field trip that I experienced! I can’t believe it’s still open!! The lava pit we swung from a rope to the other side of the pit, using team work to get all the kids to the other side. They taught us how to canoe, fish, told camp fire stories!! All you whiny complaining reviews about it being cold and muddy- get over yourself its OUTDOORS!! I remember they used to pick all the ticks off our socks and put them in glass viles of alcohol to send off to be tested for Lyme disease I’m sure. If I have positive memories from this same exact camp, 35 years ago, that speaks volumes about it not just being a camping and nature excursion, it’s educational and teaches you about the outdoors!!! And that may include a little mud and bugs for the folks that are scared of “barely roughing it!!!” Such a genuine positive experience I had! Thank you for making that life long memory possible!!!! 🥳🥰
★★★★★Taryn BieriTouch of Nature is a great family friendly place to explore the woods from many trails, paddle on Little Grassy Lake, or host an event. There is a lodge, many cabins and two dining halls. The staff is friendly and happy to assist anyone in booking an event. They offer interpretive programs and guided hikes/paddles.
★★★★★Mercedees EdwardsLoved this place! I went for the Maple Syrup Festival and it was so much fun! The staff was super friendly and most everything was free, educational, and fun! Such a beautiful place to experience the event and I would recommend to go check it out if they host anything else!
★★★★★Ruth FowlerMy husband and I had our wedding here a few weekends ago and couldn't have had a better day. :) We had our ceremony at the outdoor amphitheater and reception at Freeberg Hall. The staff were all wonderful! We both highly recommend Touch of Nature for anyone wanting to make their wedding ( or other event) special.