This thesis presents an examination of the special needs of emotionally handicapped children, including a description of the characteristics of emotional handicaps, statistics on the number of children estimated to have an emotional handicap, possible causes for the disorder, and treatment and services that are available to meet the needs of emotionally handicapped children. A proposal for a summer camp program is provided since some summer camps have been found to provide a supplement of services that other agencies in the community already offer. A discussion of the necessary components in developing a summer camp program for emotionally handicapped children is presented, including hiring staff, recruiting participants, developing a curriculum, and evaluation procedures. Appendices are included to provide further information about teaching techniques and activities that can be used with emotionally handicapped children. This thesis, and the ideas that are presented, are influenced by the author's Social Work Practicum placement at Comprehensive Mental Health Services in Muncie, Indiana in the Alternative Families for Children Program.