The joy of horseback riding
Since 1979, Children’s Association for Maximum Potential (CAMP) has provided safe, fun-filled programs for more than 1,600 campers (aged 5 – 50) with Autism, Intellectual Disability, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Spina Bifida, visual impairment, and/or hearing impairment.
SAN ANTONIO (PRWEB) January 30, 2020
Too often, individuals with special needs—or are considered medically or psychologically fragile—don’t have “typical” childhood experiences found at summer camp. Due to the severity of their disabilities, many are not eligible to attend summer or weekend camps, or participate in other programs offered within the special needs community. That is, until CAMP steps in.
Since 1979, Children’s Association for Maximum Potential (CAMP) has provided safe, fun-filled recreational experiences for individuals with special needs. The mission of CAMP is to strengthen and inspire individuals with special needs – and those who care for them.
CAMP’s 55-acre summer camp—known locally as Camp CAMP—is nestled in the Texas Hill Country along the Guadalupe River, at 515 Skyline Dr East in Center Point, Texas. It is a certified Texas Youth Camp and accredited by the American Camp Association. In 2020, the six-day camps begin May 24 and run through August 7. Since campers’ siblings are welcome, this summer camp gives parents/care givers a long, well-deserved and needed respite from childcare responsibilities.
Campers are assigned counselors at a 1 to 1 camper-to-counselor ratio, which ensures the safety of the campers and provides the best possible camping experience in a medically safe environment.
All programs are inclusive to meet the specific needs of each camper, giving everyone the chance to participate in traditional camping activities such as canoeing, swimming, horseback riding, arts and crafts, archery, outdoor cooking, recreational music, nature programming, paintball target range, petting zoo, dances, karaoke and more.
CAMP programs alleviate medical, physical, developmental, social, and intellectual barriers for more than 1,600 campers by adapting activities to allow full participation. CAMP serves individuals (aged 5 – 50) with mild to severe disabilities from diagnosis with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Spina Bifida, visual impairment and/or hearing impairment.
Summer 2020 applications—for both campers, campers’ siblings and volunteers—are now available at http://www.campcamp.org. CAMP welcomes applications from residents in and out of Texas.
CAMPERS AND SIBLINGS APPLICATIONS: Camper applications require a medical and social history from the parent/guardian, a medical physical exam form, and financial information. CAMP strives to be affordable to all families through our Scholarship Tier program or through Respite funding for campers who have Medicaid Waiver and General Revenue service programs in Texas. Additional financial assistance is available for families paying out of pocket who are unable to afford the Scholarship Tier amount. Spaces fill on a first come, first served basis to those with a complete application. Visit https://campcamp.org/campers/applications/summer-camp-application/.
YOUTH AND HEALTHCARE VOLUNTEERS: CAMP also serves (and needs) two other integral populations at its summer camp:
- More than 500 teen and young adult volunteers each summer (starting at age 15)—many of whom make career decisions based on their time at CAMP.
- More than 100 medical volunteers (Physicians, Residents, Medical Students, Registered Nurses, Licensed Vocational Nurses, Nursing Students, Respiratory Therapists, Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy students, Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, etc.) who provide the medical support for our campers each summer, often while earning continuing education credits. Without CAMP’s extensive Healthcare volunteer staff, campers with severe medical needs - such as repertory issues, seizure disorders, and severe cerebral palsy – would not be able to participate at CAMP
CAMP is seeking enthusiastic, vibrant counselors aged 15 and older who are looking to challenge themselves. Volunteer counselor applications include a background check (aged 18 and over), references and an online training AND weeklong, comprehensive training session prior to being eligible to volunteer. During training, volunteers will learn how to properly care for and communicate with their camper to help them reach their maximum potential.
Similar to the campers and volunteer counselors, CAMP seeks healthcare volunteers (HCV) who are looking for a meaningful way to get outside of a clinical setting and potentially earn Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). As an HCV, they will support campers by dispensing medications, attending to medical needs, and enjoying activities through hands-on learning. https://campcamp.org/volunteer-staff/volunteerstaff-applications/
By the way, CAMP is so much more than………well……summer camp. CAMP also offers many programs during the school year (September through May) at its facility located on Lackland AFB in San Antonio, in the San Antonio area and on its property in Center Point. Programs including Respite Weekends, Parents Night Out, Teen and Adult Day Adventures, TADA Life Skills Programs, and Family Retreats offer fun and safe enrichment activities for children with special needs and their siblings, while their parents receive respite from childcare responsibilities.
“CAMP has shown me the resilience of the campers and those that care for them,” says J. Dee Evans, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, Head Nurse and mother of a 23-year-old child with special needs who requires total care who attends CAMP. “It has taught me humility, love and to be thankful for small blessings. It has shown me a different side of my son that has made me a better mom, a better nurse and a better person.”
INTERESTING CAMP FACTS in 2019:
- 1,668 campers were served through year-round programs
- 115,551 hours donated throughout the year by 818 teen and young adult volunteers
- 29 events were hosted through the school year while parents and caregivers got much needed rest
- 743 CEUs earned by healthcare volunteers throughout the summer
- 137 summer health care volunteers administered 28,946 doses of scheduled camper medications
- 97% of families agree that CAMP is helpful to their family’s well-being.
“CAMP is a place where people are free to be themselves, with no judgement or bullying,” summarizes Susan Osborne, CAMP CEO since 2012. “We are committed to lifting each other up and helping us all reach our Maximum Potential. There is no happier place on earth!”
For questions or further assistance, visit https://campcamp.org/ or contact CAMP at 210-671-5411 or campmail@campcamp.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jeanne Albrecht
CAMP Board Member
jca@jeannebiz.com
210-392-9047
January 2020
