Special needs kids spend a week at camp
July 20, 2006

Camp songs drift from a distance and the sounds of kids splashing in a pool come from ahead. Horse hooves click on the pavement followed by laughter and cheers.

All around are the noises of summer camp. This camp, however, isn't the ordinary summer getaway.

Camp C.A.M.P., which is hosted by the Children's Association of Maximum Potential, is a week long and held each year for children who are ineligible to attend most summer camps because they have varying degrees of physical, emotional and behavioral problems. The camp is equipped to serve children with tracheotomies, ventilators, gastrostomies, catheters, dialysis, overnight drip infusions and other medical conditions.

Although camp only comes once a year, the children look forward to it year-round. With the help of generous donations and grants, this summer Lutheran Social Services was able to send 13 special needs foster children to Camp C.A.M.P. in Center Point, Texas.

The camp gives special needs children the opportunity to spend five days with children facing similar challenges, enjoying activities they wouldn't normally be able to do. Activities include swimming, horseback riding, canoeing, archery, outdoor cooking, campfire songs, karaoke night and a coed dance.

For many campers, it is a week they will never forget and filled with "firsts."

Damion, a 12-year-old camper with a tracheotomy, got into a swimming pool and went completely under water for the first time, which can often be risky for tracheotomy patients. However, because there is a full medical staff, it was one of the happiest days of Damion's life.

Bianca, a 9-year-old girl with muscular dystrophy, rode a horse for the first time. Confined to a wheelchair, she has no functioning motor skills. Thanks to the medical staff and volunteers, she rode the horse and smiled as if she was on top of the world.

James, who is 15 and has Down's syndrome, experienced the excitement of his first coed dance at the camp. In fact, James never wanted to leave the dance floor.

"It's so amazing to see how excited the kids are when they return from the camp each summer," said Jamie Johnson, a case worker for one of the children. "Not only are the kids excited about the camp, but the parents also look forward to having a week-long vacation for themselves. They are always so grateful."

Each child is paired with his or her own counselor and new best friend for the entire week. High school students from all over Texas volunteer to spend several weeks of their summer giving special needs children the opportunity to just be kids.

Each year Lutheran Social Services strives to send as many special needs foster children to the camp as they can. The cost of the camp is $600 per camper, not including transportation, but the smiles on the kids' faces as they experience a week of firsts are priceless.

To put a smile on a child's face and send him or her to camp next year, please visit www.LSSS.org and click on Giving.

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