They're Ready, Are You?

A week of overnight camp packed full of adventure, campfires, fun, friends and no parents! Sounds great to the kids. An entire week of wondering who is going to keep an eye on your child, get them to sleep at night or meet their special needs, sounds concerning to the parents.

We realize that sending a child to overnight camp is a difficult decision, especially a child with particular needs. We have provided stories from parents of former campers and a list of common concerns. These may assist you with your decision to give your child the chance to experience all the friendship, fun and excitement of Rotary Camp - a place where disabilities and limits do not hold kids back.

A Continued Tradition

Overnight camp is our flagship program. Children with disabilities learn new skills, develop friendships, and gain independence through this one week overnight experience. While at camp, campers participate in traditional camping activities which include swimming, kayaking, campfires, songs, crafts, games, and much, much more!

Program areas are designed with the special needs of our campers in mind. Campers rotate with their cabin groups though the different areas in half hour blocks. Many activities are sensory focused, giving campers new ways to see the world. Whether it’s holding a lizard, trying new foods, or sitting in our state of the art sensory room, campers are provided with opportunities to experience the world in a different way.

The goals of overnight camp are to increase camper’s independence and self-esteem; encourage campers to try new leisure activities and become more physically active; experience the natural world and develop social skills. These goals are accomplished through the natural dynamics of the overnight camp experience, intentional programming and staff leadership.

What to bring on your adventure

Campers are very active while at camp, so we suggest that you not send new clothing and instead should be practical and clean. In order to keep track of your camper's clothing, please put your camper's name on each item of clothing and equipment. Unclaimed clothing will be kept at camp for two weeks and after each summer camp session ends, it will be donated to local charitable organizations.

Please do not bring any of the following: CDs, radio or MP3 players, pocketknives, BB guns, cell phones, matches or fireworks. Gum, candy, pop or food as it may attract critters.

The following is a suggested list of clothing for the camp experience. Baggage should be limited to one suitcase and a bedroll. This list can be used as an inventory and taped on the inside of your camper's suitcase to aid them when checking out.

Necessary items include:

• Sleeping bags or sheets and blankets
• Pillows
• Dirty laundry bag
• Rain coat or poncho
• 1 long sleeve shirt
• T-shirts
• 1-2 sweatshirts
• Swim suit
• 1 jacket/sweater
• Comb or brush
• Toothbrush/paste
• Shampoo
• Soap
• Deodorant
• 2 bath towels
• 2 washcloths
• Pairs of socks
• Pajamas
• 1 pair of tennis shoes
• 1 pair of hiking shoes
• 1 pair of swimming shoes
• 2 pairs of pants/jeans
• 3-4 pairs of shorts
• Pairs of underwear
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito repellent

Optional:

• Flashlight
• Box/bucket for toiletry items
• Camera/film
• Brimmed hat

Parents/guardians are responsible for any items brought to camp by the camper, including appropriate and inappropriate items. Rotary Camp, the Akron Area YMCA and its representatives will not be held responsible for missing items.

Adventure Areas

Rotary Camp offers 4 Adventure Areas. Campers get the opportunity to participate in all activities where they learn different skills and are able to enjoy themselves and play along with others.

Note From a Parent

I'd liked to say thanks to Dan and his team for asking me to share our family's Akron Rotary Camp experiences. I'd like you to imagine a 6-year-old boy, with an infectious giggle, a loving personality and an insatiably curious mind. Now imagine that same boy speaking only 3-word sentences, unable to share his needs or feelings, afraid of so many things and without the most rudimentary of self-help skills. He sleeps an average of 3 hours per night, and because he is a “Houdini-in-training,” needs parental supervision 24-hours-a-day. For us, it's a reality. Our youngest son, Ben is diagnosed with autism and we have been coping with his unique needs for almost 6 years when I heard about Akron Rotary Camp.

Rotary Camp was highly recommended by other parents of children with special needs as well as Ben's service coordinator and so, we decided to give it a go. However, once the forms were filled out, doubt crept in. Would Ben run away? Would he scream all day? Would these strangers care for my son? Would they understand he ate only 3 things? I almost canceled but didn't. Ben went to Rotary Camp for the first time 4 years ago.

That first week, I sat by the phone waiting for the call telling me that he'd run away, hurt himself, hurt someone else, was lost at sea - or all of the above. I did get a call - from Dan, telling me that Ben was having a great time, laughing and playing! I couldn't believe it, my son, out there having fun, doing camp activities and having a blast - just like any other 6-year-old. Ben learned to have fun and I slowly learned not to have a heart attack.

Ben went to camp for 7 weeks that first year. His speech improved in frequency and functionality - he could express his thoughts and feelings so much better than at the beginning of the summer. He learned social skills, rules and was ready for kindergarten. But most of all, he had fun. Ben has gone to Akron Rotary Camp ever since.

At Rotary Camp, I don't worry - I know that despite his medical and intellectual needs; he can thrive and just be a kid. Dan and his team put Ben “the person” at the forefront of their program and that's important - to have someone see my son for who he is rather than what he is diagnosed with. Ben tells me he is going to learn to swim this year - this from the kid who'd have a melt down if he got wet! His desire to swim is a testament to his comfort level and the trust he has at Rotary Camp. So, huge thanks to Dan Reynolds and his team, for allowing my son to have a wonderful summer each year. Thanks to you, I have peace of mind and one happy, thriving child. Thank you.