Never too early to start planning for summer camp!
by Sara
When I was a kid, going to summer Camp brought me out of my shell. I learned there were other kids out there with interests similar to mine. I loved to play piano and practically any musical instrument you put in front of me, and camp was a great way for me to meet fellow budding musicians. Many of them are my friends to this day.
Here at Easter Seals Crossroads, summertime gives me an opportunity to see those same sorts of relationships created for the children who participate in CampAbility or Camp R.O.C.K.S. What’s great about camps through Easter Seals is that they have therapeutic benefits. Both CampAbility and Camp R.O.C.K.S. have physical, speech and occupational therapists working alongside the kids. Easter Seals is also the largest provider of recreation and camping services for people with disabilities in the country.
When kids are separated from their parents for the first time, they gain a sense of independence and start to trust themselves and their own instincts. Camp environment allows kids to participate in teams, discover what they’re interested in and meet a new circle of friends.
Last year I had my first visit to the Camp R.O.C.K.S. in Martinsville, about 30 minutes south of Indianapolis. This two-week overnight camp allows young people on the autism spectrum to meet others like themselves and participate in fun activities such as swimming, hiking, high ropes courses, basketball and outdoor camping. The climbing wall was my favorite outdoor activity. The campers were so brave — I’m not so sure I would have made it to the top!
Camp staff coached the campers as they climbed upward, giving them words of encouragement. Some campers had made strong friendships and were practically inseparable, so they climbed the wall together.
On my drive home from Camp R.O.C.K.S. I reflected on my own camp experiences and related them to the fun and lifelong relationships that these kids are engaging in now. Do you have a similar camp experience you’d like to share? Leave a comment on this blog and let us know!
July 3rd, 2013 at 7:28 pm
Dusty,
Easter Seals and Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region agree that Medicaid patients are falling through the cracks. That is why we engage in advocacy, working together with agencies and families to have more of an impact on these types of state decisions.
The decision by Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region to stop accepting Medicaid as a payer source for individual therapy clients 8 and older was incredibly painful and difficult.
However, they continue to offer their services on a sliding scale and offer financial assistance to qualified families who apply.
In regard to the new facility. I wanted to let you know that renovations and the addition of the walking track were paid for with restricted grant donations, not Walk With Me gifts or general donations. The granting organization (DCEO) required that their funds be used in those specific ways.
These are difficult times and Easter Seals is working hard to help as many families as possible. We wish we could do more and are hopeful that our advocacy work with families and other agencies will have a positive impact state decision makers.
Cameron Robbins
Interactive Marketing Manager
Easter Seals
July 2nd, 2013 at 12:48 pm
I know exactly what you mean Yanee. My daughter’s therapy services and pretty much the only place she goes and has social interactions was taken away at the beginning of this year. Easter Seals Dupage stopped servicing medicaid patients just like every other place has. Medicaid patients are dropping through the cracks in the system. Easter Seals was a last resort for kids like mine. Now she is lost in the system like all the other disabled people on medicaid. It is sad and angering that they dropped us. I understand the state isn’t paying them and they are afraid to go out of business. I think if they were really afraid to go out of business they wouldn’t have just updated the center and bought a new building length ceiling track. Well at least those kids whose parents can afford to insure them will get to use it! I always felt like easter seals was a powerful tool in our corner. NOw I feel betrayed. Why should I walk for them and go asking people money for them? I don’t want my money and hard work to go to people that already have what they need. I want it to go to family’s like mine that struggle for daily existence. This is WRONG!
May 4th, 2013 at 9:56 pm
My son has attended ei at Easter Seals, then 8 years of daycamp. Two years ago, he started overnight camp and I’ve sen him mature beyond measure. When camp is over, during the school year he attends respite for 11 hours on the first Saturday of the month. On the second Saturdays, there’s Saturday Night Out, when he enjoys community activities and holiday parties.
As of June 30th, all of these experiences will end. I feel overwhelmed and am afraid for my son’s abrupt disconnect from his “family”. Every single recreation program will end…what can we do?