We provide an adaptive and recreational camp experience for children, teenagers, and adults who have physical, developmental, and intellectual disabilities. The campers in our programs enjoy all the fun and traditions of a traditional summer camp, including swimming, fishing, making s’mores, arts & crafts, themed dance, and so many more! Each week we feature a Special Event, like a horse drawn car
riage ride through our nearly hundred acres of private riverfront property, visiting an interactive petting zoo, watching an original play, and putting on a talent show! Campers experience these traditions alongside Buddies and Camp Leaders, who are young adult volunteers and staff members from the community. Our Buddy Program provides one-on-one care and companionship to each camper. Each buddy is a high school or college aged volunteer who has expressed an interest in supporting people with disabilities, and has successfully completed our screening and training requirements. Our Camp Leader Program provides extensive, effective, and hands-on leadership and supervision for our buddies and their campers. Each camp leader is an adult who has gone through extensive training to prepare them to provide empathetic care and support for our campers and buddies during their time at camp. Camp I Am Special provides a respite opportunity for families and caregivers of individuals with disabilities. The relationships our staff and buddies build with our campers create an environment that family members can be confident knowing their campers are safe and having a great time. This level of comfort allows for the true rest and relaxation every family deserves. Camp I Am Special provides a transformative experience for everyone involved to learn more about being inclusive of people with disabilities, make incredible friends, provide a valuable service to the community, and spend time at camp in retreat of busy schedules and responsibilities.
