Hooray is the dream ESP didn't realize it had until it came true. When executive director of ESP, Laura Whitaker, her husband, and board chairwoman Toni Swan walked onto the 70-acres of beautiful land in Jackson County, they had no intention of purchasing the land. ESP was in the middle of a building project in Watkinsville, and they didn’t have the funds available for another site. But as they wa
lked along the pond, sat in the rocking chairs on the porch of the small cabin and walked through the beautiful hardwood trails, they envisioned a fully accessible overnight camp- a place they didn’t have to rent, a place molded for individuals with disabilities, a place for summer but also family camps and weekend respite. The next day, Laura hopped on a plane to visit dear friends, the Strickland Family, a family who believes in the mission of ESP and who believes that we should give the best to children with disabilities. Thanks to that sweet visit and the Strickland Family’s ability to dream alongside us, they gave us a vision to dream about our future camp home, and move forward with purchasing the 70 acres that now go by the name Camp Hooray.
