photos courtesy of Camp Blessing
The purpose of Camp Blessing is for campers with a physical or intellectual disability to experience the love of Christ in a beautiful camp setting. Camp Blessing believes that is something every child should enjoy, no matter his or her level of ability!
Every day camp is filled with fun activities with trained leaders and plenty of counselors to keep everyone safe, while enjoying and experiencing the love of Christ. Campers are encouraged to participate, try new things, and to do their best. However, the biggest goal is for campers to experience love, acceptance, and fun. Camp Blessing is able to accomplish this by having a one-to-one ratio, one counselor to one camper, as their buddy for the duration of camp.
Camp Blessing welcomes those 7 to 19-years-old — with one week dedicated to young adults — as well as siblings, ages 7-13, to be a camper themselves. The volunteers most needed are counselors age 16-26, but there are opportunities for those aged 13 to adult. Camp Blessing also has a specific program for the siblings of special needs campers in which they can receive additional attention apart from that of parents and caregivers. In addition to volunteers, the summer staff consists of 40 college students.
Campers catch on quickly to Camp Blessing’s fun traditions and silly songs that go on around camp and at meal time. With three home-cooked meals served daily, special diets are offered, and the doctor and/or nurses will attend to each child as needed for assistance or medicine.
Daily activities for campers include canoeing, archery, arts and crafts, music time, swimming, ball sports, fishing, water games, costume closet, ropes course, rock climbing wall, and theme parties every evening! These include messy games, carnival night, dance parties, and the variety show. The final evening always includes a special time of cabins praying together.
After evening events, Camp Blessing has an amazing worship, celebrating our God. This is a wonderful time for all to worship as they know how. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!”
Volunteers are always needed, so if you want to serve, apply today! Volunteers mostly consist of 16-26 year olds who are growing in their relationship with the Lord. Each volunteer is trained to be able to handle anything that comes up. Training covers topics such as personal care, safety, behavior management, and diagnosis-specific care. Volunteers and the staff receive training before any campers arrive. Visit www.campblessing.org/index.php/volunteer to view application.
by Ashlea Gutierrez
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