Since 1979, the
Children's Association for Maximum Potential(known affectionately as Camp CAMP) has provided safe and fun-filled recreational experiences year-round for individuals with special needs. Due to the severity of their disabilities, many of the individuals now served by CAMP are not eligible to attend other
camps or even participate in other agency programs offered within the special needs community.
Now, for the first time in its 40-year history, CAMP shuttered its spring and summer programming.
œCAMP has been closely monitoring all that is going on in local and throughout Texas and the nation, and carefully considering all information, including new guidance released this week from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Texas Governor's Office, and the American Camp Association, says Susan Osborne, CEO of CAMP since 2012 (and Director of Operations seven years before that). œBecause the health and well-being of our Campers are our number one priority, followed closely by their families, our counselors, Health Care volunteers, and our staff, we came to the decision that we must cancel our in-person summer programming in 2020 at our incredible 55-acre camp on the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country.
Year-round, CAMP programs alleviate medical, physical, developmental, social, and intellectual barriers for more than 1,600 campers from all over Texas (and beyond) by adapting activities to allow full participation. CAMP serves individuals (aged 5 “ 50) with mild to severe disabilities from diagnosis with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Spina Bifida, visual impairment, and/or hearing impairment.
Looking ahead to its school-year programming, Osborne adds that CAMP is determined to resume in-person programs at the best time and in the best ways possible, even if those programs look different (requiring smaller groups, continued social distancing, or other best practices).
œBeing able to reunite in-person as a CAMP family is always our favorite way of connecting, but world events have made that impossible since the middle of March this year, adds Brandon G. Briery, Ph.D., Chief Program Officer/Executive Camp Director of CAMP. œOur team has been working to find new ways to support our Campers and their families from afar through our ˜Virtual Spring 2020' programs on our website, which we will expand in the weeks ahead.
CAMP will provide refunds for any payments made for Summer Camp as promptly as possible.
CAMP's summer programs account for over half of the organization's revenue and could have a monumental impact on the nonprofit's finances. Any donation can help in these unprecedented times of global pandemic. Visit http://www.campcamp.org to learn more or to donate.
œNow, more than ever, we need the support of our community so we can continue to provide the very best opportunities to strengthen and inspire our campers with special needs “ and those who care for them “ now, six months from now, and in the years to come, Osborne says. œPlease make a donation today to help us #KeeptheLightsonatCAMP, and so we emerge even stronger for at least another 40 years!
NOTE:
Susan is available any day for interviews; cell is 210-771-7999
Attached Fact Sheet (written before cancellation) gives more background on CAMP.
Photos of CAMP (photo credit to CAMP): https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jta5bobzeh7bx89/AABKTgg0RmaIbnmZiJ1BhCaUa?dl=0
Source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/childrens_association_for_maximum_potential_camp_announces_cancellation_of_summer_camp/prweb17091603.htm
