Summer Camp, With the Right Support

by Kristina Chew · 2009-05-17 14:33:00 UTC
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Camp sign with owl from http://clipart.usscouts.org/library/Odds_and_Ends/Miscellaneous/sign_to_camp_clipart_bw.gif
Reach for the Rainbow is a non-profit organization in Ontario that sends disabled children to regular camps. The May 15th Weekend Post profiles the organization's founder, Donna Trella, whose daughter Dove was born with severe brain damage in 1979. Last year, Reach for the Rainbow sent 887 kids to 61 camps; this year, they've only been able to send 700 kids to camp as it costs an estimated $12,000 to send a child to camp. Says Trella:

"The crux of what we do is provide one-to-one support, but we also take a look at every activity that is going on in each camp and we try to adapt it. Whether it's bringing in special equipment, we are always looking at how we can make our children fully involved in every facet of what the camp has to offer. We create an environment where everybody is involved with these children."

It looks like we're going to forego camp again this year for Charlie. It would be day camp for him, and some of the camps we've heard about in our area with kids with his level of needs don't seem like quite the right fit. We were hoping to have him attend "regular" YMCA camp with an aide, but, for various reasons, I'm not sure that would work out. Just last Tuesday Charlie and I went to the YMCA: It was busy, with every room filled with people doing different classes and activities. Charlie immediately put his hands over his ears and asked to leave.

I'm keeping Trella's description of what Reach for the Rainbow does in mind: Maybe not this summer, but someday Charlie'll be a camper. We just need to be sure he has the right level of support (1:1 is needed for my son) and attentiveness.

Kristina Chew
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