Angel Camp impacts kids and staff

ROCKWALL,TX. (July 1, 2014) Angel Camp is in full swing at the JER Chilton YMCA. For the sixth year in a row, campers with special needs have the opportunity to participate in all kinds of outdoor activities, such as canoeing, swimming, riflery, archery, horse back riding, and more.

Camp Program Coordinator Lauren Atkins said the camp was designed so that kids with special needs can experience the same camp activities as their peers in a fun and safe environment.

“We already had a typical day camp, Camp Dakotah,” she said, “The Y was trying to create new programming that would meet the needs of our community.”

Six staff members help to make Angel Camp possible. Atkins said they typically keep a 1:5 staff to camper ratio at all times.

Initially, Angel Camp lasted two weeks with 20 spots for campers. Atkins said it now lasts for eight weeks and serves 100 children. Each separate session is two weeks long and runs from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Registration costs $50, because the camp is funded primarily by donations to the YMCA Partners Campaign. There are still spots available in the remaining three sessions for this summer.

The ultimate goal, Atkins said, is for the kids to have plenty of fun.

“We want our kids to be able to participate in the same activities as their peers,” she said. “Many times our campers will never have done some of our activities before. We believe that by creating a safe environment for them to try new things, they can learn, grow and most importantly have fun.”

Atkins also said that while she tries to make the experience the best it can be for each of the campers, they in turn have a profound impact on her.

“The most rewarding part for me is getting to know the kids,” she said. “Some of these kids I have known for years and years. They have taught me so much about life, about patience, about endurance, and about perseverance. For the summer we become part of these families and we create such special relationships. We get to see kids try new things and conquer new hurdles. Angel Camp and these kids have changed my life and made me a better person. People are always so quick to thank the staff for what we do, but honestly I think I get the most out this camp from just getting to work with these amazing kids.”

Submitted by Julie Anne White, Blue Ribbon News staff writer and reporter.

Photos by Lauren Atkins, YMCA Angel Camp.

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