Lions Camp Offers Fun
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Lions Camp Offers Fun |
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A newspaper article about the Florida Lions Camp published in the Lake Wales News on July 11, 2002. | ||
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By the end of this summer, hundreds more people will have found their smiles and realized their dreams at the 52-acre Lions Camp east of Lake Wales. Founded in 1974, the Florida Lions Camp is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs of youth and adults with visual, physical, and mental disabilities. Anyone five years of age or older is eligible to attend, regardless of income or severity of impairment. No camper who applies is turned away-an amazing claim made possible by the generosity and hard work of the Lions of Multiple District 35 and the donations of many individuals, businesses, and philanthropic organizations. The goal of the camp is to increase the quality of life of the campers through experiences which instill self-worth and foster independence. Counselors focus on what the campers can do rather than what they can't, and regular camp activities include swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, camping out, games, arts, crafts, singing and dancing, and hay-wagon rides. With a camper to staff ratio of less than three to one, counselors are able to adapt activities to the age and ability of each camper to ensure maximum participation. Currently, the camp offers ten sessions each summer, with weeks divided by age groups and abilities. Sessions are available for siblings to accompany their disabled brothers or sisters, and special weeks are set aside for adult campers to enjoy a "resort" setting. Just last year, the camp was reaccredited through ACA., with a perfect score of 100 percent, something that the staff is rightfully proud of and works hard to maintain. As in past years, this year's summer staff is an international group, consisting of 35 program staff, 1 nurse, 3 administrators, and 12 support staff, from all over the United States, England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Russia, Hungary, Romania, Sweden, Poland, the Netherlands, and South Africa. These energetic adults from all over the world give 12 weeks of their summer to offer the gift of a summer camp experience to people with disabilities. They work 12 to 14-hour days for a small salary, but all find the experience pays in much more important ways. Volunteers are always welcome at the camp. Staff especially need help between 2 and 5 pm on check-in days, but volunteers are invited any time to lend a hand in the kitchen, help out with housekeeping, lead an arts and crafts project, teach a skill, or sing songs to the campers. Opportunities are as varied as individual volunteers. Every session, the Lions Camp hosts a special event. For the Younger campers, its an evening carnival, complete with popcorn, cotton candy, clowns, face painting, and midway games. For the adults and teenagers, a dinner/dance is designed with a prom in mind. In preparation, ladies attend an afternoon beauty spa, while the men relax at the fishing hole. Campers dress in their finest, dinner is served by candlelight, ladies are given corsages, and the carnations are pinned to the lapels of the men. After dinner, a DJ provides music for dancing. The camp also holds their very own "Special Olympics." |
Campers train and then participate in a series of sporting events. Teenagers with visual impairments have the opportunity to receive golf training with professionals from the Blind Golfers Association and play on a local course. The grand finale to each session is a talent show held Friday morning. Campers get the chance to flaunt their hidden skills, become the stars that they all are inside, and show their parents and caregivers what they have gained during their stay at camp. Camp facilities include a gymnasium, volleyball court, and baseball and soccer fields, and the campers are offered participation in sports ranging from basketball to ultimate Frisbee and golf. A junior Olympic-sized pool with a waterslide is on site, and the camp also has access to Tiger Lake, which enables fishing, canoeing, and boat rides. During the arts and crafts programs, campers have the opportunity to paint and make masks, dream catchers, candles, and shell crafts. In the music and drama sessions, the campers can dress up, participate in skits, plays, and puppetry, and experience the joys of music, and generally make a lot of noise. A high ropes, low ropes, and team building course encourages campers to work as part of a team, allowing them to build confidence, set goals, and make decisions outside the usual boundaries found in their everyday lives. Now in session is the camp for youth with visual disabilities and their siblings, ages 5 to 12. The July 21 to 26 will be reserved for youth with visual impairments, ages 9 to 12, and the July 28 to Aug. 2 session will be offered to youth with multiple disabilities and their siblings and friends, ages 5 to 12. The Aug. 4 to 9, 11 to 16, and 18 to 23 sessions are "Resort Camps" for adults with multiple disabilities, 18 and older. Camps already held this summer include a week for teens with visual impairments and a session for young adults with multiple handicaps. The Florida Lions Camp participates in the Summer Food Service program. Meals are provided to all eligible children free of charge in a program similar to the National School Lunch Program. Nutritionally balanced meals are provided to needy children regardless of race, color, creed, sex, handicap, age, or national origin during summer camp. All those 18 and younger who qualify for a free or reduced price breakfast or lunch during the regular school year and children who are members of a household receiving food stamps, TANF, or FDPIR benefits may receive meals at no charge. Each child must submit an income eligibility application. Family size and income is then compared with income guidelines established by USDA. For more information on the Florida Lions Camp call (863)-696-1948. The camp is located at 2819 Tiger Lake Road, off State Road 60, just east of Lake Wales. |
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Florida Lions Camp
2819 Tiger Lake Road Lake Wales, FL 33898 863-696-1948
website managed by Kristen Frontera KFrontera@gmail.com |
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