Summer Camp provides a home away from home for kids and adults with disabilities
For Brandon’s birthday, he had just one wish – to catch a fish at SOAR365’s Summer Camp with his brand-new fishing pole. There was just one problem: Summer Camp was in the middle of a storm.
Luckily, we had recently purchased a new, accessible utility task vehicle (UTV), donated by the Chester Civitan Club and the Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FCIDD). During a 15-minute break in the rain, Summer Camp staff quickly loaded Brandon and his fishing pole into the UTV. He was able to safely access the creek – where he caught a fish, just in time! Brandon was so excited about his fish that he kissed it.
His mom, Charlotte, praises Summer Camp’s drive to go above and beyond. “They’re just so kind to him, all the staff. He just loves it!” she says, “It’s his happy place. Brandon has made life-long friends with campers and counselors from all over the world.”
Now 30 years old, Brandon has been a Summer Camp regular since 2017. That year was his first time trying an overnight camp.
Today, Brandon enjoys all the activities of camp, from horseback riding to arts and crafts. But at first, there was one he was wary of: paddle boating. “He was anxious about it a few years ago,” says Charlotte, “but the staff made it a fun game for him. They clapped really loud! They’re good about motivating the campers to try to new things and helping them understand that you’re not going to get hurt, you’re going to be safe.”
That sense of safety extends beyond outdoor adventures. SOAR365’s Summer Camp provides trusted assistance with personal care (as needed) and medication management. Many campers have complex medical needs, so professional nurses are available on site. We also maintain low camper-to-staff ratios for more personalized attention.
In 2024, we made memories with 417 campers, and we recruited 37 counselors from all over the world. All camp counselors receive weeks of disability training, making Summer Camp a friendly and welcoming place to be. “The campers feel empowered and cherished for who they are,” says Charlotte, “They are not trying to transform them into somebody else, and they are treating them with the dignity and respect they truly deserve.”
It gives parents peace of mind, too, and helps prevent caregiver burnout. “Summer Camp definitely gives parents a much-needed respite. Knowing he’s there, happy and safe, gives me time to wind down a little bit,” says Charlotte.
This past year, thanks to our donors, Camp Baker was able to make strategic enhancements – we made the firepit accessible, added sunshades at the pool, created a sensory room, and more!
Just like Summer Camp, Brandon is growing year after year. “I think he’s matured since he’s gone there,” says Charlotte. “He’s learned to self-advocate and learned real life skills. It’s so important. It’s a safe and loving environment, that’s for sure.”
To learn more about SOAR365’s Summer Camp at Camp Baker, click here. And keep up with the latest happenings around Camp Baker and our organization, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.