Partners

Camp Blue Skies

https://campblueskies.org

The mission of Camp Blue Skies Foundation is to offer camps to adults with developmental disabilities, enhancing their lives through recreation, socialization and life skills education. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Camp Blue Skies serves adults age 21 and older with cognitive and developmental disabilities.

Camps:

1.  NORTH CAROLINA- Camp Blue Skies offers two 5 day sessions of camp every autumn at YMCA Camp Harrison, 7901 S NC Hgwy 18, Boomer, NC 28606, about 90 minutes northwest of Charlotte. https://campblueskies.org/north-carolina

2.  SOUTH CAROLINA- Camp Blue Skies offers a 3-day weekend camp every autumn at YMCA Camp Thunderbird, 1 Thunderbird Lane, Lake Wylie, SC 29710, about 17 miles south of uptown Charlotte. https://campblueskies.org/weekend

3.  GEORGIA- Camp Blue Skies offers two 5 day sessions of camp every spring at camp Twin Lakes, 1391 Keencheefoonee Road, Rutledge, Georgia 30663. https://campblueskies.org/georgia

Camp Paivika

https://www.abilityfirst.org/camp-paivika/

Camp Paivika’s Summer Program consists of multiple sessions from June through August.

Campers are grouped with peers and assigned to specific schedules. Located in the beautiful San Bernardino National Forest, Camp Paivika offers overnight summer programs for children and adults with mild to severe developmental and physical disabilities such as autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and Down syndrome. It is fully accredited by the American Camp Association. Camp Paivika’s first group of campers chose its name. In the language of the Cahuilla Native Americans, the word “paivika” (pronounced pi-vee-ka) means “dawn.” The name is appropriate, as it reflects a new dawn of welcome, acceptance and inclusion.

Camp Courageous

https://campcourageous.org

Camp Courageous consists of nearly 400 acres of land, 33 buildings and serves nearly 10,000 individuals with special needs on an annual basis in beautiful Monticello, Iowa. Camp Courageous welcomes individuals with developmental or physical disabilities or health conditions ranging in age from 3 to adulthood. Various camper sessions are available throughout the year depending on the age of the individual.

Colorado Lions Camp

https://www.coloradolionscamp.org

The Colorado Lions Camp is nestled in the scenic Pike National Forest in Woodland Park, Colorado. The camp offers a variety of programs throughout the year, including week-long summer camp sessions (Sunday to Friday) and weekend respite camps (Thursday to Sunday). Programs are tailored to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities, ranging from eight-year-old campers to senior adults. Colorado Lions Camp provides exceptional camping programs to individuals with disabilities which promote independence, challenge their abilities and provide an opportunity to discover their own potential in a safe, positive environment.

Rising Treetops at Oakhurst

https://risingtreetops.org

Rising Treetops at Oakhurst is located in Oakhurst, New Jersey, Ocean Township, Monmouth County.  Just a mile from the Atlantic Ocean is the beautiful 15-acre wooded campus where people with special needs can have fun, be cared for, and learn new ways to grow and become more independent. Rising Treetops is open all year, serving children and adults with special needs through summer sleep away camp, year-round overnight respite (planned and emergency) and day respite care programs. Rising Treetops mission is to enhance the quality of life for children and adults with special needs, including autism and physical and intellectual disabilities, and provide respite for their families through a year-round camp experience.

Camp Summit

https://www.campsummittx.org

Camp Summit, located in Paradise, Texas, just north of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex on 460 acres of land, is a one-of-a-kind camp for individuals with disabilities where the emphasis is on each campers' abilities rather than their disabilities. Traditional camp activities are adapted to each individual and implemented by trained, caring staff. Campers are grouped by age, providing the opportunity to make friends within peer groups while having fun and experiencing new adventures.The mission of Camp Summit is to provide barrier-free outdoor experiences that promote personal growth and foster independence for children and adults with disabilities.

Testimonials from Camp Paivikia, Crestline, CA

Christopher Akubuilo

Age 36

Christopher loves so much about Camp Paivika, and especially, hair braiding, sports, swimming, nature walks and arts and crafts!

Randi Carter

Age 46

Here’s what Randi has to say about why she loves Camp Paivika:Why does going to camp make you happy?"Going to camp makes me happy because I get to meet new people."Why is going to camp important to you?"It's important to me to be able to go to camp because I have fun and it feels like home to me. The people there are like my family."What would you like to say to the people who gave you the scholarship?"Thank you for helping me go to camp because it's my favorite thing. I love camp!

Johnathon Rose

Age 26

What Johnathon Loves about camp:“Dancing!”“Music!”“Swimming!”“Laughing!”“Costumes!”“Art!”“All of it!”

Noah Arvinger

Age 22
Noah likes the nature hikes where she is able to look down from the top of the mountain and see San Bernadino. She also enjoys the Nature Scavenger Hunt, and the open campfire skits. She especially likes playing ping pong in the rec room with her mom, painting and drawing!

Testimonials from Camp Courageous, Monticello, IA!

Bryce Ancell

Age 24

Written by Bryce’s counselor at Camp Courageous!“Bryce loves Camp Courageous and is always ready to enjoy a great trip to the bowling lanes at camp. He always walks up to the lanes beaming with confidence and a large smile across his face. Bryce is a thrill seeker and is always so excited to defy gravity and fly high at camp due to the numerous adventure activities ranging from soaring on the zipline to climbing in a tree to challenge himself while also having a great time. Bryce is a quiet young man, but his amazing smile and his happy demeanor speak volumes.”

Andrew Malone

Age 31

Andrew loves Camp Courageous, gaining independence, and interacting with longtime campers, new campers and camp staffers, and visitors! I understand that he’s always smiling and makes camp a positive experience for those around him.

Testimonials from Camp Blue Skies, Rutledge, GA

Family  #1:
“Thank you so much!  This was our first time.  We were so impressed by the caring a professional staff. He had a blast!”  

Family #2:
“After the first day of camp, he texted, ‘It is awesome.’”
(His mom let the whole family know about the text and the words because it is unusual for him to be excited about anything.)
“He talks about all the new experiences that he had with excitement and pride. I think he felt a sense of accomplishment with each activity.” 

Family #3
“Hi there! Camp Blue Skies’ week-long residential camping experience makes a big difference in our son’s life.  From the moment he gets to camp, he demonstrates his independence by unpacking his toiletries, making his bed, hanging up his coats and laundry bag and even putting his slippers under the bed. He thrives on the routines and schedules at camp and is excited to tell me about it on the way home from camp. His favorite things at camp are hanging out with his cabin mates, the Giant Swing, ziplining, and the dance! We love that we can count on a well-organized, safe, and fun residential camping experience for him. We appreciate the respite time as his caregivers as well.” 

Family #4
“The impact on my daughter of attending Camp Blue Skies is receiving a total acceptance of her disabilities in a comfortable, loving, and fun-filled atmosphere. She is in a group where every else is similar to her and she doesn’t have to tell people she has special needs when she introduces herself to someone new. Everyone has special needs! She can just relax and enjoy herself with all of the activities that are offered. She comes away from camp with more self-confidence and better social skills.”

As her parent/caregiver, I use that time to do something fun for myself. As I leave the campground after checking her in, I find myself taking those deep, cleansing breaths knowing that she is in the capable hands of people who not only care about her but will address any matters that may come up. This is a great relief for me, as it allows time for me to really be able to take a step back and step away to re-energize.

Thank you to the Be Like Tom organization to support Camp Blue Skies and to campers like my daughter.”