Safe. Fun. Accessible.
Creating an amazing, inclusive experience
By Jack Lightbody
Photos: Arrowhead Bible Camp
Why stop at “great” when you can have “amazing”? For 58 years, Shepherds Camp in Brackney, Penn., has provided an overnight camp program exclusively for teens and adults with developmental disabilities. Each summer, more than 300 people between the ages of 13 and 96 with varying levels of ability attend. Because the camp is serving people with disabilities—especially some who are older—camper mobility becomes a high priority. While the programming and equipment have always been great, in the last few years we have been able to make measured improvements to the activities and grounds to ensure the camp experience is available to everyone, particularly campers who use wheelchairs. Steps have been taken to make accessible activities better, to go the extra mile, and to truly make camp an amazing experience for everyone.
Exercise In Disguise (No One Notices Because It’s So Fun!)
The pedal carts are one of the most requested activities at camp. They’re a great opportunity for campers to show off their driving skills as they steer through a course. Campers who use wheelchairs are unable to use the pedals, so we reached out to a local business and had a trailer custom built (aptly named the Wheelchariot). Now anyone in a wheelchair can fully participate and feel the excitement of navigating through the cones alongside fellow campers.
It Wouldn’t Be Camp Without Hanging Out At The Lake
We use a six-seater golf cart to shuttle campers to the waterfront. We saw that transferring someone out of a wheelchair and into a golf cart to be an unnecessary obstacle that prevents some campers from enjoying all that camp has to offer. We came up with a solution—a custom-built “limo” with a ramp, and secure straps so campers and their wheelchairs can be safely transported down to the lake. Once campers are at the waterfront, they have several choices available, including taking a boat out on the water. The new pontoon paddle boats are easy to enter and exit, which makes boating an attractive option for many. For the first time, all campers can hit the open water together.
Camp Is A Social Experience
Each summer campers see old friends, make new ones, get to know their counselor, and build social skills. We noticed that, over time, the old swing set became the camp “water cooler,” where staff members and campers spent time hanging out and swinging together. We saw an opportunity and replaced the old swing set with a larger Hex-Swing setup. What was a chance for only a few people to swing is now a place for up to 15 people to spend quality time getting to know each other with wheelchairs alongside. We are also pursuing funding for an Alta Glide, a wheelchair-accessible glider that will provide an inclusive opportunity for everyone to swing together.
Now It’s Your Turn
Camp people are passionate about including everyone, and we hate seeing campers sit on the sidelines. We firmly believe a disability should not exclude anyone from participating, so we encourage and challenge you to innovate in the same way. Think about inclusion before you buy or build the next attraction; think outside the box! How can you take your next great idea and make it amazing? The next time you see a classic camp activity, take a moment to think about how you can adapt it to include all of your campers, current and future.
Jack Lightbody is the program manager for Arrowhead Bible Camp in Brackney, Penn. For more information, visit www.arrowheadbiblecamp.org.
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Sidebar
Camp Basics
Student to Instructor Ratio: There are two different types of sessions that run either in a 5:1 ratio, or 1:1 ratio depending on the care needs of the individual.
Location: Brackney, Penn.
Cost to Attend Camp: Tuition for one week of 5:1 runs $575, and a week of 1:1 is $1,150
Ages: 13-96
Shepherds Camp began in 1962 with just one week of camp. The uniqueness of programming for teens and adults has campers returning year after year. Many campers have been coming to camp for two, three, even four decades. With such a rich and long history, ask any of the campers and they will tell you, “This is my camp!” The camp now offers more than 20 weeks of overnight sessions throughout the year.