About Camp I Am Special

For 30 years, our mission has been built on Four Pillars of Service:

• To provide a 6-day, traditional and recreational overnight camp experience for children, teenagers, and young adults challenged by physical, emotional and mental disabilities. The campers in our programs are able to enjoy all of the fun and traditions of a recreational camp, from sleeping in our bunkhouses, and dining and singing in our Social Hall, to participating in mail call and art projects in our Pavilion, to Cane Pole fishing on our dock, and swimming in our pool. Plus, Camp I Am Special creates new traditions! Each week we feature a Special Event, like a horse drawn carriage ride through our nearly hundred acres of private riverfront property, or an interactive petting zoo with animal performances, or watching a school marching band play on our Outdoor Stage! Campers are able to experience these traditions and activities because of our Buddy and Group Leader Programs.

• To provide a challenging and rewarding service opportunity for high school and college students. Our Buddy Program provides 24-hour, one-on-one care and companionship to each camper, so each Buddy participant must be a high school student who has been actively involved in community service and volunteerism, expressed an interest in serving the needs of persons with disabilities, and has successfully completed our screening, training, and testing requirements. Our Group Leader Program provides extensive and effective, hands-on leadership and supervision for our buddies and their campers, so each Group Leader participant must be enrolled in college, have a minimum of three years experience as a Buddy, and is CPR, First Aid, Lifeguard Rescue, and Professional Crisis Management (PCM) Certified.

• To provide a deserving respite for families and caregivers of persons challenged by physical, emotional and mental disabilities. For most camper families and care-givers, these six days often are the only days of respite they have each year. The environment we provide is one that family members feel assured of their campers well being. This level of comfort allows for the true rest and relaxation they deserve.

• To promote the charitable mission of the Church by encouraging the stewardship of persons, both lay and religious, from our Diocese and its Parishes. Camp I Am Special provides many opportunities for charitable gifts of time, talent, and resources.Whether you are Catholic or not, anyone who wishes to be involved in our programs by providing financial support, services and supplies, and the giving of their time as a volunteer is welcomed.

The Camp I Am Special Mission

• We also share in the mission of the Church to reflect the compassion and love of God in Christ, by providing persons with disabilities the opportunities to know, love and serve God based on the value and dignity of human life.