Summer Camps: A Camp For Every Child

For most kids, summertime is a time of freedom, playing outside, running around the park, swimming in the pool.

But for a child with a severe disability, summer can be a time of limitations. Swimming in a pool can be challenging when you sit in a wheelchair, and running around a park can be daunting when you have autism.

Fortunately, there are camps in the Bluegrass that are all about making summer fun for kids with disabilities of all kinds.

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Lex. Parks and Recreation Offers Therapeutic Camps

The Therapeutic Recreation Program, offered by the Lexington Parks and Recreation Department, offers camps for those aged 5 to 21 with a wide range of mental and physical disabilities including cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome and others.

“Many of these kids don’t have any other options for camp,” says Brent Claiborne, Recreation Program Specialist with Parks & Rec.

The camp, which meets at Castlewood and Woodland parks daily for six weeks each summer, gives exceptional kids a typical summer experience. With an excellent counselor to camper ratio, kids are empowered to make crafts, enjoy the playground and swim in the pools.

The counselors make the camp exceptional, according to Claiborne.
Many of them return year after year, giving the camp a low turnover rate for counselors.

“Our counselors have big hearts, and they really enjoy working with the campers,” he says.

Info: (859) 288-2908. Registration begins on-line on April 12 at www.lexingtonky.gov/index.aspx?page=1018

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Riding for Hope

Central Kentucky Riding for Hope is another program that offers a unique experience for exceptional kids.

Since 1981, this non-profit organization has helped children and adults with a wide range of disabilities improve their balance, strengthen their muscles and develop confidence while learning horsemanship, tacking and riding principles.

In the summertime, CKRH offers a Pony club day camp for elementary school-aged children with disabilities.

The line-up of activities the campers engaged in last year was impressive.

After spending time each day learning about the care of horses, campers were treated to demonstrations from vaulting groups, drill teams, mounted rescue patrols and others.

The kids met the riders and tried out some of the simpler skills.

“We wanted a program that was broadening and educational for our kids,” says Pat Kline, the CKRH executive director.

Another summer program last year brought spina bifida patients from Shriners Hospital for Children with CKRH’s team of miniature horses.

These tiny horses, some no bigger than a large dog, were the perfect size for the kids.

The kids in their wheelchairs and the “minis” teamed up to run relay races to see who could dress up their mini the fastest.

Can’t you just hear the giggles?

“Any time you put kids and horses together you get fun,” says Kline.

Info: www.ckrh.org