Camp Enables Children with Special Needs to Succeed

Friday marked the end of another successful and inspirational summer at Camp AIM.

Just like any other summer camp, participants had the opportunity to explore interests, learn skills and make friends.

However, the campers at Camp AIM are special, and their participation is vital, according to Camp AIM board member Greg Englemeyer.

"If it wasn't for this camp, there would be more than 100 kids home-bound in the summer," Englemeyer said. "It benefits the kids and families and provides a bridge between school years."

Camp AIM helps children who live with various disabilities retain the information they learned during the school year and aids in their preparation for the upcoming school year.

Campers range in age and ability. Many of the children live with autism, others have physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy or emotional challenges including ADHD.

"These guys can do a lot more than you think," said Dennis Aitken, life skills/adapted physical education director at Camp AIM.

Dylan, a 13-year-old camper, is unable to speak, but he used his DynaVox to tell camp guests that he likes swimming, art, the zoo...and girls!

Aitken further demonstrated his campers' abilities by having some of the boys in wheelchairs get up and walk across the gym with the help of two supervisors.

"They get a chance to socialize and know they're not being judged. And it's a safe place and keeps them educated," said Megan Walsh, a camp counselor at Camp AIM and a Slippery Rock Universitystudent who hopes to pursue a career in special education.

Walsh, other counselors and an administrative staff consisting of individuals who have been with Camp AIM for an average of 15 years, plan music, art, home economics, gym and swimming activities during the six weeks of camp for the children and young adults.

There is even a talent show and a prom every summer, complete with a dance party and limos.

But most campers said it was the time in the pool that they enjoyed the most.

"A lot of the kids don't get to take swimming lessons so we teach them as much as we can," said Paulette Colonna, program supervisor of Camp AIM. "We have some kids who will show no focus on land, but when they get into water they feel like they have the ability to do anything."

Participants leave Camp AIM with critical life skills, and many of the camp counselors said they learn just as much as the campers do.

"It's funny how much you can learn from the campers," Walsh said. "They teach you how to find the humor in things, how to speak your mind, how to be yourself and how to unconditionally love."

"It gets in your heart, as you can tell," said Mike Lloyd, who has spent much of his summer  in . 

"It's a labor of love," he said.

And although another camp session has ended, the memories and relationships will live on forever.

"There's not a week that goes by throughout the year that I don't think about my girls," Walsh said. 

Camp AIM is organized by the  located in Upper St. Clair. Click here to learn how you can donate to the program.

Related Topics: , , , , ,, and