May 26, 2015 – Summertime can present challenges for families looking to give children with special needs the same summer camp experience that other children might have. Fortunately, a special camp serving Southeast Michigan has set out to change that.
In partnership with the YMCA, Camp Blue Sky offers summer day camp for individuals with special needs, allowing them the opportunity to make new friends, explore the outdoors and develop independence. Modified for the individual needs of high functioning special needs campers, Camp Blue Sky encourages campers to try new things, but only if campers are comfortable doing so. Activities at camp include rock wall climbing, zip lining, archery, outdoor exploration and more.
“This is an authentic summer camp program,” said Darlene Garrison, Director of Camp Blue Sky. “Many parents who have a child with special needs and a typical child usually have to send them to two different camps, but here they get to send them to the same facility but they get to have their own experiences.”
Camp Blue Sky is a fully accredited camp with staff comprised of educators that work with kids with special needs year round. Because it is licensed by the State of Michigan, Camp Blue Sky is able to work with many agencies and organizations to assist with funding for campers to come to camp.
Campers ages 7 to 16 attend summer day camp at the YMCA’s Camp Ohiyesa in Holly, and campers ages 17 and older experience the Travel Adult Adventure Camp, which is based at the Birmingham Family YMCA and is designed to provide a stimulating real-world experience with field trips all over Metro Detroit.
“With our staff being paraeducators and teachers, we are able to meet the needs of many different disabilities,” Darlene said. “We do an in-home visit to get to know the camper and parent and for the parent and potential camper to get to know us. It gives the camper a connection before coming to camp and lets us know what accommodations may need to be put into place before arriving. Connections with our campers and families are very important to us.”
“Camp Blue Sky creates the opportunity for kids and adults with special needs the ‘magic’ that a true outdoor summer camp provides,” Darlene said.
For more information on Camp Blue Sky, visit www.campbluesky.net.