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YourHub.com \\ Sebastian \\ Stories \\ Non-profit Organizations \\ Charities

HANDICAPPED KIDS NEED YOUR HELP!!

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Contributed by: Charles Smits on 1/25/2008

The Florida Lions Camp(FLC) for handicapped children is presently struggling to meet their financial requirements and may be forced to close if additional funds cannot be found. The FLC for handicapped children has been in operation since 1974. They have been accredited by the American Camping Association since 1998. They are visited by ACA and re-accredited every 3 years. They keep abreast of ACA standards between visits and the Executive Director has served on the board for ACA and the advisory board of Camp America with expertise in camping for populations with special needs. FLC is also monitored by the local Health Department.

The camp is a 501(c)(3) facility and so all contributions are tax deductible to contributors.

Here is some background information about the Camp:

The Florida Lions Camp accepts campers with severe disabilities complicated by medical complications and/or behavior problems. Here is a description of their programs.

Summer Camp Programs - FLC holds 10 summer camp sessions - each one week long. They expose campers with special needs to the same kind of summer camp experience that children all over the USA participate in each summer. They offer typical activities such as swimming, boating, sports & games, arts & crafts, music & drama, team building, etc. The philosophy is that everyone can participate in every activity at some level. FLC tries to "level the playing field" by adaptation to allow everyone an opportunity to compete at the level he/she is comfortable with. Last year, they served 607 campers in their summer program. They serve campers with special needs, from all over Florida, whose families could not afford even the minimal $350 fee for a week-long camp session. The actual cost to provide this service is $900 per camper, which covers direct care staff at a ratio of 2 campers to every 1 staff member. During their time at camp, these kids are given the opportunity to participate in the same kind of activities kids in summer camps all over the world take for granted. They often have to make adaptations to camp activities due to camper's handicaps, but the focus is on what each camper can do -- what is possible rather than the impossible. The camp accepts handicapped kids from the entire state of Florida. Many have been turned down by other camps or programs. The FLC facility and its programs are specially designed and adapted to handle the many challenges these campers must face. These campers do not have the same choices with regard to summer leisure opportunities as their normal peers.
The FLC counselor to camper ratio is 1:2 and is upgraded to 1:1 when necessary. Many campers are wheelchair bound or require some assistance in mobility. Most require help with daily care including feeding, dressing, toileting, and bathing. All need 24-hour supervision. Because campers are so dependent for their daily needs, it naturally puts a strain on the families and caregivers with which they live. This one-week break gives the parents and caregivers a well-earned rest and allows them time for themselves. The campers also gain valuable experience in self-esteem, social and daily living skills.

In addition to the summer program, FLC holds camping sessions during the rest of the year for adults, and during school breaks, for youth. We also provide respite services, including services for adults suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Respite Care - FLC has begun providing respite care on a need-based schedule - parents/caregivers can schedule this according to their specific needs. Respite typically lasts anywhere from 3 - 10 days. This is a fast growing service because of the great need to provide a break to parents from the 24 hour/day, 365 day/year care a child (or adult) with a special need requires. The strain on marriages, or other family relationships, in households with family members who suffer a disability is great. Our goal is to provide a safe, comfortable environment for our clients and give families the extra boost they might need to keep a loved one at home.

Off-Season Programs - Currently, FLC has 3 weeks of Christmas Holiday Camp in November/December and 3 weeks of Spring Bash Camp (March/April) scheduled every year. We also hold about 6 long weekend camps, to accommodate school holidays and adults looking for some scheduled leisure activities.

The cost of running such a facility is extremely high. The entire facility is constructed and staffed to serve the handicapped. Its programs are also specially designed and adapted to handle the many challenges handicapped campers must face. A typical expense for the FLC not usually faced by a normal summer camp is the need to have a full-time RN on site 24 hours a day while handicapped campers are present.

Because of a large increase in applicants, the FLC will need to fund a much greater budget this coming year. As stated above, they typically need to hire at least one staff member for every two campers; if they have 600 campers that translates to the need for at least 300 staff. They have continually increased the number of campers served each year. During this same time frame we have stayed within the same budget that was set to accommodate less than 100 campers. FLC refuses no one based on financial ability to pay or level of disability. Therefore, they are desperately reaching out to every available resource in order to continue their mission. That is the purpose of this article.

FLC desperately needs your help. If you want to help keep the camp in operation, mail your contributions to the address below. Make checks payable to the Florida Lions Camp. Any and all contributions will be gratefully appreciated.

If you would like additional information prior to making a contribution, or if you would like a tour of our facilities and further elaboration of out programs. Please feel free to contact the camp director at:

Florida Lions Camp
2819 Tiger Lake Road
Lake Wales, Fl 33898
phone (863) 696-1948
Fax (863) 696-2398
or
e-mail: bjcage@hotmail.com In addition, you may visit our web site at http://www.lionscampfl.org

Thank you for your time and hopefully, your contribution. Sincerely, Charles Smits, President, Sebastian Lions Club.

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