Kamp Director

Here at Kamp Kiwanis we serve economically disadvantaged youth, this is something that most Kiwanians are aware of.
Kiwanians like you give service, time and considerable amounts of money to provide an experience for those who otherwise would not be able to afford it. For the week a child is at Kamp they have the opportunity that millions of their peers take for granted and get to learn and grow in an environment away from home.
What is not as well known is that Kamp Kiwanis provides an opportunity for scores of campers each summer that have been asked to leave, removed or not allowed to attend other camps. Often these campers are denied a camp opportunity due to negative behaviors. These children have learned these behaviors in negative environments where they often have not been provided the structure, boundaries or education to know any better. Often these campers have experienced parental substance abuse, abuse, neglect, trauma and violence in their communities. Many of these children are those born with diagnosable disorders such as ADHD, Bi-polar Disorder, Conduct Disorder and ODD amongst many others through no fault of their own.
These diagnoses and behaviors for many facilities are unmanageable and exclude these children from having the opportunities that are out there. Here at Kamp we don't believe it is fair for a child who has never been taught how to behave to be excluded from an experience where they may in fact learn the valuable skills that will enable them to behave and succeed.
Kamp Kiwanis is considered one of the leading camps within New York State for children with behavioral issues. Here we work hard at main streaming those whose behaviors are outside the norm and teaching them to make choices that can positively affect them for years to come. We have had great success over the years helping campers learn a more productive way of living that will lead them away from negativity and the ramifications of that.
With the amazing work and generosity of the Kiwanians in New York we have been able to teach children who have been labeled un-teachable and give them the access to people, programming and skills that can help them to flourish in their homes, schools and communities. Kamp provides a way to learn that there better alternatives and that good behaviors and future success are a choice.
At your Kamp, Kamp Kiwanis we work with those who need that additional help but will ultimately benefit the most. Thank you for everything you do it can change lives.

 

Column Posted on Web Site July 26, 2014