August 22, 2001

ARC camp provides plenty of action

67 attend annual weekend camp out

By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
       From archery to swimming to campfires, people with special needs got a taste of summer camp this weekend courtesy of the ARC, Grand Traverse.
      In keeping with the ARC's philosophy of providing opportunities to people with developmental disabilities and other disabilities, the summer camp brought 67 campers from around the region to the Lake Ann Baptist Camp.
      From check-in Friday afternoon to good-byes on Sunday, campers immersed themselves in a weekend of typical camp life, complete with s'mores, sun screen and sudden thunderstorms.
      "Our goal is to create the same opportunities that other camps have," said Gloria Taylor, social director and the camp director for the ARC. "We limit some what we do because of disabilities, but do offer archery, golf and basketball. Floor hockey is real popular."
      Taylor's older daughter has Down's Syndrome and regularly attends the camp. In addition, her younger daughter and husband volunteer every year as chaperones.
      "I know my daughter looks forward to it so much," she added.
      Although a veteran of other summer camps, spending a weekend at the ARC camp is a treat for Matt Moritz of Traverse City. By the time the rain hit Saturday afternoon, Moritz had already put in time on the driving range and the putt-putt green and was looking forward to an evening of karaoke.
      For Moritz, 21, camps like this provide a time to relax and enjoy a variety of activities that are not a regular part of his daily life.
      "I love camps, they give me a sense of adventure," said Moritz, attending the ARC camp for his second year. "I just love whoever puts this together and all the people who care. It is a blessing to have all the people we have here today."
      Sports are the be all and end all of summer camp for Larry Cook of Traverse City, another ARC camp fan.
      "I like this camp because we play sports," Cook said. "One of my favorite things is the nice cool air and I also like baseball."
      The ARC has held their summer camp at the Lake Ann Baptist Camp for the past four years, enjoying all the facilities it has to offer. In addition to sports or crafts, camp organizers scheduled a pontoon boat ride; evening campfires, group dining and as much time in nature as possible.
      "These campers really enjoy this, they may have to travel a long way to do this otherwise because locally this is it," said Fred Hoxie, executive director of the ARC. "We were told by some of our older campers that they had never done these things before."
      Thirty volunteers help out during the weekend to make the camp happen, many family members of a disabled person. The ARC provides a ratio of one helper for every three campers during the day and one for every five campers at night; a very intensive schedule that keeps everyone busy. Camp staff and volunteers supervise the campers' varied medical and mobility needs.
      Chris Woods of Traverse City has been a volunteer at the ARC camp for four years; this year his girlfriend is coming along to help as well. Woods said he was born into the role because his parents founded Camp Roy-El, which used to be based at Twin Lakes Camp.
      "I just like working with developmentally disabled, being able to give something back to the community," he said.
      Woods noted that the excitement runs high among campers throughout the weekend, even at night after the cabin lights are out.
      "They do eventually get to sleep, though there is usually one person up at all times during the night," he said.