Camp LIFE

video transcript: PDF version or Word version

 

LIFE— it stands for Leadership, Independence and Friends through Experiences, and it’s what embodies the spirit of Camp LIFE, a unique camping adventure for children with disabilities.

 

Held twice a year in Burton, Texas at the accessible facilities of Camp For All, Camp LIFE provides recreation for special needs children and their siblings while offering a weekend of respite for their parents.

History

As the brainchild of Texas A&M student Sterling Leija, Camp LIFE was founded in 2004 with the support of Dr. Amy Sharp, FSN director.

Counselor and Camper Interaction

Many of the Camp’s counselors are preservice special education students at A&M, who appreciate the rare experience of spending a weekend with children like those they will be teaching one day in their own classrooms. A one-to-one counselor to camper ratio ensures that each camper with a disability receives the support he or she needs to fully participate in all activities. Additionally, sibling campers enjoy an extra dose of attention not always available to them when their parents are understandably busy caring for their child who has a disability.

Participants

Camp LIFE has been created to promote an inclusive environment for all kids. We accept children with a variety of special needs including, but not limited to, autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, epilepsy, intellectual disabilities, visual impairments, hearing impairments and spina bifida. It is our goal to never turn away a child due to his or her disability. Children with disabilities between the ages of 5 and 21 and their siblings are eligible to attend Camp LIFE.

 

Applications, which are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, are made available online a few months before the camp.

 

Media Coverage

Camp LIFE has recently been covered by local and national news media. Here are links to some of our favorite articles!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Camp

SPRING 2012: April 20-22, 2012

Contact Dr. Amy Sharp, Director of the Family Support Network, at 979.845.4612 or sharp@tamu.edu.

Campers

Camper applications are available now. Please download the Camper Application. Applications are accepted until camp is full with new campers given priority. Refunds for cancellation will be given up to two weeks before camp. Camp t-shirts are guaranteed for applications received anytime up to two weeks before camp. Please sign up for the FSN Newsletter for the latest information.

Counselors

Counselor applications are available now. Please download the Counselor application. Applications are accepted until all positions are filled. A completed application and all references must be submitted for consideration. Mandatory staff training will be held on campus at Rudder Rm 701 at Texas A&M University on April 15, 2012 from 2:30-6:00p.m. Counselors MUST arrive on time to have access to the building.

 

To be notified when Camp LIFE applications are available, please sign up for the FSN newsletter.

 

Camping Activities

Get ready for a big adventure while at Camp LIFE, where the accessible and barrier-free environment enables campers to engage in many exciting activities, including:

  • horseback riding
  • ropes course
  • climbing wall
  • petting zoo
  • swimming
  • canoeing
  • fishing
  • dancing
  • zip line
  • nature classes
  • biking
  • sports
  • archery
  • crafts
  • making s’mores
  • and much more!