Camp Riley Offers Children With Physical Disabilities A Chance To Learn And Play
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
CROMWELL - Born with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus, Hope and Lacey Collins weighed 1 pound, 6 ounces and 1 pound, 4 ounces and measured only 12 inches at birth.
For the first five months of their lives, they lived in an incubator.
"We couldn't even touch them," said their father, Ron.
Fifteen years later, the twin girls have exceeded doctor's expectations, though they still need round-the-clock care.
"It's non-reversible. It's not going to get any worse," said Ron.
"But it's not going to get any better," said Karmen, the girls' mother.
Ron and Karmen get very few breaks or any time to themselves, except when the twins spend five days in July at Camp Riley for Youth with Physical Disabilities. Sunday, the red-headed teens go back down to Bradford Woods, 20 miles southwest of Indianapolis, for their sixth year.
During their five-day stay at Camp Riley, Indiana University's outdoor recreation center, Hope and Lacey will "explore the environment using their five senses with stimulating activities involving the outdoors, pool, barn, art and the one-of-a-kind 'Sensory Cave'," according to a Riley Children's Foundation press release.
"They have a good time. The counselors are wonderful," said Karmen of Camp Riley.
Ron said the counselors are from universities and colleges all over. "They're just a great bunch of kids doing such good," he said.
"Ron and I don't ever get to go out. With them at camp, we don't have to worry about anything," said Karmen. "... It's a good chance for us to get a break."
"And to sleep," said Ron.
"We take them to camp, check them in," said Karmen.
"We take them to their cabin and go over any changes the girls may have had," said Ron.
Many traditional summer camps cannot accommodate children with physical disabilities. Since 1955, Camp Riley has helped more than 12,000 Hoosier children with physical disabilities gain the self confidence and skills necessary to live their lives to the fullest, according to the press release.
For the five days they are there, Karmen said the girls will experience horseback riding, shows and all kinds of entertainment. Ron said Lacey will get to swim in a pool of spaghetti noodles.
"You wouldn't think Indiana has that many woods. You can't even see the camp. It's like being in the woods of West Virginia," Ron said of the camp location.
"It's like its own little world. Like 'Alice in Wonderland'," said Karmen.Camp Riley will take plenty of photos and document everything, said Karmen. The camp also has a Web site parents can visit to check up on their children, said Ron.
"They're very trustworthy and kind," said Karmen.
"Caring," added Ron. "It's like dropping kids off with a doctor, nurse and helpers. It's like dropping your kids off with Santa."
"It takes a lot to take care for Hope and Lacey, and (the camp) has a lot of other kids. It takes special people to take care of special kids," said Karmen.
The press release states, "Riley Hospital for Children staff ensures all medical needs are met so campers are able to horseback ride, participate in organized sports and experience other traditional camp activities. ... The facility is universally accessible and specially trained counselors - never more than three campers per counselor - help kids do things they have only imagined."
Camp Riley gives youth with physical disabilities the opportunity to experience traditional camping activities in a setting tailored to their individual needs. Campers are empowered to develop independent living skills so they may return home with new confidence.
In 2009, nearly 225 children attended six different Camp Riley sessions during a five-week span. Each Camp Riley session focuses on a different theme, but all include traditional camping activities such as horseback riding, arts and crafts, canoeing, swimming and outdoor games. There are one-week and two-week sessions.
Riley Children's Foundation supports Camp Riley through donations from individuals, businesses, organizations and foundations. Individuals interested in helping provide the Camp Riley experience to Indiana children with the gift of a campership may call 317-634-4474. In-kind contributions, such as blankets, fans, portable CD players, flashlights, arts and crafts supplies and sleeping bags also are welcome.
Donations help support Camp Riley, but there also is a fee paid by campers' families to make the experience possible.
"My stepmom is in a sorority (Epsilon Sigma Alpha) that has done thousands of donations and fundraisers for Camp Riley," said Karmen. "She was the one that introduced us to it, and they sponsor my girls to go. All we have to pay is the $40 registration fee."
Her dad and stepmother help raise money for it, too, she said.
Eligible children 8 to 18 years old can attend one of the six sessions each summer. Camps are held in June and July. Applications for this year were due April 15.
For more information about Camp Riley, visit online at RileyKids.org/Camp, e-mail CampRiley@RileyKids.org or call 877-867-4539.
As Indiana's only comprehensive hospital dedicated exclusively to the care of children, Riley Hospital has provided care, support and comfort to children and their families since 1924.
