Camp ASCCA Journal - Therapeutic Recreation

Hey, my name is Matt Rickman. I have the privilege of being the camp director here at Easter Seals Camp ASCCA. I am glad to have the opportunity to tell you a little bit more about who I am…

I began my ASCCA career in the spring of 1998 (I was just a lowly intern :-)). I was finishing my Bachelor of Science in recreation with emphasis in therapeutics. My first impression of Camp ASCCA was amazing! I thought the facility and staff were top notch. I was immediately proud to be a part of such an organization (I hadn’t even met the campers yet). Once I worked with my first group of campers, I was completely hooked. I knew I wanted to do this type of work for the rest of life. When my internship ended, I was hired to work in Tuscaloosa for their recreation department. By chance, a full-time position opened up back at Camp ASCCA, which I was able to obtain.

I started full time at Camp ASCCA in January 1999, as the outdoor adventure director. To make things even better, the camp hired my wife Dana as director of public affairs and development shortly after I started. My first five years of camp were great. I was able to learn so much from Jerry Bynum (administrator, 1977-2003), Tom Collier (director, 1978 – 2003) and especially Dan Gilliland (program director, 1992-2004). I was very lucky to have people like them to work with and learn from all of their camp experience. Next, I was promoted to camp director in May of 2004.

As my job duties have changed over the years, so have the things I enjoy most about camp. First and foremost it will always be the campers that make this job so wonderful. To see the smiles and tears, to hear the laughter, the stories, the conversations, the sincere “thank yous” that we as staff members receive; these are the things that make this job so special. In my new role as camp director, I have gotten to know the campers’ parents better, which has made me look at things in a different way. As a parent myself, I have a better understanding about the huge responsibility that my staff and I have. I understand that we must do everything we can to ensure our campers’ safety and to make sure they have one of the best times of their lives. Another difference is that I get to watch my staff evolve: emotionally, mentally and spiritually. I get to see these young college students truly bond with their campers and talk about how camp has made them a better person. It is all extraordinary to witness.

I have been very blessed both personally and professionally by Camp ASCCA.

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