Camp ASCCA Journal - Therapeutic Recreation

About 25 years ago, I first came to Camp ASCCA as a counselor. That was the best decision of my life. No other experience has done more to shape me in all the right ways. I actually feel like I never left.

My first campers? Robbie, Vinnie and Fred. I wrote about this in the ASCCA Alumni Forums on our site. You can write about yours there, too.

I think every counselor remembers their first campers with special fondness. Robbie and Vinnie came to ASCCA from a full care hospital for children with profound disabilities. They both had cerebral palsy and profound mental retardation. At first, I didn’t quite know how the week would go. But, we went canoeing, horseback riding, hoisted up in the 30 foot high treehouse - and more. I fed, dressed and cared for Robbie and Vinnie.  It was a true learning experience - for me.
What did I learn? Even children with the most profound disabilities can appreciate and enjoy the cool lake water on their hands and feet. They can get in the pool and smiles appear. They can appreciate the movement (and smell) of a huge horse. I want everyone to learn those lessons, too.

Later, I would become the first director of public relations. Camp has come a long way in those 25 years and now we want to join the “new media” generation online. I actually launched the first Camp ASCCA site, purchased the domain name and gave it to camp. Ever since then, I have wanted to develop a better online presence for all the campers, counselors, volunteers, parents and others that love it so much.

I teach at Auburn University and speak on PR Tech issues around the country. And, now I help out part-time at Camp ASCCA developing this new Web presence. This site has been a little dream of mine for camp ever since I bought the domain name and gave it camp a long time ago.

My students, over the years, have worked on several projects for ASCCA before I ever came back to help on this site. Guess I was destined to return one day.

This site launches a new communication channel through dynamic publishing. Visit this post in the ASCCA Newsroom for the details about the site. Galleries, blogs, forums and more are waiting for you.

Our site enables conversations. You may visit this site - our camp journal - as often as you like and post your comments. Let us know who you are, where you are, and what you want to know about camp. Help us grow and adapt to the new world around us.

We will communicate with parents, counselors, rehabilitation professionals, journalists, opinion leaders, volunteers and - of course - campers. It should be fun. Join us and begin commenting on the articles. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please contact us.

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