| LOVE ALL THE CHILDREN
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| BY CAROLEE MICHENER
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| "If we can teach one kid to tie his shoes, this will free his mother to spend more time with the rest of her family." These
are the words of Mrs. Clifford (Annabel) Bollinger as she explains one of the aims of Camp Cornplanter.
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| But this is only one of the goals. The main objective is to provide the pleasures of real camping
experiences for the mentally retarded. It is hoped that in the process they will develop some new skill; that by being encouraged to do
things for themselves they will find some new abilities.
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| Mrs. B., as she is affectionately called by all the staff, works diligently to promote these ideals among
all the counselors and programmers - many of whom change every year.
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| She understands retardation, the children and the family's situation. She knows that frequently a mother
will do things for her child because she loves him and also this is the quickest and easiest way to get things done.
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| So, when Mrs. B. sees a child that has the potential of tying his shoes, this may be the project for the
summer. If he is at camp for one week or eight weeks, he has a good chance of going home with a new skill. If not this year then perhaps
next year.
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| "Hurry up", are forbidden words at camp. No counselor may ever prod a child into hurrying beyond his
capacity - those annoying words are taboo.
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| Mrs. B. , whose home is in North Warren, is the backbone behind Camp Cornplanter. Headquarters for the
camp are in Warren and the location is deep in the heart of the Allegheny National Forest, near Ludlow.
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| The Bollingers have a son who is a resident of Polk State School and Hospital and they are deeply devoted
to the cause of helping the retarded. They give much above and beyond what anyone would call duty. One week this summer the camp became
overcrowded - so it was the Bollingers who moved out of their bed to the floor, providing room for extra people.
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| As Mrs. B. travels around camp, she is the chief picker-upper; and her sharp eye spots anything
amiss. "There must be a spring here because the ground is damp all the time even in dry weather". She states, and gives instructions to
put some lime on the area.
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| She loves the camp and the solidly built structures which are ideal for the young campers. The cabins
are all on hills in a semi-circle around the office, dining and swimming room areas. But the hills help build stamina, develop leg muscles
and coordination. If help is essential, the staff can give it, but otherwise the boys and girls have a chance to meet the challenges on their own.
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| Mrs. B. is greeted with a profusion of questions throughout the camp and there is no doubt that she sets
the pace and the theme for each work day. She delights in her staff and encourages their creativity and ingenuity. She instructs, informs,
guides, but more important, she loves all the children and this is what she asks of the staff.
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