| CAMP IS HELPING AREA’S RETARDED CHILDREN
FIND BETTER LIFE ADJUSTMENT
|
| Noel Dodd in Warren Times - MIRROR August 1, 1962
|
| "Slow or limited intellectual development, emotional development, or, in academic progress."
|
| This, according to the dictionary, is the definition of a retarded child but to 100 boys and girls presently
occupying the Camp Cornplanter Inc. site, they are merely words.
|
| A 12 year old boy, who since arriving at camp has developed more skills and abilities, does not dwell on his
limitations.
|
| The teen age girl, who just days ago entered the camp’s swimming pool for the first time, does not feel limited, but experiences a great
sense of accomplishment.
|
| These 100 boys and girls, who have a minimum age of eight years are, for the most part enjoying a new way of life under the watchful eye
of the camp counselors.
|
| The philosophy of the camp, which is 35 acres of sunny fields in the heart of the Allegheny National Forest, located between Kinzua and
Ludlow, is the development of the individual.
|
| A child at the camp discovers and develops abilities, realizes achievement in a program suited to his abilities, gains confidence,
experiences personality and emotional growth and learns to accept responsibility in group living under skilled leadership.
|
| With a three to one ratio between camper and counselor, individual attention is in abundance. The camp brochure states the staff is
highly qualified to assure skilled leadership and effective programming.
|
| This is only a portion of what they represent. Besides responding to the leadership and programming aspects, they affords an emotional
outlet for the children who, in many instances are away from home for the first time.
|
| Mrs. Annabell Bollinger of North Warren is the camp director. It is her responsibility to see that the physical and emotional needs of the
children are met during their one or two week stay. Assisting her is a staff of 54 persons.
|
| The camp, which was originally constructed to house underprivileged children, was established four years ago as a pilot program. At that
time, it was supported by the Warren County Chapter for Retarded Children.
|
| However, Mrs. Bollinger explained, organizations from several other counties became interested and the camp became incorporated to pool the
resources of the surrounding areas. The member counties, three from Pennsylvania and three from New York State are Warren, Mercer, Lawrence,
Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany. Senior staff members are college students or graduates. These people, Mrs. Bollinger said, contribute
much to the success of the camp. Realizing the attributes of the senior staff members, Mrs. Bollinger said her junior staff members, high school
students or graduates, are the backbone of the outfit.
|
| On duty 24 hours per day, these young men and women, often times not much older than some of the campers, guide, comfort and lead the
children under their care.
|
| Located on land leased from the Allegheny National Forest Service, the camp, when first started, was considered a pilot project.
|
| From all indications the project is a complete success. More and more of the children return each year with the facilities being
filled to capacity in the month long session. Organizations from surrounding states request information in detail about the unique camp.
|
| This was not always the case. In any new project difficulties are encountered in the beginning. "Many of the parents were reluctant to
leave their children when the camp first opened," the director said.
|
| Today, she continued, the situation is different. Often parents will come to pick up their children after only a week to find that their
child wishes to remain another week.
|
| "The success of the camp," the director said, "is based on the abilities of the children and not on their disabilities." Many of the
children, when not at camp, never come in contact with children of similar abilities, consequently withdrawing, she said.
|
| However, at camp, they play in groups, and, in attempting to stay with the group, find them selves developing new skills she remarked.
The campers are diversified in social and economic backgrounds. In this situation, probably less than in any other, prejudices don't exist.
|
| Dr. L. J. Borger of Warren is the camp's medical director. Every Sunday during the camping season, the doctor visits the camp to check
each child before he or she is admitted. In addition, he answers any emergency calls which may arise during the week.
|
| Adjustment problems are sometimes encountered during the first days, the director said, but usually after several days, the children
become involved to the fullest, in camp activities.
|
| Activities, which are under the direction of James Sybert, camp program director, include physical activities- softball, hiking, swimming
and playground. Mrs. Edith O'Hara coaches the children in creative dramatics.
|
| Facilities at the camp include a 25 by 75 foot filtered swimming pool, eight cabins, combination dining room and kitchen, infirmary with a
six bed ward and dispensary, combination crafts and shower structure, three wash houses, a ball field, playground and campfire circle.
|
| Besides being grouped by mental ability, all children with additional handicaps, such as defective vision or hearing or heart trouble, are
housed in the same cabin.
|
| Many organizations can take pride in assuring the success of the camp but according to Mrs. Bollinger, the Allegheny National Forest and
the Warren Kiwanis Club have helped and cooperated to the fullest.
|
| What does the future hold for this unique camp located in the heart in the Allegheny National Forest? Expansion of service and the
expansion of facilities seem to be the desires.
|
| Mrs. Bollinger said the camping season would probably be increased to six weeks and then eight weeks some time in the future.
|
| In this treasure house of nature, hundreds of retarded children romp in the sun for one month each summer, and judging by their appearance
and attitude they seem to like it.
|