As the summer season draws near, parents everywhere become consumed with the annual ritual of finding suitable activities to keep their children busy. This can be a grueling endeavor that involves carefully sifting through programs to make sure they offer enrichment and not just glorified babysitting. There are budgetary considerations as well as schedule coordination for the whole family. Add a child or adult with disabilities to this equation and the process can make heads spin.
Fortunately, there is an excellent alternative for Central Florida families with children and adults with physical and behavioral challenges associated with Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and other developmental conditions. For almost 50 years, Camp Thunderbird, located in Apopka, has offered these individuals opportunities to relax and learn through immersion in the arts, music, drama, sports and nature walks, among other activities. Above all, the camp provides the ideal environment to make lasting, happy memories in a safe and nurturing environment.
Camp Thunderbird is part of the Quest, Inc. family, a nonprofit supporting Central Floridians with developmental disabilities by offering choices and opportunities to live, learn, work and play. “Because of the challenges individuals with disabilities face, it is hard to find services for them in the community,” said John Gill, president of Quest, Inc. “We seek to fill that void hat with a camp focused 100 percent on them, in which they are the stars. For some of our guests, it is their most favorite week of the year. It is something they look forward to all year long.”
Since its opening in 1969, Camp Thunderbird gets plenty of repeat guests. Tammy Boucher is one of them. Born visually impaired and with cerebral palsy, Tammy looks forward to Camp Thunderbird all year long to reconnect with friends, enjoy nature and have fun. To help pay for camp, she became an entrepreneur by launching her own business selling bracelets and necklaces that she makes.
“Camp is where I thrive,” Tammy said. “I like going swimming, I like doing art, I like drawing. I can do all these things and many others in camp because even though I have CP [cerebral palsy], it doesn’t have me.”
The summer camp, which benefits more than 500 campers every year, is divided into various six- and 12-day overnight sessions for adults 18 and over. Inclusion week, on July 15-20, places together typical children ages 7-17 with children with disabilities in the same age range. Many siblings attend together for an opportunity to develop a stronger bond. Additionally, this affords parents and guardians a break from the demands of 24-hour caregiving.
“Some of our parents take the opportunity to go on a vacation, knowing that their children are in a safe, caring environment,” Gill said. “For many of them, it is the only chance to go away for a few days and recharge batteries.”
Quest, Inc., which is the largest nonprofit service provider to individuals with developmental disabilities in Central Florida, recently opened Quest Village, an independent living complex in east Orlando for adults with disabilities. There are units available.
For a complete calendar of Camp Thunderbird sessions, information on costs and how to apply, visit http://www.questinc.org/play.html. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
