Summertime is here and school is out! Family vacations are planned for some, camp programs are attended by some and “hanging” with friends at the local pool occur for some!

26 years ago, a group of parents realized their children who had a variety of disabilities did not have a summer program to attend in the Lancaster area. Aaron’s Acres was established to meet their children’s needs.

For the summer of 2024, we have 3 two-week sessions of camp for individuals between the ages of 5-21 with varying abilities and disabilities. Our first session of camp began on June 17 and ended on June 28. Our 2^nd session of camp began this past Monday, July 8 and will end on July 19. Our 3^rd session of camp begins on July 22 and ends on Aug. 2. Swimming, therapeutic horseback riding, music therapy, group games, crafts, visits with snakes, a petting zoo, fire trucks, a magician and a ventriloquist all take place during each 2 -week session of camp!

Smiles can be seen, and laughter can be heard from the campers along with the staff all day! To see a camper who has never been on a horse, ride a horse for the first time is the most incredible sight. His anxious look turns into a proud smile as he goes around the arena on the horse! Pictures are taken and staff make sure that they are sent to mom and dad so they can see what occurred at camp that day! Campers and staff cheer for each participant and high fives are given at the end of this outing to celebrate each rider’s accomplishment. 

At Aaron’s Acres, we believe every child can participate in every activity; we just have to be creative in implementing modifications and accommodations for each child to be supported and safe. It is very rare for a camper at Aaron’s Acres to be sitting on the sidelines, just observing the activity. Our goal is to have every child partake in every activity, even if it is only for a short time.

Camp is a time for all families to take a break from their rigorous schedules that they keep during the school year—with going to and from school, outside appointments, extracurricular activities, and other commitments that they might have. It is a time to recharge and maybe breathe a bit slower. It can also be a time to create family memories through outings, community activities, family and friend gatherings, etc.  or families who are raising children with disabilities, that need for a break and a need to recharge might be more intense.  So many of our families have shared with us that prior to attending Aaron’s Acres, they did not have that type of summer. However, now families who are attending our programs report that they have the opportunity to recharge and breathe a bit slower. They also know that their children are creating memories that result in smiles for the entire family.  Parents who are dropping their children off at camp express happiness in that their children are excited to go to camp—this doesn’t happen during the school year. Their children are dressed by 6:00 am and saying “camp, camp”. Those two words have such a powerful impact on the parent’s mental health—knowing that their child is happy and relaxed—not anxious and upset while attend camp at Aaron’s Acres. 

So, camp is a place that has a positive impact on the child who has a disability along with the familial unit. Our hope is that the positive experiences and happy memories will remain with each family member, especially during the school year when they might face some challenging times. In this way, we hope that those more difficult times won’t feel as overwhelming to them—remembering the picture of their child going down the inflatable slide at our carnival will still bring a smile to their face!

Here’s to another 3 weeks of camp with a ton more smiles!