Why Should I Send My Child To Camp Wannaklot Instead Of “Regular” Camp?

Horizons in Hemophilia, April 2012

By Kim Wilson, Camp and Activities Coordinator

Camp Wannaklot, a week-long residential summer camp, is the only camp in Georgia that provides children who have hemophilia or other inherited bleeding disorders the opportunity to enjoy a traditional camp experience.  During this fun-filled week, campers make new friends, learn about their bleeding disorders, and share new experiences.  As the director of Camp Wannaklot, some parents have expressed concern to me about sending their child to a “special needs” camp such as Camp Wannaklot instead of helping them fit in to a “regular” camp that serves all children. 

The camp experience offers an amazing opportunity for your child to develop lifelong friendships and gain self-confidence by trying new things such as riding a horse or climbing to the top of the climbing wall, just to name a few.  At Camp Wannaklot, we offer the added bonus of helping children gain independence by teaching them more about their bleeding disorder and how to manage it.  Since bleeding disorders are rare, camp may be one of the only places your child will meet other kids, and even some adult volunteers, who also have a bleeding disorder.

Peg Smith, CEO of the American Camping Association, put it best in her article “Being Kids First—Children with Special Needs and Camp” on the website www.campparents.org. 

“There's something almost hard-wired about human beings—when we repeatedly see the extraordinary, it becomes ordinary. That may be true, except when it comes to the thousands of children who exhibit such great courage and desire when they attend camp. It is during these days and weeks at camp that children who are far too often described as "special needs kids" get to become just kids. Yes, often there are parents and counselors holding their collective breath until there's that first splash in the pool or the swaying walk of a patient horse—all rewarded with that sense of pride and joy on a child's face. These children may have come a long way to get to camp—sometimes in the literal sense—but, regardless of how long the journey, the value of camp is defined by the experience, not these children's special needs.

Camp is a community where all children get to be children first—regardless of their abilities or their limitations. Camp becomes a place of acceptance, of finding other young people whose experiences may be similar—it's about growing up, forming friendships, taking healthy risks, and enjoying the outdoors. Foremost, it's about being a "kid." Whether the experience comes at day camp or overnight camp, when a camp focuses on the needs of a special population, hands down children find a place to be themselves, grow, and transform the word "able" into "able to succeed."

Whether that special camp is right around the corner or miles away, the staff and counselors have been preparing all year to assure that our children have the times of their lives—every summer and for the summers that follow.  So many "firsts" await children and families looking for just the right camp. It could be the taste of independence, that outdoor voice singing the camp song, or the chance to take that horseback ride of their dreams. For families, it may be the peace of mind knowing that their children are experiencing these activities in a safe and healthy environment—now that's the summer they'll remember forever.”

Camp Wannaklot is designed to meet the needs of our campers.  All of the activities offered are adapted with the safety of our campers and injury prevention in mind.  The doctors and nurses your child sees at clinic come to camp and serve as the camp medical staff.  The volunteer camp counselors and the staff at Camp Twin Lakes receive training about bleeding disorders. 

Our camp is designed with your child in mind.  Every summer, campers say things like, “When I am at camp, I can relax and not worry about my medical problems…I see it as a place where you forget your problems and just become a normal kid.” That is what we try to provide for each of our campers--a sense of normalcy, safety, and most of all, fun! 

Camp Wannaklot will be held July 22-27, 2012 at Camp Twin Lakes-Rutledge.  If you are interested in signing your child up for Camp Wannaklot and have not yet done so, please call me at the HoG office at 770-518-8272.