The Jefferson City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department and Special Olympics Missouri are partnering to offer day camps this summer specifically for youth with intellectual disabilities.
Camp Star is the resurgence of an old JC Parks program called Camp Sunshine, which hasn’t been held in many years, said Angie Toebben, camps program manager for the Parks Department.
Toebben said they wanted to bring back the program after hearing a desire for it from the community.
Through the partnership with SOMO, the camp can bring the same benefits of an average day camp — social interaction, increased confidence and independence, activity and exercise — to these children.
James Reinkemeyer, special populations program coordinator for JC Parks, said they hope the camp will bring a sense of community to the children and draw awareness to JC Parks Stars, a sports training program for Jefferson City area residents with intellectual or physical disabilities to compete in Special Olympics Missouri.
Camp Star is designed for youth with special needs, Reinkemeyer said.
“We thought it would be nice to bring that back and let the kids have an experience that other kids do at summer camps, and it’s more designed to their capabilities and disabilities,” Reinkemeyer said.
All of the activities will be designed for the different campers each week, Toebben said.
“It’s going to be a variety of stuff, like a typical day camp. We’re going to try to do as many different things as we can — some crafts, some games, activities. We have to adjust a little bit based on who all is signed up each week and what they can and cannot do,” she said.
This year, the campers will stay at the main location each day, but Toebben said they hope to introduce field trips and other activities, possibly including swimming lessons, in future years.
Five of the six camps will be held at the SOMO Training for Life Campus. The first camp, which takes place June 29 through July 3, will be held at Turkey Creek Golf Course because the SOMO building is not available.
Having the camp at the SOMO campus and having SOMO staff involved will help parents to feel secure leaving their children at the camp, Toebben said. The SOMO nurse will also be nearby if needed, and several JC Parks staffers who will be working have special education experience.
Teenagers participating in the department’s “Counselor in Training” program will also be involved.
Each camp week has a different theme — Olympics, Disney, space, heroes, beach and outdoors, in that order.
The camps are available for youth ages 6-21 with special needs.
The camps will take place each week from June 29 until the week beginning Aug. 3. The first camp is already full, but the five others are still available for sign-ups.
The sign-up fee is $130 for the full week. If needed, there is a deferred payment option with a $25 deposit, but you must register in person with JC Parks.
To register, visit the JC Parks website.