The minute a camper arrives at Special Friends Day Camp, they are celebrated — the way we all wish we were — with unabashed enthusiasm and acceptance. Lines of campers and “buddies” form on either side and cheer the arrival of every camper. Every day starts off with a celebration.

Summer can’t come soon enough for these Special Friends day campers. Special Friends Day Camp is for special needs adults ages 15 and up. Our campers never age out of the program, and many come back for multiple weeks year after year to see their friends and to have a great time.

Special Friends Camp is all about “fun without limits.” We always try to say “Yes, you can!” and help campers do all the things they want to do at camp.

But we can’t do it without volunteers. We need 45-50 volunteers each week. Would you consider being a “Buddy” (volunteer counselor) for a special needs camper this summer? You can sign up for a single week or for multiple weeks, depending on your schedule. Training takes place on Sunday and Monday each week, and then you spend Tuesday through Friday with your camper.

You are welcome to stay overnight at camp for the week you are volunteering. Accommodations are rustic, but lots of fun! You can even volunteer as a family, or as a group. Counselors need to be at least 15 years old, but we have some support positions for younger volunteers accompanied by an adult.

To sign up, or for more information, please go to the Camp’s Special Friends Camp Volunteer webpage. Or, you can email Jessica Wilson, or call her at (360) 312-3417.