Camp Happiness ~ Day Camp for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Camp Happiness is a traditional one-week day camp experience for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities from Niagara County. It is offered at Camp Kenan on Lake Ontario through a collaborative effort of the Lockport Elks Lodge #41, the Lockport Family YMCA and Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara.

A $10,000 grant from the Elks National Foundation provided the impetus for this unique project. Locally, the Lockport Elks Lodge #41 has been a longstanding supporter of Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara and the Lockport Family YMCA. Their interest in the welfare of people with developmental disabilities caused them to pursue this grant establishing this cooperative inter-agency effort for Niagara County’s first and only day camp for young people with developmental disabilities. The recreational activities available as part of this week-long experience offer people with developmental disabilities numerous health and social benefits, as well as a needed respite for their caregivers. For most attendees, this will be their first experience at camp.

The Elks National Foundation funded Camp Happiness from 2008 to 2011, in part, with in-kind services provided by the Lockport Family YMCA and Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara. Sponsorship and leadership donor opportunities are available to businesses, corporations, organizations and individuals interested in helping people ages 10 to 91 with developmental disabilities realize their potential while experiencing five fun-filled days at Camp Happiness. Funding for the 2012 camp is vital to the program.

Families and interested campers should contact James Bronstein,
Director of Vocational and Clinical Services at Opportunities
Unlimited of Niagara at (716) 434-4050.

Special thanks to AES SOMERSET, LLC for their generous donations to Camp Happiness.

During the five days of camp, participants will experience activities such as hiking, archery, basketball, soccer, fishing, volleyball, music, a rock climbing wall, horticulture projects, campfire time and arts and crafts. Additionally, a swimming pool and Lake Ontario waterfront will enable campers to enjoy swimming, boating and other aquatic activities. Lunch, snacks, prizes and transportation to and from central locations across Niagara County will also be provided.

Camp activities will be available and accessible to all participants, and campers will be divided into age and/or ability-appropriate groups. Programming will be conducted by specially-trained YMCA staff and experienced Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara employees. Trained Elks Lodge #41 and community volunteers will also be on hand to assist with camp operations and activities.

Opportunities Unlimited, Elks Lodge #41 and the Lockport YMCA and Camp Kenan

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