CHILDREN :
DISABILITIES :
RECREATION: OUTDOOR: CAMPING:
Camp Confidence
Camp Confidence
Camp Oakhurst in Ocean Township and Camp Excel in Howell provide summer
recreation for the disabled.
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 07/28/06
BY LINDA WALLS
CORRESPONDENT
Asbury Park Press
<http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006607280331>
When Michael Owens goes to summer camp "it's a blessing for him and a
blessing for us," said his dad, Jack Owens, summarizing the goal of the
century-old Camp Oakhurst in Ocean Township.
"Our main purpose is to give family caregivers a break, because these are
kids you can't typically send to spend time with grandma and grandpa,"
said director James Grande. "And, of course, to give the kids the best
summer recreation possible."
Fifteen-year-old Michael has cerebral palsy with spastic quadriplegia,
meaning "everything is done for him; he needs to be fed and he can't stand
by himself," Jack Owens said. Michael has been attending the sleepover
camp for four years, enabling all members of the Farmingdale family
parents Jack and Linda Owens and his three siblings, ages 2, 4 and 20, to
take occasional vacations as well. This year, parts of the family are
heading for California, others to the Carolinas. Sometimes the entire
family travels intact.
Still, Michael looks forward to attending Camp Oakhurst all year, his dad
said. "A month before it starts, that's all he's talking about." And when
parents visit on weekends, Owens suspects Michael "can't wait for us to
leave."
Michael enjoys all the traditional camp activities swimming, crafts,
cooking, music and theater and especially the camaraderie with counselors
and fellow campers. They remain in touch some of the counselors are from
India and Mexico and at least half of the facility's campers are from New
York through e-mail.
"He has the use of his left hand and there's nothing he can't do on the
computer with that hand," Owens said.
Jeremy Cohn, 16, became an annual Camp Oakhurst summer camper at the age
of 9 and was joined three years ago by his sister, Erica, now 20. Their
mom, Margie Cohn, said the trek to the Jersey Shore from their home in the
Bronx is "all worth it, because of the magnitude of happiness the children
get in just being there."
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The complete article may be read at the URL above.
Thanks to Dennis M. Linsky, frequent contributor to the Philly_Traction
Philadelphia transit discussion group for privately sending me this link.
Sincerely,
David Dillard
Temple University
(215) 204 - 4584
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