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The Purpose: To give parents and or/caregivers of children with disabilities a weekend free of full responsibility from their children. The entire family comes to camp, and all the children are cared for by trained volunteers until bedtime each day. The volunteers are teenagers and young adults; they also stay the whole weekend. Circle of Friends Camp (CFC) started on Labor Day weekend 1998. This camp was formed through the cooperative efforts of Camp Gilmont and Windridge Equestrian Center. CFC camp has been led since 2001 by Charlotte Hansen a retired teacher and now ventriloquist. Local volunteers aged 14 through college lead the daily program. CFC partners a volunteer and a child from different families for the entire weekend. This allows the parents of these families to stop, relax and enjoy their weekend. This camp has taken place on Labor Day weekend since 1998. Because of increased need, Circle of Friends expanded the program in 2006 to include a second camp on Memorial Day weekend. Families that participate are from the East Texas area. There is no cost for lodging and meals to the families or volunteers for this camp. Donations and grants fund the expense of these camps. |
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Activities include ropes course, swimming, hiking, crafts, canoeing, volleyball, basketball, and duck, duck, goose and more. Adults have the option of observing or participating in any planned activity. They have the opportunity to talk with others who can share how they’ve dealt with different problems concerning their children. Two workshops are provided on topics related to dealing with disabilities in a variety of setting. |
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Canoeing |
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Some of Our Friends |
