My Week at Special Camps
By Joshua Money
Special Camps was established by Colleen McDonald in 1994. She wanted a place where children and adults with intellectual disabilities are not judged by how they look or what their disability is. Special Camps runs 2 weeks a year (adult week and kids week). All the activities are the same for both weeks. Some of the activities provided are:
- 1.Riding Horses
- 2.Grooming Horses
- 3.Swimming
- 4.Archery
- 5.Dances/Parties (every night)
On Thursday night I watched some of the horses being released into the pasture to eat it was amazing. I am one of the lead around campers what that means is I have a White Pines Ranch staff member lead my horse Shooter around the trail. I
have a White Pines Ranch staff member behind me to keep me straight in the saddle. I have two counselors (or Colleen Mcdonald) walk beside Shooter just in case I lean left or right.
2019 will be the 25th anniversary of Special Camps. Colleen McDonald chose White Pines Ranch because it met all of the camp’s needs. The Knights of Columbus provide scholarships for campers and their families who can’t afford camp otherwise. The Knights of Columbus hold a raffle every year at the Special Camp’s Golf Outing. I have given a speech at the Special Camps’ Golf Outing for 3 years (2014 2015 & 2017).