It’s summer, and campers have returned to the Munroe-Meyer Institute’s Camp Munroe.
Camp Munroe, which runs for six weeks, is a recreational day camp program for children and youth, ages 2-and-a-half through 21, with developmental disabilities including autism, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, spina bifida and/or genetic disorders.
To see images from Camp Munroe, click here.
Now in its 33rd year, the camp is playing host to 207 campers and 253 volunteers over its six weeks, which end Friday.
This year, campers enjoyed the opportunity to make their own pizzas each week as part of a partnership with a local Godfather’s Pizza franchisee. The camp also featured visitors such as a local drumming group and Mutual of Omaha’s Animal Encounters.
The camp’s mission is to offer children and youth with developmental disabilities a summer camp experience that can meet their individual needs while providing opportunities for recreational play and social interaction with peers, said camp director Kelley Coutts.
“It’s been a wonderful summer,” Coutts said, adding that the partnership with Godfather’s, which began just last year, has been a very successful addition to the camp experience.
“They’ve been very gracious,” she said. “They’ve bent over backward for our kids.”
Part of the success of Camp Munroe is due to the dedication of its volunteers and staff, Coutts said.
“Most of the staff here return year after year,” she said. “They start when they’re 16, and they kind of grow up here. The volunteers have a really hands-on experience and really are able to connect with the kids.”
The support of the Hattie B. Munroe Foundation, and the support of the campers’ families, rounds out the camp’s formula for success, which also hinges on providing positive experiences that campers can share with their loved ones.
“My philosophy has always been that everyone needs to have their own story at the dinner table,” Coutts said.”And for a lot of our kids, they kind of live through their siblings and their parents’ lives. They don’t always have their own place to go that’s just theirs.
“That’s what this place is. It’s a place to come and have their own experiences, and then be able to share their own story.”
I was an original camp counselor 33 years ago. Since then the dream has grown into an amazing experience for anyone who takes part! So proud to have helped get this program off the ground. Kudos to all the staff who have helped in grow! Barb Glover.