San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Y’all together now, as camp retools for pandemic
It’s been 38 years since I rode a horse, I thought as I headed into the first outing with my son since the pandemic struck. But it almost ended before it began.
Paul, 14, who has autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, bounced in his seat as we pulled up to Camp For All, which serves children and adults with disabilities and challenging illnesses. “I remember this place!” he said.
Through the driver’s side window, a masked staffer read screening questions: Any recent illness or exposure to anyone with a positive COVID-19 test? I answered no. Then he aimed a laser thermometer at my forehead. It read a little over 100 degrees. The camp director was phoned. Under current protocols, the temperature to be admitted can’t be in triple digits.
Feeling fine, I was mystified. Staffers then used an ear thermometer. It read 98.4. The weekend could proceed.
They were prepared to turn us away — and that’s how it should be.
When the coronavirus hit, camps suffered financially and in fulfilling their missions. Those that serve vulnerable populations, in particular, largely opted not to open this summer.
Now, Camp For All, Camp Blessing (both northwest of Houston inWashington County) and Camp Aranzazu (on the Gulf Coast northeast of Rockport) — dedicated to those with mental and physical disabilities — are introducing family programming. Campers can get away to destress and have fun, and camps get to recoup a bit of their losses and keep staffers engaged.
But health and safety come first.
‘Must’ve figured out a way’
Normally, Camp For All operates year-round, hosting more than 10,000 campers via 65 nonprofit partners. With an annual operating budget of $5 million, its usual goal is to raise $2.5 million, with partners raising the other half.
“We’ve lost $2 million in revenue since we shut down March 19,” President and CEO Pat Sorrells said. The leadership team brainstormed how to “keep the mission moving forward,” she said. And so was born the cleverly named Camp For Y’All.
On our weekend, Paul and I met Laura and Olivia Fletcher, a mother and daughter from Houston.
Families preselect separate times for archery, canoeing, fishing, etc., along with horseback riding and time at a climbing tower for additional fees. The two-night stay starts at $1,000 for a family of four and includes six meals — dinner Friday through lunch Sunday.
Equipment — bows and arrows, paddles and life jackets — is sanitized between family sessions. Masks are required in indoor spaces, such as the dining hall, where families are assigned to distanced tables.
“I didn’t really hesitate to sign up,” Laura Fletcher said. “I thought, ‘If they’re offering it, they must’ve figured out a way to make it safer than safe.’ ”
Olivia, 15, was born with a heart condition and scoliosis. She’s had dozens of surgeries. For years, she has visited Camp For All and was excited about returning, even for just a weekend. “I like meeting people and doing activities,” she said.
Mother and daughter took on the climbing tower, hoisting themselves about 25 feet. Their reward? A zip-line whoosh back down. “It was scary. I tried not to look down,” Olivia said.
Laura appreciates how Camp For All adjusts the challenges to campers’ abilities: “She puts the limits.”
At “The Ranch,” I had my long-awaited reunion with horseback riding. Staff and campers wore masks while we were saddlin’ up. Out on the trail, I lowered mine and watched my son. Pre-pandemic, he rode for therapy; today it seemed like he’d never stopped. Personally, I was glad to be on Bevo, whose lazy gait let me pretend this was as easy as Paul made it look.
‘Roughing’ it
Camp For All is a beautiful, peaceful place, where wheelchairs glide on paved walks and through wide doorways. But it’s not a resort. Wi-Fi exists in the main building but is spotty in cabins. Families should bring snacks and drinks if they’d like something other than water and coffee. Supply your own bedding, towels and toiletries.
But I had no health qualms. Hand sanitizer was everywhere. The housekeeping staff has trained in enhanced cleaning methods, Sorrells said. “We’ve continued to follow (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and state guidelines,” she said.
Camp For All has retained its full-time staff, so Camp For Y’All is well supported. Sessions are scheduled through early December,
with plans for more in the spring.
Is it like real camp?
COVID-19 won’t allow for hugs or trust falls. Setting out a few minutes apart — under a lifeguard’s watch — we and the Fletchers canoed together, alone.
Even with pandemic rules, one tradition reassured me there is good in our world: the campfire. Sure, we had to stay apart. At first, Paul wanted nothing to do with s’mores or fellowship.
Then a counselor said he remembered our kids and thanked us for bringing them back. I don’t know if he meant Paul and Olivia or Camp For All kids in general, but it punched me in the throat.
As his team led us through silly choreography to Owl City’s “Shooting Star,” Paul laughed and joined in. Under the stars, something in me broke free. I realized that what was floating with the sparks wasn’t the virus or even the fear of it but love and acceptance:
Fill the darkest night with a brilliant light
’Cause it’s time for you to shine Brighter than a shooting star, so shine no matter where you are, tonight.