How the YMCA is making summer camp accessible for all

Megan Raposa -

Simplified: The Sioux Falls Family YMCA is bringing their annual Camp Leif Ericson to even more kids this summer with a special, free camp this August designed to accommodate kids of all abilities. Here's what you need to know about Give Kids the Woods.

Why it matters

  • Give Kids the Woods is inspired in part by the Give Kids the World Village in Florida, which offers critically ill children and their families a weeklong vacation in an accessible theme park environment.
  • Locally, the YMCA is expanding that concept to any children with disabilities or diseases that make it tricky for them to attend a traditional summer camp environment. Give Kids the Woods aims to give these kids the same summer camp experiences as their peers without disabilities.
"Imagine that you’re a brother or as sister and you see that your older brother went to camp, and then your older sister went to camp, and then you can’t go to camp," said Mike Turner, executive director of Owen's Outfitters, one of the partner organizations making this event possible. "And you’re like, well, why can’t I go to camp, and the answer is because you’re different."
  • The goal with Give Kids the Woods is to preserve the integrity of the camp experience, just with some extra accommodations, said Kadyn Wittman, YMCA development director. Logistically, that means making adaptations like having handicap accessible kayaks, ramps to help kids get up on horses and breath-powered BB guns for shooting practice.
"All kids deserve access to the joy that can be found in nature and in these social settings," Wittman said.

Tell me more

Wittman hopes parents feel confident dropping their kids off to Give Kids the Woods, knowing whatever unique needs their kids have will be met with the help of accessible camp activities and volunteer medical personnel.

And, at the end of the day, figuring out how to create a safe, accessible camp environment wasn't as complex as a person might think, Turner said.

  • Turner said a few times questions arose about things like how to handle a certain activity.
"Those types of questions came up a few different times, and it was like, just do the same thing (as traditional camp)," Turner said. "Do the same age groups, same activities, same before and after camp care, everything the same but then just adapt it to each kiddo for whatever they need."

Owen's Outfitters is offering some adaptive equipment for kids, and the YMCA is also working with the state Game, Fish and Parks Department to borrow all-terrain wheelchairs called Trackchairs.

What happens next?

The camp is for kids age 6 to 18, and it'll take place Aug. 18-19 at Camp Leif Ericson. It's free to participate, but space is limited. You can register here.

How can I help?

The YMCA is still looking for volunteers (both with or without medical training). You can learn more about that here.

Additionally, because this camp is free for kids to attend, the YMCA is also seeking community donations to support the purchase of necessary adaptive equipment. You can support that work here.