Camp Apple expands to include tech branch
A summer camp for children with disabilities in Butler County expanded this year to include a tech-centric camp for teenagers.
Camp Apple began about 40 years ago, but changed substantially three summers ago when the camp's operator, Community Care Connections, switched to an integration model. The programs aim for a 50-50 ratio of children with disabilities and their nondisabled peers.
“If we want kids with disabilities to be successful in the future, they need to interact with the people they will be interacting with regularly outside of school,” said Brenda Cole, Community Care Connections' assistant executive director.
This year, the staff dreamed up Teen Camp Apple as a companion program to address the needs of a select few participants. One in particular, Megan Pisor, didn't want to return to Camp Apple this year. Megan took a graphic design course at the Butler County Vocational-Technical School and wanted to spend her summer doing similar work.
Cole said they designed Teen Camp Apple around Megan's needs, then identified a few other children who would also benefit from the new camp.
They shopped the idea around looking for grant money and wound up getting about $2,500 from Butler County Human Services. They bought access to computer programs, beginner robotics kits and other tech-based learning tools.
The end result launched last week and includes two children with autism, plus a few non-disabled youths. On Tuesday, Megan was home sick and unable to be reached, but her colleague Ryan Rumbaugh, 17, offered his opinion on the class.
“It is great,” Ryan said. “I'm building a robot. I love building.”
Tuesday's robot was a small device that rolled a small camera around and could take photographs remotely. The group planned to take it to Moraine State Park to take pictures after finishing it.“I want to take a picture of the lake,” Ryan said.Bella Panichelle, 14, said she enjoyed the summer camp so far as a change of pace from typical classroom groups.“It's fun learning new things and learning how to work with people,” Bella said. “We make a great team.”Sarah Sauers, Camp Apple director, said she thinks the group is enjoying the programming. They've built a few small robots and are using illustration software to design logos and other art.“They're so excited about it,” Sauers said. “Seeing them in their element like this is so nice.”Regular Camp Apple serves children ages 5 to 18. This year, 52 kids are enrolled. The program is free and has a wait list.Cole and Sauers said they think integrating children with and without disabilities is key to their good atmosphere and productivity.“We are the only camp like this in the entire county,” Cole said. “There are many special needs camps. But we're not a special needs camp.”
