Sixty-five children and thirty counselors at Camp STAR selected hotdogs or hamburgers for dinner, ice cream for dessert!
From Elaine Tears, Bath Rotary Club, photos by Cheryl Muller
Camp STAR, located on the scenic and rural setting of the Y at Watson Woods in Painted Post, was bustling with 65 campers, ages 6 to 12, and 30 skillful counselors, including a nurse, who lived and slept in the retreat’s cabins and were available to the campers around the clock, from August 9 – 14.
The camp provided its week-long program, complete with overnight accommodations, daily meals, group athletics, hiking, crafts, nature study, and field trips, for children who have a physical or developmental disability that usually precludes them from enjoying the camping experience.
The program, started in 1963, is carefully designed to provide needed recreation that is compatible with a wide range of therapies that the special-needs campers may be undergoing. Particular emphasis is placed on developing initiative and self-reliance of the campers. The camp was named Camp STAR since it is sponsored by clubs in the Southern Tier Area Rotary. No camper is charged to enjoy this special place. The camp is funded by several local Rotary Clubs, including the Bath Rotary Club, and the Camp STAR Benefit Golf Tournament, held on July 20, in which Bath Rotarians sponsored two teams.
On Thursday, August 13, Bath Rotarians provided the campers and counselors a picnic of hotdogs, hamburgers, condiments, variety of chips, fruit cups, fruit juice, bottled water, and ice cream with chocolate syrup and sprinkles also available. Those participating from the Bath Rotary Club included Nancy Latour, Jay Maslyn, Cheryl Muller, Michelle Smalt, Elaine Tears, and Bill White, pictured below:
“Camp STAR is indeed a wonderful week for the children and also gives families the opportunity for respite, knowing that the staff will be there for their children,” stated Latour, Bath Rotary Club President and member of the Camp STAR Board of Directors. “The campers are given an opportunity to be kids without any stigma. The counselors are dedicated and enjoy the week as much as the campers do.”
The participation in the Camp STAR experience allowed the Bath Rotarians to continue their involvement in community service projects and to display dedication to their motto of “Service Above Self”.
Anyone wishing more information about Rotary, including membership in the Bath Rotary Club, should contact: Nancy Latour, Bath Rotary Club President, at: nancylt7117@gmail.com or Bill White, Bath Rotary Club Membership Chair, at: bewhitey@aol.com. The club’s website is: www.bathnyrotary.org.
