BRADENTON (WSNN) – Summer camp season is but over, but there’s one Suncoast camp that remains open year-round, serving children with special needs.
“What makes us different is what makes us beautiful.” Camp Director/Activity Coordinator, Brynna Shepard said.
That’s the motto at Foundation for Dreamers, Dream Oaks Camp. The only camp on the Suncoast serving children with disabilities or chronic illnesses.
“Their parents can’t just hire the average teenager down the road to watch their children,” Director of Children Services, Anna Maria Carleton said. “Some of our campers are non-verbal, some are in feeding tubes and it requires a special staff to take care of them.”
Bradenton resident, Carmen Penker has two teens; her oldest son, Luke Penker is 17 and has been attending Dream Oaks since he was 12.
“It’s been really great for us, it allows us to do some other activities with my other son, while Luke is away enjoying himself in a safe environment,” Penker said.
Shepard helps with adapting certain activities for each camper’s needs.
“Whether it’s for sports and games or arts and crafts or when we go canoeing/horseback riding; how are going to get a certain kid onto the horseback and so that they can enjoy the same thing that the rest of the children get to enjoy,” Shepard said.
“His (Luke’s) favorite things are campfires and pizza movie parties that they do on Friday nights.”
Having fun, while learning life skills.
“A camper might work on tooth brushing or tying their shoes or something as simple as making eye contact and saying hello as you pass a friend when you’re walking through camp,” Carleton said.
“We can teach these kids so many things, but we’ll never be able to teach them as much as they teach us,” Shepard said.
Dream Oaks has adapted to the times; adding masks, social distancing, temperature checks, and coronavirus questionnaires for every family. They also are cutting enrollment from nearly 60 campers to about 30.