Camps

CAMP SUMMIT FOCUSES ON ABILITIES RATHER THAN DISABILITIES

After virtual 2020, program returns to Paradise, Texas, for summer 2021

By William Taylor

People Newspapers

Camp Summit, committed to serving people of various abilities and ages, never turns a camper away, not even in a pandemic.

Of course, in 2020, that meant providing camp online.

“We brought our campers a virtual lineup of activities, Zoom events, and even some sidewalk sing-a-longs,” said Meg Frainey, of Preston Hollow, who serves on the camp’s Board of Directors. “We stayed connected and provided a break from the boredom and isolation our campers were facing.”

But this summer, Camp Summit aims to return to its barrier-free Wise County facility in Paradise, Texas, where clients ages 6 to 99 engage in traditional activities and stay in cabins with their peers for a week.

“Although 2021 may look a little different with some new guidelines and safety procedures, we know our campers and their families will be pleased to add camp back into their routines,” said Abbey Cumnock, marketing and public relations manager. “With community support, Camp Summit will be able to continue to offer individuals

At its barrier-free Wise County facility in Paradise, Camp Summit offers clients ages 6 to 99 a

week of traditional camp activities adapted to their individual needs. (PHOTOS: COURTESY CAMP SUMMIT)

with disabilities assistance with the tuition they need, so their loved one with a disability can experience and enjoy the benefits of camp.”

The summer season will run from May 23 to Aug. 13, and the fall season from Sept. 19 to Nov. 19.

Since its first session 73 years ago with 19 campers, Camp Summit, initially known as Camp Soroptimist, has offered individuals acceptance for who they are, Frainey said.

More than 2,500 campers participate annually now, and by offering a 2:1 camper-to-counselor ratio and an on-site medical team, the camp can even serve medically fragile clients.

“Whether someone is in a wheelchair, has an intellectual disability, or needs 100% assistance with daily life-skills, Camp Summit makes the impossible happen,” WANT TO HELP?

• Visit CampSummitTx.org to learn how those with disabilities can thrive through camp experiences.

• Support a signature fundraising event such as the 20th annual Boots and Bandanas Dinner and Gala on Nov. 4.

• Join the Council of Ambassadors to support and advocate for Camp Summit clients.

• Phone 972-484-8900 for memberships or donations.

Frainey said. “We give each camper a ‘Yes I Can’ fun-filled week.”

The fee for a week of camp is $1,600, but with 90% of campers receiving help through the Campership and Financial Assistance Project, many often pay as little as $50 toward tuition, Cumnock said. “By anticipating and removing all barriers, we can focus on our campers’ abilities rather than their disabilities.”

Behaving Properly at Twirlarama Proves Too Much To Bear

I was no stranger to summer camps growing up.

My favorite was attending Bill Allen’s “Twirlarama” with The Farmers Branch Bomberettes when I was 10 to 12. It was a TANA HUNTER week at Bay lor Universi ty, and we felt so grown up staying in the dorm rooms and eating in the cafeteria.

Our walk to twirling classes each day included passing the Bear Habitat, and one day I could not help putting my baton through the fence and doing some “thumb flips,” which resulted in my dropping it down in the bear pit.

It was embarrassing enough, but the director of the Bomberettes was also my mother, Jacqueline Alexander Hunter, who had her first dance studio in Snider Plaza.

Needless to say, I was in double trouble and had to March around the football field several times as punishment.

FUN FACT: The girl in the white yarn pigtails is Judy Trammel, the director of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders (She never got into trouble).

Tana Hunter, an advertising account executive for People Newspapers, still likes to ham it up and clown around.

SUMMER STORIES

Got a story from camp or another summer program you’d like to share? Send it and a photo to editor@ peoplenewspapers.com.

Girls enjoy a twirling camp at Baylor University in 1972. (COURTESY: TANA HUNTER)

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I clearly remember that feeling of the COVID-19, and nearly a third slipped in last day of school and the summer before reading, according to the district’s analme -- one filled with swimming lessons, ysis of start-of-year assessments given Girl Scout camp, and all kinds of fun ac- to students in September and October.” tivities that my mom would find for us. (Dallas Morning News, 11/5/2020) As I became Project Transformation was foundinvolved pro- ed 23 years ago to address the need for fessionally with quality out-of-school time activities, youth develop- strengthen communities, and help young ment in the 1990s, adults discern their purpose and learn we realized how about service. KIRSTEN vital that out-of- We will accomplish this mission in

BRANDT JAMES school time was 2021 with summer day camp programs and started to see at 11 sites throughout the Dallas area the stark differences for those with access conducted in collaboration with churchand opportunity and those with limited es. We have programming for students or no access to quality out-of-school ex- in grades one through 12. We will be periences. in person this The “summer slide” risk for We help our young summer following all current children from un- adults find that place CDC guidelines derserved communities has been where their deepest and protocols for COVID-19. well documented joy intersects with the More than ever, and researched. A 2011 research world’s deepest need. our children and youth need opreport by the portunities to RAND Corporation found that summer learn and grow in a loving and fun comlearning loss, particularly in reading, dis- munity. proportionately affects economically dis- Our programs are planned and impleadvantaged students. mented by talented young adult leaders

In 2021, we are dealing with some- who commit a summer or year of their thing even more devastating: The lives to build relationships with children COVID-19 slide has put thousands of and experience intentional community children behind in both reading and with their peers. math in school. Because young adults are in a stage of

According to a recent article in life where they ask – “What is my purthe Dallas Morning News, “The pandemic pose?” – we provide a paid service ophas caused deep, ‘horrifying’ learning loss- portunity where they can explore their es for Dallas children, and underscored strengths and put their faith in action. the disparities among Black students, ac- While our young adults invest in chilcording to new DISD results. Half of all dren through the program Monday Dallas ISD students experienced learning through Thursday, we provide a space loss in math during disruptions caused by where they can invest in themselves on

Following CDC COVID-19 guidelines, Project Transformation will collaborate with churches to offer summer day camp programs for grades one through 12 at 11 sites throughout the

Dallas area. (PHOTO: COURTESY PROJECT TRANSFORMATION NORTH TEXAS)

Fridays. Through weekly visits with local leaders who have dedicated their lives to supporting their community, we help our young adults find that place where their deepest joy intersects with the world’s deepest need.

We know that only in collaboration with our community is our work made possible.

Kirsten Brandt James is the executive director for Project Transformation North Texas. WANT TO HELP?

• Refer a college-age young adult to apply for a summer of service with Project Transformation North Texas.

• Volunteer as a virtual reading buddy or in some other way.

• Visit ptnorthtexas.org to learn more about how to make a difference in the summer of 2021.

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