All people, regardless of ability level, have the right to opportunities found in the world around them. Individuals with disabilities, as well as their families, should experience year-round recreational and respite care activities in a camp setting. Camp Courageous of Iowa provides this needed service to all. The camp provides opportunities for social and personal growth within a supportive environment. Campers learn to try a variety of creative and challenging activities and experience success. Campers develop enhanced self-esteem which carries over to work, home, or school environments. Camp Courageous was founded in 1972 when forty acres of land was donated for the sole purpose of establishing a camp for the disabled. In 1973 five buildings were built from donated labor and materials. By 1974 the camp was ready for its first campers, which totaled 211. Today the camp is open year-round and has over 150 acres of land with 16 buildings. Annually, Camp Courageous serves thousands of individuals with disabilities ranging in age from 1 to 105. Camp Courageous was built and continues to operate on donations, without government assistance, without formal sponsorship, and without paid fund-raisers. What this means is that everything that is given to the camp goes directly to benefit the campers.
Website Address
http://campcourageous.org/
Volunteer Need 1
Visitor Center Volunteer-Volunteers are needed to staff the Visitors Center on Saturdays from 9:30am-12:30pm. We need dependable, responsible, friendly folks who would be willing to answer phones, sell items in the camp store, accept donations and give occassional tours of camp. Training would be provided for all of these tasks. Please contact Shannon Poe (
[email protected]) or Becky Melchert (
[email protected]) with any questions, or to get signed up to help! Call 319-465-5916.
Volunteer Need 2
Open House Volunteers- The last Sunday in April and September Camp Courageous hosts a breakfast and open house. Volunteers are needed to cook pancakes (Sept.) and omelets (April), serve tables, park cars, help in the kitchen and more. If interested please contact Shannon Poe at
[email protected]
Volunteer Need 3
Back to School Festival-On Tuesday, September 16, from 10am to 2pm, Camp Courageous will be hosting the 24th annual Back to School Festival. Special education students from around eastern Iowa are invited to camp to play games, swim, ride the train, dance and more. Volunteers are needed to run carnival games, do face painting, pop popcorn, and help with other activities. Volunteers would work from 9:30 to 2. If you have questions or would like to sign up to help, please contact Shannon Poe at
[email protected] or at 319-465-5916 ext. 2320.
