Camp Silvercloud, the Junior Auxiliary’s camp for special needs children, has had a long, successful history of fun, and this year the tradition continues with a twist — the campers now get to stay the night.
Junior Auxiliary started the camp about 16 or 17 years ago, program chair Carolyn Bradley said, adding it was previously held at the Knights of Columbus Hall before a change of venue this year to Warner-Tully YMCA Camp.
“This is my second year to be the project chair, and I talked with the chapter and everybody was on board (with moving the camp to Warner-Tully), which was amazing,” she said. “I have a great team — one girl took the food and one took the counselors and it was just really a great team effort.”
Campers will participate in canoeing, archery, swim, a water carnival and the camper favorite, the talent show, Bradley said.
“We’re going to do a campfire tonight and do s’mores,” she said. “We’ll also do a little hike.”
Bradley said they do the camp for the kids.
“There is no other camp for special needs kids in our community, so we provide a much needed service,” she said. “The looks on these kids’ faces are priceless. It is so special.”
Bradley said the camp means a lot to the campers who attend.
“They love it and look forward to it,” she said. “Some of these kids have come here since the first time we offered it.”
A group of ladies called the Southern Belles come out every year and handle the food, Bradley said.
Each camper is matched with a high school volunteer at the beginning of the camp who makes sure they have everything they need and takes them around to their different activities.
This year there are 15 more high school volunteers than campers, which is great, Bradley said.
“We couldn’t do it without these high schoolers and their love for this camp,” she said. “I couldn’t tell them no, so every parent who asked me, I said, ‘Just send them.’”
One of those volunteers was Greyson Parman, 14, who said he got involved after Junior Auxiliary member Jordan Amborn talked to him about the camp.
“I thought it would be a good experience to help them have a good time,” he said.
This was Parman’s first year to help out with Camp Silvercloud, but he said he plans to go back next year.
“So far it’s been a really good time,” he said. “We’re just having fun with all of the kids.”
Camper Misty Grantham said she has been attending Camp Silvercloud for about 10 years, and she said she likes the camp being out at Warner-Tully.
“I like it because all of my friends are here,” she said, adding she also liked her high school buddy she was paired with.
Grantham said she enjoyed arts and crafts and she was looking forward to dancing.
“I’m going to do the talent show,” she said. “I’m doing ballet.”