Southern Illinois University - Obelisk Yearbook (Carbondale, IL)

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tBelowi Camper Ted Hinkle of Springfield leads a string of inner-tubes through the water at the camp beach. !Righti Specialist counsellor Dave K leptich uses sign language to tell a deaf camper how to rig a Swiss seat for the high ropesttcourse. tBelow righU Counsellor David Lee signals to Lonnie Thompson during a 24-hour CLA WS mariners excursion. an understanding of individual differences. Five hundred participants, ranging in age from 5 to 65, experienced two unconventional weeks in which to expand their horizons and change their self-concepts. They came from private and group homes, boarding schools, state insti- tutions and independent living arrangements. Many return each year, counting down the months and days between sessions. A few are self-referred, but most come through local chapters of national organizations such as the Lions Foundation, the United Cerebral Palsy Association and the Easter Seal Society. Camp Director George ttButch Davis prefers to think of these people as mentally or physically ttchallenged, and this summer campers began to refer to themselves as ttonly inconveniencedii in their ability to function outdoors. At Camp ttOlyti the focus remains on ability rather than disability. The willingness to take risks and face fears is considered the key to a qualitative life. For Mike O,Conner, an SIU student involved in the program, physical challenges offered at Touch of Nature were in sharp contrast to his childhood opportunities. Activities such as rappelling and canoeing provided him with increased self-esteem and a feeling that you just cantt describe. Graduate student Arnie Venclauskas thinks the biggest opportunity at camp is living and working with

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War lefa Counsellors Jill Bjorndahl, Brenda Boese and Larry Normansell clown-around with camper George Desvoigne of Springfield. mew Counsellor Laura Yambert takes a camper for a ?iggy- back ride.

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people who are coping with similar physical conditions. Former SIU student Sheryl Sungail was impressed by the degree of decision-making power, where you are asked what it is you want to do, and then you are supported to do it. Most people would assume that these three, ttconiined to a wheel chairii with cerebral palsy, would have difficulty wheeling down the street, much less taking on a wilderness experience, but such is not the case. SIU community members comprise over one-third of the staff at Camp 01y. They are a mix of energetic under- graduates, compassionate, theory-filled graduate students and assorted adventure-seekers. They come here for many reasons, personal and professional. Laura Green, junior in special education and a three-year veteran of camp, signs up because she likes milk and cookies and has nothing better to do with her summers. The common denominator for most counselors, however, remains a love of people and of sheer fun. Training week begins in mid-May. During orientation the staff becomes familiar with the facilities and sensitized to the philosophy of camp. They learn basic transportation and care-taking skills and get a short-course in sign language. Safety is a major concern. Two registered nurses, who maintain the camp infirmary, explain emergency procedures for problems ranging from epileptic seizures to poison ivy. Beyond the formal dimension, this week pro- vides time for adjustments to communal life, a chance to know oneis comrades and the opportunity to gear up for the long summer. The counselor-to-camper ratio is about one-to-three. Counselor teams are assigned to each cabin and for 2 weeks each team is responsible for the total safety and supervision of their campers. As counselors assume the roles of companion-guardian, playmate, care-taker and disciplinarian-friendships usually blossom. ttBy far one of the best experiences is in giving myself to continued