Keeping Healthy: Camp Pathfinder
By: Administrator
Updated: June 1, 2012
Among the beautiful farm land in Edmeston, you'll find Pathfinder
Village. It's a community supporting individuals with Down syndrome
and other developmental disabilities. A few weeks out of the summer the
village is open to Camp Pathfinder - a program for young adults 18
years and older.
Kelly Meyers, Director of Admissions at Pathfinder Village, says it's important that camp administrators really get to know the campers' interests, and what motivates them. She says, "What we find is many of our campers that come in have shared interests and they share them with us."
But it's not just about having fun at camp pathfinder - it's about growth. Meyers says it allows those with developmental disabilities and Down syndrome to develop independence - something that is often a struggle, especially as they see friends or siblings going off to college or becoming employed.
She says, "One thing I hear from families is that our campers leave us a little more independent than when they came to us...In our supportive setting campers are really able demonstrate the skills that they have, but their regular environment around them may not make it easy for them to demonstrate their skills." She says that it's at the camp they feel accepted and part of the community.
Walter and Patricia Hogan are parents to Christopher and Thomas, twin brothers who are getting ready for another summer at the camp. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hogan agree their boys left with more than just fond camp memories. They said, "They like to do their own thing, which is fine, that's part of growing and we think that's a wonderful thing actually. They'll come home feeling much more positive about themselves."
Kelly Meyers, Director of Admissions at Pathfinder Village, says it's important that camp administrators really get to know the campers' interests, and what motivates them. She says, "What we find is many of our campers that come in have shared interests and they share them with us."
But it's not just about having fun at camp pathfinder - it's about growth. Meyers says it allows those with developmental disabilities and Down syndrome to develop independence - something that is often a struggle, especially as they see friends or siblings going off to college or becoming employed.
She says, "One thing I hear from families is that our campers leave us a little more independent than when they came to us...In our supportive setting campers are really able demonstrate the skills that they have, but their regular environment around them may not make it easy for them to demonstrate their skills." She says that it's at the camp they feel accepted and part of the community.
Walter and Patricia Hogan are parents to Christopher and Thomas, twin brothers who are getting ready for another summer at the camp. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hogan agree their boys left with more than just fond camp memories. They said, "They like to do their own thing, which is fine, that's part of growing and we think that's a wonderful thing actually. They'll come home feeling much more positive about themselves."
