by
Virginia Benseman Director of Operations, N.S.S.R.A.

The Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association, a pioneer in the development of park district cooperatives, has long been aware of the value of learning experiences in a recreational setting for special populations.

The first of its kind, the N.S.S.R.A. was founded in March of 1970 and began with a summer day camp program for twenty-four trainably mentally handicapped youngsters. Last Summer, Camp WeCanDo enrolled well over five hundred children, ranging in age from twenty months to twenty-three years. Children we serve may have a mild speech impediment or be multiply physically handicapped. Our school year programs have expanded to providing pre-vocational opportunities for young adults as well as a newly developed early childhood program for children up to the age of three.

N.S.S.R.A. Executive Director Stephen R. Keay maintains "there are limitless bounds when providing for populations with special needs." Last summer, the N.S.S.R.A. utilized ten school facilities in the North Shore suburbs as sites for our day camps. The general purpose was to provide a recreational and educational learning experience through an outdoor environment for all children with special needs.

Setting up camp and pitching the tent helps to develop better motor skills.

All individual sites had an enrollment of approximately fifty children with an average staff ratio of one instructor for two children. (This ratio varied from 1:10 depending on the activity and type of child.) The staff included a site director, counselors (who were college students majoring in special education, recreational therapy or related fields), special education teachers, social workers, nurses and resource personnel. The program was in session for a six-week period from 9:00 a.m. to 3 :00 p.m., Monday through Friday. All youngsters received door-to-door transportation. A general curriculum of art, music, crafts, games, motor development, swimming lessons, field trips, plus ninety minutes of classroom academics were only a part of the planned agenda. When appropriate, children received speech or physical therapy. Creative dance and tennis programs were offered also. Summer visitors included such personalities as Bobby Douglas of the Chicago Bears, Ronald McDonald, and local legislators.

For many children, this was their first exposure to an overnight camp and swimming in a lake.

Following the Camp WeCanDo program, fifty youngsters attended a comprehensive overnight camping program at Conference Point Camp in Williams' Bay, Wisconsin. The group living experience plus the development of and exposure to new and different recreational activities such as kayaking and sailing made parents even more aware of the inestimable value of the program. The children's interests and skills were uncovered for the first time, in many cases.

Upon reviewing evaluations from staff members and parents, we realize the achievement of many underlying goals. The children increased fine and gross motor skills through programmed motor development and recreational activities. Many had overcome fear of water and now regard swimming as a pleasurable experience. An all-encompassing outdoor education program had been accomplished. There was an increase in public awareness of special populations through community-oriented cultural activities and press releases. The children improved scholastically through our individually prescribed educational program in a recreational setting and through creativity and stimuli,

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they developed interest in the world around them.

Gradually over the past five years, our clientele has incorporated into their everyday lives our programs and philosophies, resulting in higher expectations. The majority of our parents would like to see a ten-week day camping program. They would like to see creative movement every day, rather than once or twice a week.

Due to extreme need and widespread public request, the N.S.S.R.A. has accepted its greatest challenge. A year-round outdoor enrichment program is presently available through the utilization of a private facility. The N.S.S.R.A. and Peacock Camp for Crippled Children have entered into a cooperative agreement naming the N.S.S.R.A. operational manager from September through May. Peacock Camp is located in Lake Villa, Illinois, fourteen miles west of Waukegan and approximately a forty-five minute drive from the N.S.S.R.A. office in Highland Park.

The main lodge, equipped with a spacious living room and fireplace, is situated on a bluff overlooking Crooked Lake and surrounded by fifteen acres of woodland and trails. Sleeping accommodations for more than forty guests, a modern kitchen and dining room, a recreation hall, and an arts and crafts log cabin make the facility compact and versatile.

Peacock Camp was specifically designed with the special population in mind and is ideal for a field trip. Special education teachers and other leaders serving the exceptional people will now have the facility available for use upon advance request.

Such activities as fishing, boating and tobogganing are valuable instruments for the child in establishing positive peer relationships. Group living experiences develop consideration for each other and unity within the classroom or visiting group. A positive peer culture is easily developed and maintained. The relaxed environment is conducive to good learning.

It is extremely important for all adults and children with special needs to be exposed to a variety of recreational and educational activities in order for them to pursue specific skills and interests. The N.S.S.R.A. feels that Peacock Camp is an invaluable facility for such a program.

As a progressive organization, The Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association knows no limits. We hope that more park districts will accept the responsibility and challenge to unite in serving the special populations of their communities. Recently, a day camp summary was submitted to the Northern Suburban Special Education District, stating among its various goals, "informing people of the need and value of learning experiences for individuals with special needs through a recreational environment."

Illinois Parks and Recreation 5 November/December, 1975