Camp tosses 'dis' and keeps 'ability'

Ben Breaux, 17, has non-speaking autism, but Camp Easter Seals recognizes his eloquence and wisdom.

"AT EASTER SEALS CAMP YOU ARE ACCEPTED FOR WHO YOU ARE AND NOT EXPECTED TO BE WHAT SOCIETY NEEDS OR TRYS TO MAKE YOU BE," Breaux said by pointing to a letter board with a pencil as his mother, Sara Breaux, transcribed for him.

Breaux's mother said the Craig County camp focuses on its campers' can-dos instead of their can'ts.

"I LOVE THE FREEDOM TO BE MYSELF HERE," Breaux letter-boarded. "THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE WITH VERY WONDERFUL PEOPLE. I JUST LOVE COMING HERE EVERY SUMMER WITH MY FAMILY."

Imagine living inside a body that can't keep up with your mind. Ben Breaux produces magazine-featured artwork, and has an inspirational blog where his daily experiences come to life, but he can't control a lot of what his body does, much less tell society he's anything but simple.

"He's not simple," said camp Director Alexander Barge. "He's quite complex."

The camp is celebrating its 60th anniversary of providing a place where kids with special needs don't have to hide who they are, Barge said. If a camper's behavior is not "normal" at any given point, no one stops and stares.

Andrew Fay, father of 13-time returning camper Max Fay, 17, from Northern Virginia, said they knew they were in the right place when they saw the camp's reaction to a boy throwing food during a meal.

"Nobody batted an eye," Fay said. The counselors cleaned up the mess, and camp went on.

Last week, Fay got to see his son muster the courage to hike to the top of Roaring Runs Falls, something he hadn't been able to do any of his previous years at camp.

Counselor Matt Hanson, 18, from New Zealand, said Max didn't even want to go on the outing, but then he hiked right to the top and was so excited.

Activities like horseback riding, canoeing, archery and swimming are accessible to campers of any age and ability level, Barge said. There are lifts to help campers into the pool and canoes, and a raised platform from which to lower campers onto horses. Even the archery bows allow campers to shoot using just one finger.

There are several beloved camp traditions, like "kissing the moose," which calls for campers to kiss a trophy head of a moose in the dining hall after conquering a fear, or just because.

After meals, there's a time for campers to challenge each other to do something silly, like run all the way down to the infirmary and back, and during parents' week, each cabin takes turns setting a trend for the day, such as wearing inside-out socks.

Every camper has one or two counselors, and the counselors have a passion for working with people with disabilities and a year of college or experience behind them, Barge said.

"He feels like he's with someone that enjoys being with him," Breaux's mother said of the staff.

Paige Brugh of Salem said it's nice to come during parents' week to be with families that understand their lives.

"When you're a special needs family, it's different," said Brugh .

Brugh said with the counselors assigned to her family, she's able to spend more one-on-one time with her two children, which doesn't happen often back at home.

During parents' week, each family is provided with their own cabin and counselor during their stay.

"It's nice for the whole family," Brugh said. "You don't have to worry about being judged."

During weeks that are just for campers and not the whole family, the site hosts 40 to 60 campers, Barge said. The cost is $1,000, but the camp offers need-based aid. Most campers stay for one week, but some stay for two or even four weeks.

Different weeks are tailored to different special needs; for example, one week is specifically for the visually impaired, while another is for kids with autism and Down syndrome.

"We've done stuff here as a family that we'd never done ourselves like that," Sara Breaux said, pointing to the zip line her son had just flown down. After landing safely on the ground, Ben Breaux wanted to share his experience.

"IT FEELS LIKE HAVING WINGS AND BEING ABLE TO FLY AWAY FROM THE WORLD OF AUTISM," he letter-boarded.