A Note from Our Executive Director

As we look back on another incredible summer at Adam’s Camp, we are reminded of just how much is possible when campers are surrounded by people who believe and support them. In fact, Adam’s Camp was founded on making the impossible possible. Families who have been given tough diagnoses are amazed to see their children take their first steps, learn to communicate through technology, and experience the great outdoors thanks to adaptive recreation services.

Thank you for making Adam’s Camp possible for 40 years! Your time, talents, and treasures help us create the unique and impactful services that change the lives of campers, their families, and the communities they live in. We’re already dreaming up next summer’s camp! We hope you can join us!

Justin Garrard, Executive Director

Camper Spotlight: Kierra

Kierra joined the Adam’s Camp family as a Pathfinder Therapy camper in 2012. What began with an intent to gather data and goals for her IEP in a new school district turned into SO much more!

Kierra participated in inclusive programming during preschool and kindergarten, but until Adam’s Camp, she had not been in a setting with only her peers. The therapists reported, and her family witnessed during outings with new friends, leadership traits that Kierra had not demonstrated before. Rather than relying on typically developing classmates to initiate conversations or tasks, Kierra gained confidence, volunteering to try challenging activities, respond to questions, lead a new song or dance, and encourage others when they did the same. The insight gained during that first summer at Adam’s Camp set the foundation for every IEP that followed, with an explicit focus on how to foster Kierra’s leadership, academic, and self-advocacy skills.

Along with the knowledge gained from intensive therapy sessions, Adam’s Camp provided Kierra and her family with what has been the best blessing of all: the opportunity to meet new friends in the Down syndrome community. Through those connections, the Scaccias met additional families and formed friendships that continue today.

From the “Summer BFF” Adventure Camp tradition to the lasting friendships and memories made through Global Down Syndrome Foundation programs (Be Beautiful Be Yourself Ballet, Dare to Cheer, Junior Denver Broncos Cheerleaders), PerformAbility’s dance program, and the Dance Athletics poms team, Kierra’s schedule and heart are always full. She looks forward to each practice and performance with amazing friends, several of whom she has known since that first Adam’s Camp experience at six years old.

As Kierra celebrated her 21st birthday on October 2, she and her family reflected on the foundation that Adam’s Camp helped build 14 years ago and are grateful to the amazing staff and volunteers who continue to create experiences that truly change lives.

Interested in sharing your Adam’s Camp story? Reach out to marketing@adamscamp.org.

Celebrating 40 Seasons Together

What better way to close out our 40th season than by bringing the Adam’s Camp community together for Celebration at the Park!

Campers, families, summer staff and friends filled the afternoon with games, activities, familiar faces and plenty of laughs. And, as always, the pie-eating contest was one of the biggest hits of the day!

A huge thank you to Molly’s Miracles, the Adam’s Camp Young Professionals Board and National Charity League for volunteering throughout the event, along with Howdy Homemade for joining the fun.

Celebration at the Park is about more than one fun afternoon. It is a chance for campers and families to reconnect with the people who make Adam’s Camp feel like a community, strengthen relationships that continue long after summer ends, and celebrate a place where everyone belongs.

Thank you to everyone who helped us close out our 40th season surrounded by the community that has made four decades of Adam’s Camp possible!

See the photos here!

BOD Member: Marybeth Daubenspeck

Leadership, family and a commitment to helping others are at the heart of Marybeth Daubenspeck’s connection to Adam’s Camp.

As Executive Vice President at Empower, Marybeth brings decades of leadership experience to the Adam’s Camp Board of Directors. But it is her appreciation for the unique strengths and potential of every individual that makes the mission of Adam’s Camp especially meaningful to her.

Get to know Marybeth, her family, her career and what inspires her to give her time and leadership to Adam’s Camp.

Does Your Employer Have a Match Program?

Your gift to Adam’s Camp may be eligible for a matching contribution from your employer, helping your support go even further for campers and families.

Many companies offer matching gift programs for charitable donations made by employees, and some extend these benefits to spouses and retirees. Some employers even provide grants based on volunteer hours.

Not sure if your employer participates? Use this easy online resource to search for your company and learn about its matching gift program:

Check your employer’s matching gift program

If your employer offers a match, follow their instructions to submit your request. It only takes a few extra steps and can increase the impact of your support for Adam’s Camp.

Thank you, Young Professionals Board!

Our YPB is an incredible group of people who give their time, energy, and talents to Adam’s Camp throughout the year. They volunteer at our events, spend time with us at camp, raise money to help send campers to camp, and are always ready to jump in wherever they are needed.

But their impact goes beyond volunteering. The YPB works alongside our Board of Directors to help grow Adam’s Camp, engage the next generation of supporters, and create a community where people with disabilities belong, participate, and thrive.

We are so grateful for everything this group brings to Adam’s Camp. Thank you, YPB, for showing up again and again for our campers and families. You are truly an incredible part of this community!

Learn more about YPB!

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