Rotary Community Allocations at Work — Special Days Update

Ever wonder where Rotary Golf and Tennis Outing proceeds go? This one story represents many that put smiles on faces and give young people significant opportunities for new experiences and learning, to say nothing of fun.

Special Days Camps’ mission is to provide a safe and memorable camping opportunity in a medically-supervised environment for children who have experienced cancer and their siblings, and it indirectly services the entire family.

They were granted their requesting to provide scholarships to four children from Washtenaw County to attend one week of the summer camp program. The weeks of camp included a sibling visit to share the experience. The programs are intentionally designed to promote self-esteem, confidence, friendships, teamwork and leadership. Campers are given the opportunity to challenge themselves and develop life skills as they move through our programs. Developing these skills can help them successfully meet the challenges of treatment, school, work, and family.

This summer’s theme was “Back in the Saddle” — a return to “near normal”!  Executive Director, Lynn Willoughby, explained that “while camping with children with cancer has its considerations (after 40+ years we are pretty adept at these needs), our base is wide and we continue to challenge our programming and process to support all children with cancer or siblings that are interested in attending Special Days.  We have increased our expertise and staffing for children on the spectrum.  We have more children with profound physical and psychological needs. Most recently we have added a program for campers that have “aged out” and can’t be autonomous staff members but still want to give back.  Exciting times at Special Days! It takes passion and skill and patience… and money. The grant from Rotary funding four young people, helping them build skills and, obviously, enjoy themselves with smiles to show us.”