Kids Kamp 2000

The ninth annual Kids Kamp, sponsored by the Lake Viking Lions Club, was held June 18-24 at Lake Viking. The five-day resident camp is for visually impaired children from all over the state of Missouri, ages 8 to 15.

This is the second year for Julie McKinney as Camp Director. Julie has a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She presently works with the mentally handicapped and autistic in the STARS program of the St. Joseph School District as a paraprofessional. She also coaches volley ball and track at Robidoux Middle School.

As director, Julie is assisted by a host of Lion volunteers. Their generosity keeps the camp going.

“The Kamp wouldn’t be successful without the hard work of the Lions Club,” said Julie. “Not only do they provide the finances and the meals and security, but they take time to do a lot of little extra things, like the laundry.”

Fifteen campers arrived this year. For many of the children it is the first time they get to meet and spend time with other kids just like them.

Katie Berry of Kansas City goes to a regular school where she says she doesn’t know any other kids with vision problems. This was her first year at Kids Kamp where she made new friends she could relate to and who could relate to her. Katie’s counselor, Nikki Greene, is herself visually impaired.

Kids Kamp’s goal is to provide recreation and personal development for the youngsters while encouraging independence and self confidence. Katie worked up the nerve to go tubing for the very first time.

“She was a little scared at first,” says Nikki. “But then she didn’t want to get off.”

Nikki is in her seventh year at Kids Kamp. She was a camper for the first six years. This is her first year as a counselor.

Every Kamper has a personal one-on-one counselor. Camp counselors are teenagers who volunteer one week during the summer. The counselors, too, gain by being exposed to new experiences that will aid them for a lifetime. Nikki has already decided she wants to go into some aspect of the medical field for the disabled.

She says she comes back every year “To see how much these Kids can do. Katie can be so worn out, she falls asleep in mid-sentence. When she wakes up she has a smile on her face. She’s ready to go again.”

Eleven of the this year’s counselors have previous experience at Kids Kamp; the other five are brand new at the job.

One counselor, Beth Beacon, has attended every year of Kids Camp.

“Beth came in and went right to work,” said Julie. “She’s an old hand at it.”

Social contacts are made. Friendships develop. And a strong bond is forged between the Kampers and Counselors.

Katie says her best friend at Kamp is Nikki. Katie has been working on a bead necklace to give to her as a gift.

Blake Sinnett is in his seventh year at Kids Kamp. The other campers say he is a trip to be around.

Blake say he’s too busy to get homesick. He has only one complaint. He says the sleeping cot – “A bed, if you want to call it that,” – is a little hard. Most of the time he’s worn out enough from swimming and tubing that he doesn‘t have trouble sleeping. Sometimes the campers stay up late, Blake says, “Just talking and messing around.”

Katie says she does get homesick, but she has a reason. She has new baby sister, Kara, at home whom she misses.

“Every Kamper is special in their own way,” said Julie. “When they come together they form such a unique and gifted team – I couldn’t ask for a better group of kids to work with.”

Daily activities are arranged by Julie with approval from the Lions. Crafts give the Kids a sense of attainment by expressing themselves through sculptures, beads and plaster projects. Physically challenging activities like boating, tubing and swimming are favorite pastimes.

Special events are also arranged daily. The Hamilton Lions had a hot dog roast and the Jameson Lions had homemade ice cream and a hayride.

The Kids tried their hand at fishing on Tuesday with help from four agents from the Missouri Conservation Department, along with workers from the Fisheries Department. The pond is fed by both departments a few days before camp to ensure successful fishing by the campers.

“The rain held off just long enough that the Kids had a wonderful time fishing this year,” said Julie. “One little girl caught 14 fish in 45 minutes. They would no more throw their hook into the water than they had a fish.”

Special guest, singer Tracey Clark, entertained the youngsters. Pettijohns brought a truck out for the Kampers to explore. Lion Terry Jarbo brought a bucket truck and gave rides. The FFA provided a petting zoo. The Mic-O-Say dancers performed. John Bassford of KQ2 dedicated a home town travels segment to the Kampers. A DJ and a Mardi Gras were held Thursday night.

On Friday, Lions throughout the area helped arrange a family picnic followed by a talent show put on by the Kampers.

Different Lions Clubs in Missouri, particularly around the Gallatin area, donate money, supplies, food and time to assist in any needs the campers have.

All of the meals are planned, prepared and served by the women of the Lake Viking Lions Club. Three meals a day were provided with additional snacks. Food was home-cooked, wholesome, nourishing and plentiful.

Additional help comes from inmates from the Western Missouri Correctional Center in Cameron who donate money, loan the campers their cots, and plant and grow flowers for the campers.

Dr. James Neely and Dr. Larry Dickinson of Gallatin volunteered to provide at-camp medical counseling and service. An infirmary staffed by registered nurses was on site. Gallatin Community Ambulance Service and emergency medical personnel were on the alert. At night, Lions Club members patrol the camp to ensure safety.

“Anyone who is involved with Kids Kamp, when they see the obstacles these Kids must overcome and then see how positive they are, can’t walk away without a change in their life,” says Julie. “It may be a small thing or it may be something big, but there will be growth no matter who it is.”

Blake Simmett summed up the feeling of the Kampers and hosts. Asked if he would be returning next year, he answered simply, “Of course!”

Kampers this year were: Brandy Graham, Lyndsay White, Adam Travis, Blake Sinnett, Katie Berry, Jasmine Thompson, Crystal Norris, Zack Smith, Amanda Pulliam, Josh King, Brandon Wampler, Warren Logan, Evie Nash and Adriene Patterson.

This year’s Counselors were: Beth Beacom, Nikki Green, Ida Jarboe, Mark Schneider, Justin Palmer, Will Jarboe, Katie Jarboe, Allison Cooksey, Chris Wampler, Cory Smith, Allison Spidle, Josh Ray, Jeremy Ray, Christina Cox, Tony Snook, Kara Flanders and Mary Henggler.