Day Camp for Special Needs Kids Becomes a Reality

“It definitely makes it worth coming to work every day” says Drew Achenbach. Seeing a need for a summer day camp for local special needs kids, Achenbach got to work right away at making it happen. “We wanted to allow parents to kind of go into work from 9 to 3” says Achenbach. This is the first year the week-long day camp is being held at the Turnstone Center for Children & Adults with Diasabilites. Achenbach says it gives kids a chance to “get out of the house for the summer.” That is certainly something that camper Luke Labas is much in favor of. “Its been great. Its a good chance to get out of the house, get away from playing video games all the time” says Labas. Eight campers take part in activities like sports. “I like playing tennis” says Diana Karajic. The campers also visited the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. “We went to the zoo yesterday that was pretty fun” says camper Colin McIntire. Labas’ favorite activity is movement sessions. “Its to a good way to meet new friends” adds Labas. Achenbach says the feedback thus far has been outstanding. “The feedback has just been very positive and the kids seem to really enjoy a lot of the activities that we do” says Achenbach. He adds that parents are thrilled the center decided to add the camp this year. “We did get the feedback that theyre like were glad youre offering it, keep offering it because we do want to be a part of it’” says Achenbach. Liz Monnier leads up the movement sessions. She says “its really a lot of fun to see the movements they come up with on their own.” And even with all the energy shes giving out to the kids, she also says it all comes right on back to her. “I give a lot out and usually it comes back to me, so I feel good” says Monnier.