Some area children with disabilities are having a blast this week as they attend the Danville AMBUCS Summer Camp. Camp Co-Director Lori Lyons says the AMBUCS enjoy it too! She says putting on the camp is a labor of love….
‘’It absolutely is.’’ said Lyons. ‘’It just gives these kids in Vermilion County with disabilities an opportunity to do the things that maybe their brothers and sisters are doing, and their non-disabled peers. (It’s) Giving them a chance to go to a summer camp, and enjoy their friends and camp activities.’’
Wednesday the children were at their base camp at the Gao Grotto enjoying bubbles, burgers, and boat rides, and Brandy Goulding’s yoga class during what called ‘B-Day’.
Lyons says it has been a busy week….
{‘’On Monday we went to Illini Skateland, and the kids painted some pillow cases, and did putt-putt golf, and then Papa Murphys came out and we made our own pizzas. And then we did roller skating in the afternoon. Yesterday we went to the Village Mall Cinema and the kids go to watch ‘Toy Story 4’, and then we went to Garfield Pool and swam for the afternoon,’’ said Lyons.}
Lyons says some members of the AMBUCS and the Grotto provided the free boat rides. She says the Grotto has supported the camp for years….
{‘’The Gao Grotto is amazing! For the last 35 years this has been our home base,’’ said Lyons. ‘’We come out here and start every day here, and most days we end here. And then several days during the week we do activities here. And the Grotto has been fabulous. They’ve put in this wonderful pirate boat playground that is completely handicapped accessible for our kids to use.’’}
This week there are nearly 50 children ranging in age from five to eleven attending the camp. Next week nearly 50 others ranging in age from 12 to 22 will attend a similar camp.
Lyons says some of the funding for it comes from a grant from the
Julius W. Hegeler II Foundation. The Annual Danville AMBUCS Home and Business Expo and proceeds from a raffle also help make the camp possible.
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This story by Bill Pickett, News Director of Neuhoff Media Danville. Got a news tip? Give Bill a call at 217-918-1503 or contact him at BillPickett@Neuhoffmedia.com.