Jessica Yorama
Daily Egyptian
Evan, a counselor at Camp Little Giant, cups his hands around the shell of a nymph, a light-brown insect that sheds its outer layer, while campers crowd around to see what is so interesting.
"It's only the skin," 11-year-old Cody says, hoping to comfort a frightened camper that has backed against a tree. "It can't hurt you."
It hasn't been 24 hours, but already many of the campers of Camp Little Giant seem at home in the wilderness.
Throughout the next two weeks, the children will become more in-tune with the Touch of Nature site and nature as a whole at Camp Little Giant, a series of camps for those with disabilities.
According to director Randy Osborn, a 1986 graduate of SIUC, the camp is for people with subtle to profound disabilities who would not be able to attend a regular camp.
Charles Campbell, a first-time camper, is one of these individuals. As a counselor gathers the campers to head to the waterside, Charles is chatting with another camper about the events so far that day.
"I went on a trail twice today," Campbell says as he prepares to follow the group to the waterside. "That was really fun."
Despite only having been at the camp for a matter of hours, Charles has already made friends with another camper who shares some his interests.
"If I'm not fishing or hiking, I'm sleeping," the boy says.
"Me too," Charles agrees.
"We play games, do arts and crafts and basically everything you would associate with the typical camp experience," Osborn said. "We just move at a slower pace sometimes. We also try to emphasize success and self-esteem more."
Since 1952, Camp Little Giant has provided a setting for children such as Charles and his new friend to form bonds. Next year, the camp will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
In honor of the anniversary, local filmmakers David and Rebecca Floeter have ventured to Camp Little Giant to watch the start of the unions form as campers engage in activities such as hiking, swimming, fishing and horseback riding. The two have already begun filming interviews with those involved with the camp since its inception and plan to release a documentary for a national audience.
Despite the fact that all 15 campers in this session are under 21, employees want to emphasize that this is not an experience limited to children. The first two sessions are primarily for adults.
Whether the camp is catering to children or adults, according to activity coordinator Cordy Love, a graduate student in workforce education, there is a genuine sense of belonging established at the camp.
"People who don't know the campers may stare or look at them funny," Love said. "But there's a feeling here that's like a fraternity or community."
The sense of belonging and friendship that all counselors agree is acquired at Camp Little Giant is not the only thing obtained in the two-week session. In fact, counselors say they receive as much from the experience as the children do.
"You can't put a price on an experience like this," says Kristine Henderson, a counselor from Niles. "It's amazing how many different ways you learn to communicate and how intimately you get to know the campers."
Counselors at Camp Little Giant are hardly limited to those with or pursuing a degree in special education. According to Osborn, the only requirement for counselors is an interest in the program.
"All we ask is that you have the energy and enthusiasm," Osborn said. "We'll teach you the rest."
Although the experience is occasionally overwhelming, counselors such as Love say it is not one that a person will regret.
"There's something special about the feeling you get when these parents entrust you with their children," Love said. "It's difficult, but in the end, you realize it's all worthwhile."
Reporter Jessica Yorama can be reached at jyorama@dailyegyptian.com.
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
