Yes, I am an unashamed advocate for Camp ASCCA. I was a counselor there well before any of my students were born. The camp changed my life. It changes the lives of campers, and the students that work there, each and every day of each and every year.

I still remember my first campers. Robin & Vincent were about twelve years old. Their disabilities? Profound mental retardation, epilepsy with grand mal (Tonic-clonic) seizures and rigid (Dystonic) cerebral palsy. Some might suggest that such campers couldn’t really benefit from a camp experience. Hey, I was one of them, upon meeting Robin & Vincent that first day. But, that quickly changed.

We did just about every activity camp offered. I noticed positive physical (and perhaps even emotional) responses from both campers at every activity. We had the benefit of meeting the nurses from the hospital (yes, hospital) where Robin and Vincent lived. I asked them later if they saw any benefit in their visit. I hoped they could share any observations that would help me realize that all we did was beneficial to both of my severely disabled campers.

Their response? Yes, there was in fact a dramatic change in the camper’s behavior after returning from camp. Whether it was a more excited state, or a worn out (I want to sleep!) state, the campers were gaining a ‘quality of life’ experience that certainly made their life better.

To be sure, we serve a wide variety of people with disabilities. Not all campers are as severely disabled as Robin and Vincent. All of them, regardless of their disability, are likely receiving a therapeutic recreation experience that is rarely (if at all) available in their local communities. So, that alone is reason enough for me to support Camp ASCCA.

So, if you are willing, please take this ChipIn widget and share it in your blog. Link to this post. Help me find people willing to support what I consider to be a most worthy cause. Let’s also test the ability to actually use one of these widgets to raise funds. I know it works for others. Will it work for me in my attempt to help Camp ASCCA?

Watch this latest video from ASCCA. Each year, we have counselors come visit and work from overseas. Some return many years. The counselors are the foundation of Camp ASCCA’s success. You can see more videos at the Camp ASCCA Journal (blog) and also at camp’s social network, ASCCA Friends.

As you likely know, I’ve been involved with Camp ASCCA, Alabama’s Special Camp for Children and Adults, for many years. Yes, I was a counselor there 27 years ago. I was also their first PR director. In fact, I’m the one that bought their domain name and give it to the camp years ago, even building their first site.

Yes, to me Camp ASCCA is the center of the universe. They are open year-round and serve thousands annually. I love the camp. So, now I’m helping them with their Web site (again), developing a social network and trying to raise funds online, too.

In case you hadn’t noticed yet, the economy stinks right now. Yep, and Camp ASCCA – like so many other nonprofits – needs to find new ways to raise money.

We’ve launched widgets on the Camp ASCCA site and their social network, ASCCA Friends. These tools come from ChipIn and Sprout Builder. They are free and pretty easy to implement on Web pages.

Sharing is important. The widgets have the potential for a viral campaign. Supporters can email the link to friends and even embed the widget in their own site.

ChipIn even allows you to create your own page on their site.  Think of it as a blog, as you can add new entries.  Here is the Camp ASCCA ChipIn page.

Sprout Builder allows you to embed almost anything in the presentation. You can have video, photo slideshows, information, and even embed the ChipIn widget to facilitate giving. Scroll down to see both the widgets in action.

The giving function is tied to a PayPal account. You can offer a pretty easy way for supporters to give online. The cost per gift (a fee to PayPal) is rather small. I tested it with a $10 donation and the take from PayPal was 57 cents. That’s not too bad for something that really doesn’t have a high cost for the nonprofit organization.

Now, this just launched on Friday evening. Please read the following and make suggestions and comments below. I’d love to hear from you. This is essentially what I shared on the ASCCA sites. You can always go there, too. Visit the Camp ASCCA site and ASCCA Friends. Their blog, filled with videos, photos and more, is located at the Camp ASCCA Journal. Interns are always filling the blog with news from ongoing sessions.

Something You May Not Know :: ASCCA’s Funding

Yes, Camp ASCCA is an Easter Seal affiliate. But, did you know that ASCCA does not receive any funding from Easter Seals? Sounds strange, I know, but it really isn’t. ASCCA is owned by Alabama’s Easter Seal Society. As the flagship facility, ASCCA is expected to raise their own funds. ASCCA receives no money from either the state or national Easter Seal societies. So, please consider the following.

As an Alabama Easter Seal facility, the Camp ASCCA staff and board are responsible for generating, locating and developing all needed funding for all expenses related to Camp ASCCA programs and facilities. Currently Camp ASCCA operates on $1.5 million dollars annually.

Camp ASCCA affiliates with Easter Seals. In return for our Easter Seal affiliation, Camp ASCCA is able utilize group discounts for facility and employee insurance and employee retirement plans offered through Easter Seals Alabama parent organization. However, we cover the costs for all of our programs and activities. About 90% of the people attending Camp ASCCA require some help from us … well – actually, you … in covering their camp fees.

Camp ASCCA serves thousands annually. This campaign is just designed to help us cover the fees for 100 campers. Have you priced a camp, lately? Camps for non-disabled children cost two to three times what we charge. So, as you can imagine, we’re just talking about the fees we charge – not the costs we actually face daily.

So, now that you know what Camp ASCCA’s responsibilities are, please consider supporting the kids and adults that want to go to camp – but are held up by a lack of funds. Make a donation and help send a camper to ASCCA!

For more information about Camp ASCCA,

Camp ASCCA Mission

The Easter Seals Camp ASCCA mission is to help eligible individuals with disabilities and/or health impairments achieve equality, dignity, and maximum independence.

Camp ASCCA Goal

To accomplish our mission, our goal is provide a safe and quality program of camping, therapeutic recreation, and education in a year-round barrier-free environment. We strive to serve those who can derive maximum benefit from the resident camp experience and provide a healthier, happier, longer, and more productive life for children and adults of all abilities.

Camp ASCCA Programs

The philosophy of Camp ASCCA is to offer an exciting camp program geared to the age, interest, and ability of our campers. This involves learning new skills; making new friends; and participating in programs such as swimming, water skiing, tubing, canoeing, boating, fishing, arts and crafts, golf, nature appreciation, geocaching, horseback, bocce, riflery, and even high adventure activities such as climbing and rappelling. In addition to all of this, there are evening programs that include campfires, dances, and talent shows.