Camp Duncan makes room for neurologically disabled

From the Friday, November 14, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Camp Duncan makes room for neurologically disabled
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

INGLESIDE – Next fall, there will be a new resource nearby for children living with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and other neurological disorders.

A 4,500-square-foot facility will be built on the YMCA Camp Duncan campus in Ingleside to accommodate Camp Independence. The camp will aim to teach children how to live more independently with their disorders, while experiencing the fun of camping.

“I think we’ve hit a home run with the design of this facility,” said Chris Bielat of YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.

The outside of the building will resemble a lodge, and there will be a pine interior to give the inside a rustic feel. The building will house eight fully handicapped-accessible bathrooms, a living area with enough beds for 16 campers, and a large common area for activities.

There also will be a partially accessible kitchen, so children can learn the skills necessary to cook in a non-accessible kitchen.

“We need to really be able to teach independence,” Bielat said. “Campers need to learn how to ... live in an environment that isn’t 100 percent accessible.”

The multimillion-dollar project is a collaboration between YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and an organization called the Village Foundation, which is headed by David McLone, a doctor who has worked with spina bifida patients. It will be funded by these two organizations and a third, Camp Friends.

At a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday, an adult who began participating in similar camps 20 years ago discussed the importance of the new facility.

“Camp gave me a place to recharge,” said Kelly Schultz of Lake Zurich. “I was able to put aside all the struggles of daily life and just have fun.”

Starting next fall, there will be 10 camp sessions hosted at the new campgrounds, free of charge to participants. Sixteen campers can participate in each session.

For information, call Camp Duncan at 847-546-8086.