OUR PROGRAM:
The vision of Camp No Limits is to be the leading camp for young people with limb loss, and their families, in the United States and abroad and to be recognized for camper satisfaction, amputee education, peer support and age specific physical, recreational and social skill development. At this time there is no other camp available for children with limb loss and their families with the therapeutic programs that Camp No Limits has to offer. Camp No Limits has developed a daily schedule of programs and events that are offered to campers and their families. Event opportunities vary depending on the camp location and season. Camp No Limits offers four programs in their daily schedule. These include the following:
1. Education and Therapy
2. Sports and Recreation
3. Creative Arts and Music
4. Evening Program
Therapy Program: Camp No Limits offers specialized Occupational and Physical Therapy sessions instructed by therapists with specialized amputee rehab training and expertise in working with individuals with upper and lower limb loss or limb differences. Therapy breakout sessions will focus on instructing and practicing everyday age specific activities.
□ Physical Therapy breakout sessions: Campers will learn the correct way to crawl, climb, kneel, sit, stand, hop, walk, run, bicycle, climb and descend hills/ stairs and fall safely. General suggestions on how to prevent or correct abnormal posture and gait deviations are discussed.
□ Occupational Therapy breakout sessions: Campers will learn the most efficient way to complete dressing, bathing, grooming, meal preparation, eating, writing, typing, and cutting. General suggestions on proper techniques using adaptive and prosthetic devices are discussed.
□ Camp No Limits Exercise Class: The Camp No Limits therapists offer a modified Pilates program for fitness training for campers. Children with limb loss are at risk for developing muscle atrophy on the affected side and scoliosis due to the limb loss. For these children the ability to develop the needed core muscle strength, flexibility, and coordination is crucial for symmetrical muscle development and postural alignment. Pilates can better prepare children for motor skills needed for many child related functional and recreational activities. The program uses therapy balls to develop muscle control in the shoulders, trunk, pelvis, and hips and to improve back and abdominal muscles needed for good posture. The program aims to instill a fun, positive attitude towards maintaining a healthy childhood lifestyle.
Education and Therapy Program:
Camp No Limits incorporates a highly specialized education, peer support, and therapy program to address the specific needs of children with limb loss and their families.
Education Program: Vendor displays are available with educational materials highlighting state of the art prosthetic technology. Certified prosthetists and therapists, adult amputees, and various organization and industry representatives will be available to answer questions and provide information on local resources. Open forums are scheduled to discuss topics of interest or concerns of campers and families.
Peer Support: In a supportive, safe, and confidential environment campers and their families share thoughts, feelings, concerns, and successes about living with limb loss. Amputees, who are ACA (Amputee Coalition of America), certified peer supporters, lead child and teen support group sessions addressing age appropriate issues.
Sports and Recreation Program:
Unlike other children’s camps, Camp No Limits provides tailored programs designed by occupational and physical therapists for children with limb loss. By focusing on a skill area of their choice campers develop their individual motor skills. Each day campers and families are provided opportunities to participate in a variety of individual and team sporting events. Camp No Limits utilizes qualified and knowledgeable physical and occupational therapists and adult amputee athletes who can provide excellent leadership and skill development to the enrolled camper.
□ Team sports: Soccer, Frisbee, volleyball, football, baseball, softball, basketball, and ball hockey games.
□ Swimming: Swim evaluations will be available for each camper. Daily lessons with and without the use of swim accessories will be available.
□ Water craft: Canoeing, kayaking, water skiing/tubing lessons using various terminal devices for gripping paddles, and water skiing standing and sitting bucket adaptations will be available.
□ Fishing: Group fishing adventures off the dock or through guided boat tours with fishing gear provided.
□ Cycling: Road and Trail bicycling lessons using bike adapted handle grips and crank arm toe grips.
□ Horse back riding: Basic horsemanship skills (grooming, tacking up, mounting and dismounting) will be demonstrated with opportunities to ride.
□ Rock climbing: Demonstrations of rock climbing with and without adapted equipment with opportunities for practice.
□ Tennis: Single and double tennis lessons and matches with racquet adaptations.
□ Karate: Instruction given by certified karate instructors with upper and lower limb loss.
□ Golfing: Golf lessons using adaptive techniques.
□ Acrobatics: circus skills, juggling, uni-cycling, scarf throwing demonstrations and participation.
□ Outdoor living: Nature walks and hiking.
□ Winter Sports: Ice-skating, down hill and cross country skiing, sledding, curling, sled hockey, snow shoeing activities.
Creative Arts and Music:
Arts and Crafts: A wide variety of crafts and projects involving unilateral and bilateral hand use are offered. Therapists will be available to encourage and adapt activities for campers with and without upper extremity prosthetics.
Music and Drama: Opportunities for acting, dancing, singing, and playing instruments are part of camp activities with instruction on the use of adaptive equipment if needed.
Evening Program:
Each evening campers and families have the opportunity to relax and enjoy traditional types of activities such as singing around the campfire, telling campfire stories and making s’mores. In addition, camp dances and talent nights are scheduled.
*All activities offered incorporate family members as well with specific group sessions for siblings and parents as well when appropriate to address the needs of families living with individuals with limb loss.