July 2023 by Pamela Rinn
I have been an Host Home Provider since 2004 in this community. I also operate a support group for Host Home Providers. In the past I have had several clients, friends, family members who have had an affiliation with this camp. For the most part we have had great experiences, with the exception of this year. Over the past few years we have heard comments and grumblings from a few Host Home Providers, families and agency staff, who have shared their concern that the camp is poorly equipped to care for anyone with a disability that may have more "diverse special needs" or may need a bit more. This year we have felt the impact of this. The Director and nurse were not flexible, and we were being discouraged from the outset to not consider sending one of our clients without even an opportunity to allow them the experience. The nurse was very rigid, and inappropriate in her dealings with our client, and when an issue arose we were not allowed to communicate with our client by phone to try to ease them. Her wording to describe what occurred was inappropriate, exaggerated, and at times seemed false. At the time we arrived for drop-off our client(s) to enter camp there was no welcoming words or smiles of excitement, except from the young counselors loading and unloading, but it seemed dread from the Director, Doc and RN, that we'd decided to bring them. With the exception of our one client, who is quiet, easy-going, agreeable and independent, our other 2 clients were being looked at in an unwelcomed way. One of our clients, who is the sweetest person with a big kind heart has been asked , 'not to return'. In years gone-by, the 'check-in' was a different vibe of smiles, 'happy to see you', we meet the counselors individually, we knew their names and able to have a heart to heart touch with people that were taking on caring for our loved ones for the next 5 days. Now the atmosphere is one promoting a sterile almost institutional feel, rather than the connecting with an "exceptional camping experience" that their mission indicates. I pray the comments I've heard of recent that Lions Camp of Colorado is a great spot for people with disabilities as long as they are well-behaved, without too many meds, without complexities or physical challenges. Lion's camp upper management and board, please make certain if you are going to offer the mission statement, to serve individuals with "diverse special needs" you work toward that, train your staff for that, and then advertise for that. But to advertise, offer the opportunity, and not meet the challenge is sad. To ask families and agencies to pick-up their adult campers/clients and not offer the opportunity to return is contradictory to the goal we all have of building self-esteem, acceptance, and a sense of community and belonging.
