For nearly five decades, Camp ASCCA has enriched the lives of individuals with disabilities, their families, and staff members. At ASCCA, people are valued for who they are — not defined by their disabilities. We provide year-round, inclusive, and barrier-free camping experiences for children and adults with disabilities, offering a unique environment where campers can embrace their individuality and independence with the support and supervision they need.
Many of our staff members return summer after summer, and we’re excited to highlight their stories! Why ASCCA delves into the heart of the question — why?
Maddie, a dedicated staff member since 2019, credits Camp ASCCA with shaping nearly every aspect of her life. The lessons she’s learned through her years at camp have been invaluable, helping her grow into the person she is today. Now, Maddie shares her Why ASCCA story.
“My first encounter with Camp ASCCA was on a sixth-grade field trip, but it wasn’t until 2019 that I truly discovered what ASCCA was all about. I was babysitting a little girl who attended camp, and some of her other sitters happened to be ASCCA staff. They encouraged me to apply to be a counselor-in-training (CIT). I’m pretty sure I submitted my application the moment it opened. That summer, I spent two weeks as a CIT and absolutely fell in love with the place, the people, and the mission. Since that first summer, my love for ASCCA and its people has only grown stronger. Camp was canceled in 2020 due to COVID, but in 2021, I spent six weeks as a counselor, and that’s when it all truly clicked for me. Being part of something bigger than yourself is world-changing, and camp became home.
Since those first few summers, I have served in numerous roles at camp, including counselor, adventure staff, and med passer. Each position has given me a new perspective and allowed me to continue sharing my love for camp with both staff and campers.
My “why” for returning is simple: the community built at ASCCA is unlike any other. It’s a bond woven deeply into the hearts of everyone who drives through those gates. Even the hardest days at camp are still good days because you’re surrounded by people who love you for who you are. The pressures of the outside world fade away, and you can feel the magic just by walking around. Every day at camp offers the chance to live in a barrier-free world, something we can’t always find in the “real world.”
ASCCA means everything to me. The campers and full-time staff have watched me grow up over the years. In 2021, I met my husband, Clay, at camp, and we’ve been lucky enough to work every summer since. Sharing a place that means so much to both of us is such a gift. In 2022, I convinced my grandmother to join as a camp nurse, which made it all the more special to share ASCCA with family. This past summer, one of the famous Murray triplets was the flower girl at our wedding. Today, I work alongside a former ASCCA staff member, Callie Miller, as we both serve as special education teachers at the same school. ASCCA is woven into every part of my life. The lessons I’ve learned and memories I’ve made continue to shape me both as a teacher and as a wife.
Camp taught me that all you have to do is see people for what they are capable of, and the rest will fall into place. Even now, I still grin from ear to ear every time I drive through those gates because it truly feels like coming home.”
Interested in having your own ‘Why ASCCA’ story? Click here to learn more and start your journey with Camp ASCCA!
