Easterseals Camp Fairlee is a Vacation for Campers and Their Families

Tina was reluctant to leave her youngest son, Kyle, for the first time at Easterseals Camp Fairlee. Thanks to some gentle nudging from her daughter-in-law, she was finally persuaded to give it a chance. All that worry went away as soon as she opened the car door and saw Kyle’s smiling face.

“My son and his wife worked at the camp for a couple of summers. They always talked about how nice it was and how Kyle would have a great time. I was very nervous leaving Kyle, not just about leaving him at camp overnight for the first time, but also out of state and with people I have never met until the first day of camp,” Tina says. “Kyle, on the other hand, was not nervous at all. He was excited as we got out of the car and he saw all of the other campers and the swimming pool. He was all smiles.”

While it can be nerve-wracking to leave a child for the first time, Tina learned that 27-year-old Kyle, who has Cerebral Palsy, was not only completely safe at Camp Fairlee’s fully accessible camp, but also that he was having the time of his life.

“Kyle had the best time being outside having cookouts and campfires. He also loved the art projects, music and singing,” Tina says. “But I know his favorite activity was swimming. Kyle loves the water. He can move more freely in the water and I am sure that is one of the reasons he loves it so much. He also loved horseback riding. Kyle was all smiles as soon as he saw the horses.”

While Kyle is at Camp, Tina is able to spend some time with her brother and sister-in-law in their mountain home. Tina also looks forward to spending time with her two grandsons. Needless to say, everyone is excited for Camp Fairlee each year.

“I am so happy that my daughter-in-law convinced me to let Kyle go to camp. I may have dragged my feet because of my fear of leaving Kyle with people I do not know. What a mistake that would have been. Look at all the fun and great times Kyle would have missed out on because of my fear,” Tina says. “Camp Fairlee is a great place; I cannot say enough wonderful things about it.”

Easter Seal Camp Fairlee, outside of Chestertown, Maryland, is the only camp in the region that provides a typical residential camp experience for children and adults with disabilities year-round. Fairlee offers week-long camp sessions throughout the summer, Travel Trips throughout the year, and weekend respite/retreat programs from August through May. Learn more about Camp Fairlee services at campfairlee.com.