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Camp Virginia Jaycee is a Summer
time outdoor recreational and educational program for children and
adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Camp is a 501 (c) 3 organization.
Originally sponsored jointly by The Virginia Jaycees and the Virginia
ARC, an association for developmentally disabled, the Camp now functions
as an independent non-profit corporation.
The idea of establishing a camp for children with special needs
first originated in 1969 when Bill Robertson, a young Jaycee from
Roanoke, identified the need for a special needs recreational camp,
and convinced The Virginia Jaycees to sell apple jelly in order
to fund and build the original Camp Virginia Jaycee.
Since that time, the Jaycees of
Virginia have raised funds for land acquisition, buildings, facility
maintenance, and camperships. Today many other organizations and
individuals partner with Camp Virginia Jaycee to bring services
to people with special needs. We are especially grateful for our
friends at Camp Bethel, who have served as our hosts for the 2011
and 2012 camping seasons.
Children and adults with special needs can be helped physically,
mentally, and emotionally by an outdoor education and recreation
experience. Yet the National ARC organization has pointed out that
only a small percentage of the citizens with special needs have
actually been involved in existing tax supported public recreational
facilities and programs. Camp Virginia Jaycee brings these special
people such an experience.
Camp Virginia Jaycee, Inc.
P.O. Box 648
Blue Ridge, VA 24064
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