Camp John Marc
| Camp John Marc | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1991 |
| Type | Therapeutic/Special Needs Camps |
| Director | Vance Gilmore |
| Location | Meridian, Texas, United States |
| Campus | 170 acres (0.687 km²) |
| Website | Camp John Marc |
Camp John Marc is a year-round therapeutic camp located in Meridian, Texas (85 miles southwest of Dallas) for Texas-area children with chronic illnesses/major physical disabilities such as Sickle-cell Disease, Burn Survivors, Heart Disease, Boys with Hemophilia, Muscular dystrophy, Cancer, Brain injuries, HIV/AIDS, Spina bifida, etc. The 170-acre (0.69 km2) tranquil retreat area in the Texas Hill Country provides 20 wheelchair accessible, air conditioned cabins to fulfill the needs of all campers; lodge-style dining hall; centrally located buildings; handicap accessible challenge course; athletic field; riding ring; amphitheater; chapel; shooting sports range; a swimming pool; [nature] trails; sports barn,as well as two wheelchair accessible tree houses, fishing pier, [star]-gazing platform, and covered wagon camping areas. 2007 marked the completion of the camps largest building which has been coined "The Silo." This building houses a teaching kitchen,library, medical education room, costume closet, screened nature porch with balcony, multipurpose room, and basement for storage. The building's most prominent feature is the silo/indoor rock wall through which campers enter. Construction of the new building has allowed camp activities to continue during unfavorable weather. Camp John Marc also utilizes community and medical volunteers to provide program support and quality medical care and treatment. Volunteers and medical staff change with each new week allowing for very specialized care for every camper. The camp staff of about twenty-four individuals, however, remains constant throughout the summer.
History
The idea for a camp for children with special needs has existed since the 1960s, but one of the major concerns was that there was no permanent site to host these camps. This all changed when a generous family donated 140 acres (0.57 km2) in memory of their son, John Marc. On June 1, 1991 the camp was officially open and has continued to grow ever since. A more in depth history is available on this website.
The camp hosts eleven week long summer camps including those specialized for Asthma, Childhood Cancer (2), Heart Disease, Hemophilia, Juvenile Arthritis, Kidney Disease, Muscular Dystrophy, Sickle Cell Anemia, Burn Survivors, and Spina Bifida.
The camp also hosts weekend camps throughout the year: Childhood Cancer, Deaf/Blind, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Craniofacial Disorders, H.I.V., Upper Limb Differences, Sickle Cell, Spina Bifida,Hemophelia, and Transplant Patients.
Camp activities
Daily activities include a ropes course (zip-line, rock walls, and high ropes elements), sports and games, archery, fishing, cooking, starlab, dance, horseback riding, and swimming. Younger (scheduled) campers participate in activities as a cabin, while older (free-choice) campers select their activities on an individual basis.
Projects, which last for about an hour everyday, allow for all campers to individually branch out into a unique area of interest. Projects include: karate, basketball, outdoor adventure, pottery, cooking, painting, hockey, cinematography (Lights. Camera. Action!), rappelling, card games, and photography/darkroom.
Media spotlight
Camp John Marc has been featured on KXAS-TV's local portions of the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.
Slogan
"Dedicated to serving children with chronic illnesses and major physical disabilities."
External links
Coordinates: 31°34′29″N 97°20′00″W / 31.574809°N 97.333256°W
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