Every child can get in on fun at the Channel 3 Kids Camp

Nov. 15—ANDOVER — Channel 3 Kids Camp (C3KC) provides year- round opportunities to Connecticut children of all abilities, families and communities through educational and recreational programs.

The camp sits on 150 acres along the shores of the Skungamaug River in Andover and Coventry. It features more than 25 buildings, including sleeping cabins, an open- air pavilion, dining hall, recreation hall, arts and crafts cabin as well as a swimming pool.

The camp has been a pillar in the community for decades, tracing its roots back to 1910. When it first opened, the camp had 20 campers. Since then, the camp has grown exponentially and now serves more than 3,000 children year- round.

C3KC Executive Director David Meizels said the camp's inclusiveness is what sets it apart from other camps.

" While there are other programs that run for people who have disabilities, the rarity here is that we're an adaptive program that runs summer camp inclusively so that it's everybody," he said. " Just like the world looks. Everybody from everywhere with every kind of ability and every kind of interest is able to participate."

C3KC has overnight camp for kids ages 8-13 and specialneeds children ages 8-18.

There is also an adult overnight camp ( by invitation only) for adults ages 19-25.

Overnight campers are separated into groups based on age and gender. They sleep in rustic, screened- in cabins.

The day- camp program is open to children ages 3- 13 and for special needs children ages 6-18.

Both types of campers get to choose from a variety of activities. They can grab a bow and head to the archery range or express themselves through arts and crafts.

Day and overnight campers also get the opportunity to test their endurance through rock climbing or swing through the high and low ropes courses like Tarzan.

Hiking, swimming and dancing are also offered for all day and overnight campers.

Both day and overnight camp run for nine different sessions in one-week intervals.

The camp also offers the Ashley's Place Inclusion Program, which provides accommodations and experiences that ensure campers with special needs can participate in a comfortable and meaningful way.

C3KC also offers yearround programs. Children ages 5- 13 can spend their vacation and school holidays at the camp. Each day includes something new and is packed with engaging activities such as music, cooking and outdoor exploration. Teenagers who are 14-15 years old and previous C3KC campers can be invited to join the teen leadership program.

The program is designed to develop leadership skills by doing community- service projects, listening to guest presenters and attending offsite field trips.

The years spent in the teen leadership program provide a training ground for future counselors- in- training as well as junior counselors.

Since 1992, C3KC has partnered with Nature's Classroom, an environmental studies organization, serving school children across New England for five-day (Monday-Friday) stays at camp. The partnership provides year-round programming at the camp as well as services for youth in outdoor education.

Nature's Classroom is a unique educational experience for students and their teachers. Through the program, students take an active role in education by participating in exciting hands- on interdisciplinary classes.

The camp also holds respite weekends. These allow for foster children and individuals with special needs time away from their caregivers in a fun and safe environment that supports their personal growth.

Respite weekends are available to campers ages 8-13 who are currently under DCF care or ages 8-27 who have physical and/ or developmental special needs.

Meizels said his favorite part of working at the camp is seeing relationships develop between campers.

"I've been involved in the camp for about 32 years now, starting in '99," he said. "So I can attest that the kids who've grown up here at camp have remained friends through adulthood and remain connected to the camp as well."

The camp has also inspired people who want to work with children. Alexis Smith wanted to be a marine biologist until she attended C3KC as a camper. She greatly enjoyed working with special-needs children at the camp and subsequently became director of the Ashley's Place Inclusion Program.

" I don't have anybody that has special needs in my family or anybody around me," Smith said regarding her time as a camper. " So it was my first glimpse of somebody with special needs and I kinda clicked with it. I've worked with special- needs ( children) ever since."

Courtesy of Channel 3 Kids Camp

Channel 3 Kids Camp

Address: 73 Times Farm Road, Andover

Hours: Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Information: Information: 860-742-2267, www.channel 3kidscamp.org, info@channel 3kidscamp.org