Around this time of year, Camp I Am Special applications are released, and high school students have the opportunity to put their name in a pool to be a buddy for the campers. Camp I Am Special is a camp for people with special needs, and teenagers can apply to be buddies for the campers. The camp is in Fruit Cove, near Mandarin.

I attended one week of camp last year, and it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. It helped me gain perspective on life and helped me grow my relationship with God. I had a ton of fun during the week. Last year, we swam every day and did all types of activities like bike riding, a petting zoo and riding in a horse-drawn carriage and so many other fun activities. One of the things I learned about myself was that I really like to serve others.

For first-year applicants, you are required to fill out the application with a parent, unless you are 18. Then, you will attend one of the camp’s training sessions, where the leaders of the camp inform you about the camp and what type of week you’ll have if you get selected. 

The application is very thorough because at camp you are being trusted with a person to take care of. It’s not as intimidating as it sounds because you are never alone with your camper, and there is always an older counselor with you.

All in all, your goal is to help your camper have the best week they can have, and in doing that, you have a great week yourself. Camp I Am Special was such a great experience for me, and I highly recommend it for any high school student.

Image courtesy of JP Coll ’22.