A Tradition of Service: St. Margaret’s Students Serve Special Camp in its 26th Summer

Now in its 26th year, the groundbreaking summer day camp for children and teens with disabilities has become a cherished tradition for the St. Margaret’s students who accompany campers through traditional camp activities. 
For many St. Margaret’s Upper School students, one of the highlights of each summer is the chance to serve as a counselor at Special Camp for Special Kids.

Now in its 26th year, the groundbreaking summer day camp for children and teens with disabilities has become a cherished tradition for the St. Margaret’s students who accompany campers through traditional camp activities. More than 120 Tartans were involved in one of four week-long sessions this summer.

The work of St. Margaret’s students—as well as more than 100 other volunteers including many Tartan alumni—provided campers from across the region an opportunity to enhance social development and communication skills in a traditional summer day camp setting. More than 220 campers attended Special Camp this summer, and each camper had a personal counselor for a one-to-one camper-counselor ratio that ensures undivided attention and a lasting bond.

Counselors created a nurturing environment that supports the needs of the disabled community through patience, maturity, empathy and problem-solving. They accompanied their camper on a busy week that included fun-filled activities like bowling, miniature golf at Boomers! In Vista, beach time at Oceanside Harbor, the San Diego Zoo and Knott’s Berry Farm.

About half of the 220 counselors are St. Margaret’s students. In addition, Special Camp had 27 senior counselors including seven current St. Margaret’s students. Overseeing the camp is a staff of 15, led by Executive Director Lindsay Eres and Camp Operations Director Stefani Baker. Five rising St. Margaret’s seniors—Mathew Josephs, Natalie McAleer, Grace Miyamoto, Ali Morin and Sophie Payne—were on the staff this summer.

In addition, St. Margaret’s alumni often return to volunteer. Recent 2017 graduates like Charlie Smith, Lucas Santora and Lauren Clements returned to serve as counselors before they leave for college, while Elizabeth Stephens ’15 was on staff for the fifth consecutive year and Yamili Burgos ’14 was a senior counselor for the fifth consecutive year.

Special Camp was started by The St. Margaret’s Reverend Mike Wallens in 1992 with 15 campers and 20 counselors. The program provides an opportunity for campers to enhance communication skills, social development and more in a traditional summer day camp setting. 
Back
 
Translation? ¿Traducción? 翻译?:

An Independent Preschool Through Grade 12 College-Preparatory Day School in Orange County California

Non-Discrimination Policy
St. Margaret's Episcopal School does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, sexual orientation or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational, admission, financial aid, hiring and athletic policies or in other school-administered programs.