Camp Stand By Me Awarded Grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
Learn more about plans to update our fully-accessible camp facility
We are excited to announce that Easterseals Washington has been awarded a grant by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation for our fully-accessible aquatics program at Camp Stand By Me in Vaughn, WA. The funds will be used to purchase vital new equipment and to update our waterfront and therapeutic heated pool.
In addition to being an essential part of the Camp experience for all of our campers, these areas provide an opportunity for campers who use wheelchairs to get out of their chairs for an hour while swimming, canoeing, or exploring the beach. For campers with limited mobility or muscle spasticity, the warmth of the pool or consistent motion of paddling a canoe helps relax muscles or ease tension. Importantly, these program investments will also ensure campers with spinal cord injuries and paralysis are able to fully participate in activities alongside their peers with minimal adaptation required.
Some of the equipment we are purchasing includes:
- Shower chairs used for pool access on our ramped pool entry
- Pool lift battery, a much-needed replacement for our lift device
- Access Mat, an even surface for participants using wheelchairs, strollers or walkers to reach our canoes, pontoon boat, or to simply dip their feet into Vaughn Bay
- ADA compliant ramp for access to our waterfront pier
- Beach wheelchairs to give our campers who use wheelchairs equal access to the waterfront
- Adaptive canoe seats which allow campers of all abilities to paddle along with their friends on Vaughn Bay
We can’t wait to see these items in action this summer at Camp Stand By Me. Thank you to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation for funding this project and for helping us continue to give campers with disabilities the unforgettable experience of attending camp.
To learn more about the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, click here.
If you have any questions or want to get involved in our ongoing efforts to update Camp Stand By Me, please let us know at philanthropy@wa.easterseals.com.
