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In 1986, Karel and Bob Horney found themselves facing a monumental decision. Their five-year old son, who’d been diagnosed with cerebral palsy as an infant, hadn’t yet learned how to walk. In order to begin school, Adam would have to use a wheelchair. But the Horneys feared that putting Adam in a wheelchair at such a young age would bind him to it for life. So, instead, they opted to put him in intensive physical therapy. That decision paid off: After just five days, Adam took his first step with the help of a walker—and has been on his feet ever since.
Adam’s progress inspired his parents to create Adam’s Camp, a weeklong summer camp at Snow Mountain Ranch for youth with developmental disorders. The program provides children—and their families—with the support and commitment that encourages rapid progress in a short amount of time. “We understand that when a child has special needs, their whole family does as well,” said Adam’s Camp spokesperson Sarah Hartway. Parents and siblings are invited to the weeklong camp. A variety of programs and levels of therapy are offered, depending on the needs and abilities of the youth.
Adam’s Camp has served more than 7,500 families, and now has three locations across the country (Colorado remains the largest). Since Adam’s Camp requires its attendees pay just half the cost of the program, the organization relies heavily on donations and volunteers. And because many people can’t volunteer for an entire week during the summer, Adam’s Camp recently created Adam’s Camp Advocates to reach out to community members who are interested in supporting its cause in other, more short-term ways.
Get Involved: Adam’s Camp Advocates will host a kick off event January 27 at Celebrity Lanes in Centennial from 2—4 p.m. Come show off your bowling skills, meet other involved parents and community members, and learn more about how you can help.
Can’t make it Sunday? Adam’s Camp’s Hoops for Hope fundraiser is coming up (March 10th at Cherry Creek High School). There, you can watch Denverites (and maybe even some local celebrities) play basketball against the flashy, Colorado-based Harlem Ambassadors.
—Image courtesy of Adam’s Camp
