Camp I.D.E.A.S.
Camp I.D.E.A.S. 
http://campideas.wix.com/camp-ideas
Camp I.D.E.A.S. is a summer program for children with disabilities (autism, cerebral palsy, cognitive delays, environmental immune issues, behavioral disorders) attending schools in Lorain County, Ohio. We are a non-profit camp and therefore, must raise funds each year. Camp I.D.E.A.S. summer program has operated consistently for over fifteen years and runs 5 days a week, 5 hours a day. The program includes academics at each child’s individual level, field trips for motivation, organized outdoor activities for gross motor and team development, arts and crafts for fine motor skills, music therapy, speech therapy and daily work in a computer lab. In recent years approximately 110 children with ‘special needs’ and up to 10 typical peers participate in Camp I.D.E.A.S.
To encourage social and academic practice for older students with special needs, in previous years we have staffed up to 5 high school students with ‘special needs’ to work as aides. They were former campers at Camp I.D.E.A.S. and depending on their abilities, helped with various activities (maintenance, classroom aids, computer assistants, etc.). These high school students with ‘special needs’ work with the ‘typical’ high school and college aides. The modeling of appropriate work and social behaviors at Camp I.D.E.A.S. has benefited both groups of aides in the past. As a result of their exposure to the area of special education, more than 10 of our aides have decided to pursue this avenue of study in college.
The city of Lorain, where Camp I.D.E.A.S is held each summer is similar to many cities in the United States that once had a thriving automotive and steel industry. The declines in the industries have caused many hardships for those not only in the in the community but also for those charities depending on donations. 29th Street Toffee is proud to support Camp I.D.E.A.S. through portions of our proceeds. We encourage you to contact Camp I.D.E.A.S. and ask how you can help.
Camp I.D.E.A.S. depends on donations to continue this camp each year and your support is appreciated.
For more information contact:
Carol Mathews or Sue Rufo
330-967-0644
http://campideas.wix.com/camp-ideas