I was thinking about girl scouts as we made our way into the camp. What I remembered about camp was falling out of the platform tent into a bunch of locusts. UGH. All my worries were laid to rest as I could feel and sense a calmness and beauty in our approach.  It was cozy and clean and of course no locusts.

Most of the information here is also right on the Shady Oaks Website. However I wanted to feature them this month so I just have some tidbits from the website and a couple pics.. Founded in 1947, the camp is located on 30 beautiful acres. It is also the last parent owned residential summer camp in the country. They have survived 62 years!

 
During those 60+ years, Shady Oaks Camp has grown from its three original buildings to seven dorms, two staff houses including an infirmary, a large dining hall, director's quarters, grounds keeper's quarters, heated pool, and a recreational facility donated by the Ford Foundation
 
Each year young men and women from all over the world (15 countries in 2008) come to work at Shady Oaks Camp. The staff range in age from 18-30, many of whom have never had experience working with someone with a disability. Most of them come with drastically different cultural, educational, religious, and family backgrounds. Despite these differences, they do have one thing in common, and that is the need to want to help make a difference in the life of someone other than themselves.
 
Shady Oaks is run by a Director, Assistant Director, and a cast of support staff.
 
 
Each support staff member has a specific position at camp and assists the Director in the supervision of the counselors. Counselors work directly with the campers in each dorm. Each counselor is responsible for one camper a day, which ensures that the campers will receive individualized attention.
 
A training period is provided before the campers arrive to help prepare new staff for life at Shady Oaks. Because of this orientation, experience with working with someone with a disability is a plus, but not a requirement. More importantly an ideal S.O.C. staff member is someone who is caring, a good listener, and willing to learn. The ability to be oneself and a good sense of humor are also very important. 

Our Campers

The campers are children and adults with disabilities. Most are the children of members of the Parents Association, but some are referrals from various organizations. The minimum age for attendance is five years old. There is no maximum age for campers.

What We Offer

Shady Oaks Camp provides outdoor fun and recreation for children and adults with disabilities.

Our camp programs are designed to enrich the quality of life of our campers. 

Our campers benefit from a broad range of interaction with other campers, our staff, and visitors. 

Our camp is organized with the goal of providing stimulating life experiences that our campers may not have the opportunity to engage in elsewhere.

Capabilities

The camp is located in Homer Glen, Illinois, approximately 35 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, and was built specifically around the special needs of these campers

Shady Oaks provides eight weeks of camping for up to 65 male and female campers. Programs at the camp include planned recreation, games, arts and crafts, and swimming.  All are tailored to the capabilities and limitations of each individual camper.

At Shady Oaks, every summer since 1947, these campers enjoy many recreational activities between the months of June and August. These activities include movies, swimming, song fests, handicrafts, parties and specially adapted games.

In addition to in-camp activities, there are field trips which enable campers to participate in everyday life experiences. Field trips may include Brookfield and Lincoln Park Zoos, minor league baseball games, museums, theaters, and other places of interest within the greater Chicago area.

Please visit the camp website for more information.

Shady Oaks Camp