A camp with ‘no limits’

JEFFERSON – Children and grown-ups twirl wands with blue streamers, dancing along to music on a summer day.
Smiles and good cheer are in abundance as everyone enjoys a happy moment at the Jefferson United Methodist Church.
It’s just another day at Camp No Limits, which lives up to its name for everyone taking part in the many activities at the all-inclusive day camp that was held June 22-26 at the church.
The camp had its origins in a bit of introspection and evaluation.
“This church, we have wanted to see how we could serve our community and what things were missing in our community, and services for families that have children with disabilities is one of them, so we decided to create a day camp that would be similar to a summer camp, do some of the same activities, but in a day camp form for kids with disabilities,” Lisa Ebersole, the camp director, said.
At the camp, about 14 children ages 5-12 from all over Ashtabula County were enrolled.
There was much to do.
Each morning began with an opening campfire at the fire pit.
But that was just the tip of the S’more.
“We have two sensory rooms that we have created that they have access to all day, and then we have a music time where they’re learning songs with hand motions,” Ebersole said.
A story time, arts and crafts and nature walk added to the fun.
According to Ebersole, the camp was a big success.
“It’s going very, very well,” she said. “We have really been pleased.”
Rev. Jeremy Roseberry, pastor of the church, is happy about the camp.
“It’s amazing, it’s been going great,” he said. “To me, it’s beyond what I think we even hoped for, and we’re really excited to keep growing the ministry as well. It’s our hope. This is just the beginning.”
The camp has a note of resonance for Ebersole, who works in special education.
She is a parent mentor with the Ashtabula County Educational Service Center (ESC) and is the president of the Ashtabula County Board of Development Disabilities.
“And I have an adult child with autism, so disabilities are what I do,” she said. “It’s who I am.”
She has been thrilled seeing the camp become a reality.
“I support families that are involved in special education through the ESC, and this has been a dream,” she said.
Looking back when her son was a child, she recalled that things weren’t designed for him.
“I personally understand the lack of resources and things for kids to do that have disabilities, because I was there once,” Ebersole said.
That experience was a motivating factor in creating the camp.
“That was my desire with creating this camp, is let’s create something that is designed for them to come and just access everything we have and do what they want and love and have adults caring for them and also for their parents to have that,” she said.
Parents have been appreciative.
“These parents have been so grateful and excited for what their kids are doing,” Ebersole said.
Carrie Stone of Rock Creek, whose son, Joey, 10, has been taking part in the camp, said it’s been really good for her child, who has autism.
“He has a hard time going to a lot of functions like a VBS or things like that, but this has been made or created with kids like him in mind, so it just has given him something to do that he wouldn’t normally really be able to do,” she said. “He loves it. He’s had fun every single day.”
She said structure, such as going to school, is really important for her son.
“When Summer hits, that routine is lost,” she said. “So, this has been something that kind of like gets him back into that. It’s just good for him.”
Joey said he liked the campfire part of the camp.
“We get to play games,” he said.
Other children without disabilities have acted as same-age peers for the campers, allowing them to interact with each other.
“And it’s great for both sets of kids to have that interaction,” Ebersole said.
Kylie Roseberry, 12, one of the same-age peers, said she liked helping the kids and keeping them entertained. She liked singing with them, doing music and assisting them with art projects.
She also enjoyed being someone the children could go to and be themselves.
Aubrie Roseberry, 9, another same-age peer, also enjoyed the experience.
“I feel good about it,” she said, noting she helps the children when they need it. When they needed help, Aubrie said she was always there.
About 25 volunteers have helped make the camp possible.
Barb Lomasney was one.
On Thursday, June 25, she read to Dylilah Williams, who appeared as delighted as Lomasney by their together-time.
“I love it,” Lomasney said. “Dylilah is a wonderful little girl. We’re having a very fun time this week.”