Hidden in a forest of green along the shoreline of Cedar Lake is Camp Courage—the home of the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s summer camp for kids and young adults.
This year the camp hosted 41 campers from the ages of 8 to 17. The camp is an experience like no other and teaches the campers independence while promoting confidence and well-being among campers and volunteers.
The smiles and silliness shown by the campers and staff fill the entire campus with joy all week long. Five-time camper Brody, 14, said “I love seeing my friends I only get to see here and the freedom to do the activities I like.”
Each day is filled with different activities like floor hockey, fishing, ziplining, boat rides, and endless games. The campers eat and bunk together all week long. Floor hockey was a crowd favorite, as every year campers compete for floor hockey glory and the Stan Can trophy. Campers also took a liking to collecting tickets throughout the week for different acts of courage and activities, so they could save up to pie a counselor or staff member in the face.
The campers not only have a blast at camp but also experience positive growth. Brittany Minke, who has been working with MDA for five years said, “The best thing to watch is seeing kids transform and come out of their shell while gaining confidence and building friendships.
The importance of camp is felt by everyone involved. Abby, 17, has been coming to camp since she was in third grade, “My first year here seeing people who looked like me was life-changing.”
First-time volunteer, Kelly Madsen, whose son is a former camper said, “It was the best time of his life and he wanted me to experience what he had experienced.”
The camp has a lasting impact on its campers and creates lifelong friendships and memories. “This camp is a part of my son’s identity. He is 22 now and still talks about the camp daily and he still talks to the same friends he had in his cabin. It really was a life-changing experience for him”, Kelly stated.
The camp is a judgment-free space where campers, volunteers, and employees come together and create fun experiences resulting in amazing memories for all.
Physical therapist, Molly Stark, who has been volunteering at MDA Camp since 2016 said, “The whole experience is humbling seeing the kids having the freedom to be themselves and not have barriers is a good reminder for us of how our society is set up for able-bodied people.”
The MDA Summer Camp is free for campers thanks to generous donations and sponsors like Rollx Vans.
To learn more about the camp or organization, go to https://www.mda.org/summer-camp/camper.