The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
GAP- a summer camp for those with mental and or physical disabilities - is making its way around the area. The camp has two groups, one for children ages five to 17, and the other for those 18 to 21. Camp coordinator Crystal Hamcock spends her weekdays planning activities and taking the kids from the younger groups out and about. "It's really great," she says. "(So far) we've gone to Denare Beach and spent time at the beach, we've taken the kids fishing and we took them on a tour of Bearskin Airlines." "Everyday is different with the kids. It's always interesting," she says. And she adds, "I feel good when I see them having a good time." The camp, which has been going on for the past five years, is a great way for the kids to get out and spend their summer having fun. "When the kids are in school they are always busy, but then once summer comes things slow down," she says. And she adds, "so this is a way for them to keep busy, have fun and learn some new things." As for the older participants, they spend their time working throughout the city at different places. "We've got five businesses we're working with now," says Hamcock. The Bargain Shop, the Recycling Centre. Freedom's Way, the Town of Creighton and the Joe Brain Children's Petting Zoo are helping give the young adults some valuable skills. "They keep busy during the day and they learn how to contribute to their community," she says, adding that "other people from the community can see them doing their own part." See 'This' P.# Con't from P.# Along with those important skills, Hamcock says "this is good for their future." The young adults are scheduled for a couple of hours at each location throughout the week. "...we don't push them into working somewhere they don't want to work," says Hamcock. Many of those in the program this year have already been through the group. The working program is sponsored by the Norman Community Centre, which pays the young men and women for their services. As far as the camp itself goes, there is no central meeting location. "I drive around and pick the kids up in my car and we go and do our activity for the day, and then I drop them off," says Hamcock. On rainy days, or days where it is too hot to be outside, the camp spends the day at the Youth Centre, which is in the basement of the First United Lutheran Church. "Lately it's been too hot," says Hamcock. "I mean, we can go to the beach, but if there isn't any shade, you don't want kids in the sun all day." The Youth Centre has plenty of activities for children to choose from. "They've got a pool table and we just do fun things with the kids there," says the third year University of Saskatchewan student. When it comes to her job, Hamcock says, "I'm just grateful to be given the opportunity to coordinate this camp." With only a month of summer left, the camp is working on a few different ideas for activities. "We're going to see the ambulances at the hospital next week sometime," notes Hamcock, adding that "we get to see how everything works." With only nine people in the GAP summer program, the camp often joins the Summer in the Parks program for field trips. "When we join the groups, there is more kids for them to be with," says Hamcock. Being part of the GAP program gives the children and the young adults more attention than if they were with a larger camp, says Hamcock. "This is a more personal and interactive level of communication," says Hamcock. Funding for the camp itself is provided by from the Human Resource Development of Canada with help from the Child Special Services program.
