FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Camp Hope?
Camp Hope is a five-day recreational and residential summer camp in the Chicago area for teens and young adults with developmental disabilities. Camp Hope offers typical summer camp activities such as swimming, dancing, singing, arts and crafts, adaptive sports, cookouts, a talent show, and a carnival.
All activities are adapted for special needs and safe participation.
It sounds great, but my child has never been away from home for an extended period of time. How do we know if we are ready?
Several of our campers’ first overnight experience is at Camp Hope. Our Camp Directors and Buddies understand what a milestone this is! During the application process, the Camp Director will contact you to discuss your child’s readiness for camp. Our first priority is your child’s welfare both emotionally and physically. This initial interview will also ensure that we can provide the volunteer with the right skills and personality to meet your child’s specific needs. Our goal is to provide a safe and fun environment for each camper.
During camp week, the Camp Nurse and Camp Director contact families if situations arise or if more information may be needed regarding a camper. At any time you may call the Camp Director regarding your child. We ask, however, that you do not visit your child during the week. This can disrupt the camper, and separating at the end of a visit can be difficult.
Who are the campers?
Camp Hope accepts 22-24 campers for each of its one-week sessions. We welcome a diverse range of disabilities. Typical camper disabilities include, but are not limited to, the following: Down Syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, ADHD, muscular dystrophy, secondary emotional disorder, intellectual disability, deaf/hearing impaired, blind/visually impaired. Camp Hope is not a medical camp and cannot accommodate significant medical challenges.
Please tell me more about the camp staff.
Our staff at Camp Hope is made up of volunteers. All volunteers are trained in protocols to serve the special needs of our campers.
Leadership: Camp is run by on-site Camp Directors, as well as multiple Group Leaders. The leadership team is made up of volunteers with extensive Camp Hope experience.
Buddies: Each camper has a buddy/caregiver who is with them 24 hours each day for the entire week of Camp. The Buddy to Camper ratio is 1:1. Buddies are high school juniors and seniors or college students who have been trained in protocols of safety, security, seizure management, swimming, adaptive equipment handling, lifting and transferring of campers, and positioning.
Camp Hope has an on-site registered nurse 24 hours daily for the entire camp. The nurse administers medications or other daily medical needs. Any emergency situations are immediately referred to 911 Emergency personnel.
All volunteers are interviewed, screened and receive an independent background check.
How are campers supervised?
All campers are with their Buddies 24 hours each day, for a 1:1 care ratio. The only exception is from 9:00pm – 12:00 am each night when buddies attend camp administrative meetings and have personal time to shower and attend to other needs. During this time each sleeping dormitory has a chaperone to ensure that campers remain sleeping or restful in their beds. There are no situations in which campers are permitted to be alone, with another camper alone, wander the grounds or leave the camp unattended.
In addition to Buddies, Camp Hope has floater Buddies who provide assistance. Camp Directors and Group Leaders also are on hand to aid where necessary.
Are personal care services provided?
The majority of our campers are very independent and require minimal assistance. Depending upon the camper’s abilities, Buddies are trained in lifting, positioning, bathing, dressing, diapering, and feeding. The nurse handles medical needs (medication, site changes, feeding tubes).
What if my child has a food allergy? Can I pack special foods or snacks?
Food and other allergies are indicated on the camper application and reviewed with the kitchen staff in advance and at check-in. If your child has special dietary needs, specific foods can be brought from home if they are medically required and approved by the Camp Director. “Favorite” foods or snacks are not allowed to be brought in.
Our volunteer kitchen staff handles dietary restrictions. All meals are prepared specifically for Camp Hope. Campers with allergies or other dietary restrictions receive special meals tailored to their needs. The kitchen staff works with parents ahead of time to ensure that the meals are appropriate.
How will my child receive his/her medication?
The nurse will review all medication and treatments at camper check-in on Sunday evening. All medications are dispensed based on your child’s physician’s orders and must be brought to camp in the original prescription packaging. Medications are routinely distributed at meal times (8:00, 12:00 and 6:00) and bedtime. All medications are kept in a securely locked medical cabinet that can only be accessed by the camp nurses.
Can my child have his cell phone at camp? Can I call or visit during the week?
Cell phones are not allowed at camp and should be left at home. Family visits are not allowed when camp is in session. The activities schedule is designed to keep campers engaged and active. Visits from family members can disrupt the flow of the week. Parents may contact the Camp Director with specific questions about their child. If a family emergency arises during the week, parents should call the Camp Director and discuss how this will affect their child’s stay.
Where do the campers sleep?
Campers sleep in the dormitory lodge, which has two wings (male and female) and a central gathering space. The dormitory lodge is ADA-compliant and can accommodate wheelchairs and other special equipment. Each wing has separate gender-specific bathrooms and showers. The sleeping rooms have bunk beds, accommodating up to 4 campers and 4 Buddies. Campers sleep on the bottom bunk, and their Buddy sleeps in the top bunk. The building is equipped with a nighttime alarm system which is activated from midnight to 6:30 a.m. with alerts if any doors are opened.
What if my child is on the waitlist?
Camp Hope is able to accept 10-12 female and 10-12 male campers for each session. There are instances when campers are placed on a waitlist. If a position opens up, you will be notified by email or phone of your child’s acceptance.
What are arrival and pick-up procedures?
Transportation to and from the camp is the responsibility of the parent or guardian. Campers are assigned staggered arrival times on Sunday evening between 6:00-7:30 pm. The staggered check-in period allows time for the camper and parents to become acquainted with the Buddy and provide any additional information about their child’s special needs, interests, and daily routine. Parents will also review and confirm medication requirements with the nurse, and dietary requirements with the kitchen staff.
Pick-up is Friday at 1:00 pm. Prompt pick-up is required.
Can I arrive early?
Campers are scheduled to arrive on Sunday evening between 6:00-7:30 pm. Early arrivals are rare and must have pre-approval by the Camp Director.
Is Camp Hope affiliated with any religious organization or church?
Camp Hope is not affiliated with any one religion, however its origin is based on the principles of Christianity. Persons of all faith backgrounds are encouraged to get involved, thereby resulting in ecumenical harmony. Camp Hope supports volunteers working together for the good of others and upholds a tradition of strong moral values and selfless service among the community.