Camp Greentop's Adventure Camp: we ain't No rudypoo's

Camping Magazine, May, 2002 by Diane Groff, Brian Albright, Katie Purvis, Justin Creamer, Alicia Pease

"I'm a survivor, I'm going to make it; I'm going to work hard; I'm not going to give up. I'm survivor, I'm going to make it...." The music from this popular song played in the background as the campers arrived at Pavilion B. We were completing the final preparations for camp ... medical check, inventory of personal gear, packing the group gear, and saying good-bye to the parents. Little did we know that this was to become our theme song. After all, we were adventure campers. We were going to do things other people didn't think we could do.

Located northeast of Washington, D.C., Camp Greentop has a premier location beside Camp David in Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland. The fully accredited camp is the oldest known residential summer camp for individuals with disabilities. Run by The League for People with Disabilities, Inc., the camp was established in 1937 and over 315 people come to the camp each year to swim, meet new friends, ride horses, do crafts, sit by the campfire, and experience new activities. But never before had campers come to participate in a weeklong adventure camp. The Adventure Camp director, Brian Albright, had arranged for the group to test their skills at hiking, rock climbing, and white water rafting.

The ten-member group consisted of five campers and five counselors. The campers ranged in age from fifteen to twenty-six and had a variety of disabilities including Cerebral Palsy, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Mental Retardation. Amy Deitrich was the oldest of the group and the only female camper. This was the second year that this young woman, who works as a Day Care helper throughout the year, had been to camp. Jason Plott was the most experienced outdoors person of the group and had come to camp for the first time this year. Chris Applegate was the energetic spontaneous member of the group who was willing to try anything at any time. Tom Ostrye had been attending the weeklong programs for two years and was the group comedian who typically used a power chair for mobility. He agreed to go the trail in a manual chair during this week to accommodate for the rough terrain we would face. Rounding out the group was Matt Rice. This articulate young man with a visual disability was one of th e thinkers of the group. Every member of the group had a range of experience with adventure activities from novice to experienced rock climbers.

Day One

As is typical of camp, once the initial check-in procedures were complete, the group participated in several hours of games and initiatives. The games served as a way to talk about the ingredients that this group would need to be successful -- communication, teamwork, and dependability. As Tom pointed out, the games were a reminder that if we wanted to be successful, we needed to work together to accomplish even the most routine tasks. However, after struggling to complete a simple game, the group was beginning to understand that the communication, teamwork, and dependability they sought were not going to magically appear. If this group couldn't demonstrate the three elements they needed to display in these games, how were they going to hike with loaded packs, climb and rappel down a rock face, and manage a white water rafting trip? The group would have plenty of time to contemplate their future actions back at the overnight campsite.

Once at the site, everyone helped set up camp and prepare dinner. After everyone was fed and the dishes were done, the group gathered around the campfire for what would become an evening tradition. Brian gave the campers and counselors lengths of rope and discussed everyone's important contribution to the group. When tied around the wrist, the rope would hold the beads that would symbolize individuals' contributions to the group each day. "Can we get a bead tonight?" asked Jason. "Not yet," replied Brian, "you still have to earn them."

Day Two

The next morning we awoke to sunshine. "I think it's going to be a good day," chirped Katie, a camp counselor studying to be a recreational therapist. Along with a good night's sleep the sun helped to express the high hopes everyone had. The smile on Amy's face said it all, "I'm just happy. It feels good to be out here." Once everyone was awake the group prepared for breakfast and broke down camp. We hurried through breakfast so that we could begin the forty-minute drive to the C & O canal where we would begin the hike. We left camp with a shout out to the rest of Camp Greentop. "Wooohoooo" was all they heard of us as we headed down the road.

On the road to the canal we were met with sun and a few rain showers. Tom knew a Native American Indian chant that would help the showers go away. At least that is what he conned the two unwitting camp counselors into believing. Katie and Alicia started off slowly as Tom taught them the ancient words. "Ohwa, tagu, siam. Ohwa, tagu, siam. Ohwa, tagu, siam." They needed to say the words faster in order for the chant to work. Again and again they chanted until they were told the truth of the matter. "Say the words quickly and guess what it sounds like?" Oh, what a goose I am! Although it was fun watching Katie and Alicia get fooled by this trick, the chant didn't work. The minute the group had unpacked all the gear and was eating lunch the rain came pouring down. We were fed but soaked. Because of the rain we reevaluated our plans and decided to hike a one-mile section of the trail instead of the intended three-mile section.