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STOKESDALE, North Carolina (WXII) — Camp Carefree in Stokesdale, North Carolina, is providing children and families navigating chronic illnesses and disabilities with a free summer camp experience filled with fun activities and a sense of possibility.
“They have siblings who have a chronic condition or parents who have a chronic condition,” said Mary Kate Young, program director at Camp Carefree, “We have our children with, you know, down syndrome or different neurological conditions that come.”
Each week, a new group of children ages 6 to 16 attends the camp, free of charge.
They try activities like rock climbing, horseback riding, and even play with animals on the farm, including alpacas.
“I’m scared,” said Hudson, a young camper, as he prepared to get on a horse. Moments later, he was laughing as he faced his fear and enjoyed the ride.
“They see no limitations, and when you’re able to see children who don’t have any limitations themselves, it takes away your excuses,” Young said.
For some, the camp experience has a lasting impact.
“I was a siblings week camper here for about seven years. My sister was born with autism, epilepsy, and spina bifida,” said Ben Lyons.
Lyons is now a head counselor at Camp Carefree.
“Every year that I’m here, I’m like, you know, maybe I kind of want to be a teacher. Maybe I kind of want to work with kids, and so I feel like I’m discovering more about not only who I am now, but what I want to do in my future,” Lyons said.
“I hope we’re leaving these kids with the fact that, you know, we believe that there are no limitations for them in any spectrum or any circumstance, and when we have people that believe in you, there’s nothing that you can’t do,” Young said.
Camp Carefree operates entirely on local donations and fundraisers, allowing families to attend at no cost. It has been serving children and their families since 1986.
Many families travel from out of state to participate.
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