LDS Teens Rock Camp Summit’s Last Summer Dance
Janene NielsenBy Sharon Cliff
ARGYLE, TX It was the last night of camp, and the last dance of the summer for Camp Summit.
At Camp Summit, children or adults who are developmentally delayed or physically challenged can enjoy traditional camp activities like arts and crafts, swimming, horseback riding, and evening programs. This week’scamp was for developmentally delayed young adults age 19-29.
The dance was an especially popular activity. “This is the thing (campers) are most excited about, being able to have that social interaction,” said Dana Zimmerman, Assistant Camp Director over staff and volunteers.
Teen volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrived early to put up lights and decorations, style hair, and run the shaved ice machine. And they came to dance.
“I like it because it’s fun dancing with cute guys,” said a camper named Lindsay. “I danced with a lot of cute guys!”
Some campers, like Lindsay, brought clothes from home that fit the luau theme. Others borrowed prom dresses, superhero suits, or Disney character outfits from the camp costume room.
Many campers asked to take photos with the volunteers. “She was the best,” said a camper named Rania as she posed with volunteer Katie Freeman, who had braided her hair.
“It was cool,” said Freeman, 17, of Flower Mound, “I helped mostly with the hair. But I danced for a little bit. It was fun to serve and let the Camp Summit campers have their moment to shine and have fun.”
Although Camp Summit has one counselor for every two campers, some campers require one on one assistance, so having volunteers allows campers to get extra special attention.
“For the campers it was nice to have these special things done, like the hair and makeup and shaved ice,” said Camp Director Lisa Braziel, “To us, volunteers are a breath of fresh air, especially since this was our last week of camp. It was very energizing.”
Braziel first came to Camp Summit as a counselor 26 years ago, when the current location was fairly remote. With over 50 years of development, that is no longer the case. This fall, Camp Summit will host one more round of sessions in the current location, then “We’re moving to Paradise!” said Braziel.
The new Paradise, Texas location should be ready for Spring Break camp sessions in March. You can find more information about Camp Summit atcampsummittx.org .
