Extreme Sports Camp's Journal
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March 11, 2010
What Parents Say About Extreme Sports Camp
Just a few of the testimonials Extreme Sports Camp has gotten from the parents of ESC campers:"My son has attended Extreme Sports Camp for the past two years. Your Camp offers the most exciting activities with positive reinforcement and encouragement. This camp is by far the most positive outdoor experience my son has participated in. He has a total blast, more so every year he has attended. His confidence keeps building. We do plan on attending the Summer 2010 Session.""Our son has benefitted enormously from participating in Extreme Sports Camp for the past two years. His confidence and sense of independence has risen significantly. Unlike his experience at other camps which advertise themselves as camps for children with special needs which we had tried before, at ESC he felt really welcome, included, and part of a family. The support structure and care the ESC Director, Counselors and Staff provide, and the enthusiasm with which they help kids do amazing activities, is unparalleled."Donna from Massachusetts"The expeience our daughter, Dana, has at ESC can't be replicated anywhere. Although she just returned from the 2009 summer camp, she is already asking about 2010! The staff is amazing and were able to get Dana to be successful in activities that we couldn't have expected she would even want to try! She'll be back for sure."Beth and Rob from Maryland"The Extreme Sports Camp this year is my son Andrew's all-time favorite experience to date. The very well trained staff made my son feel like the most loved kid on the planet! The activities were so unique, well planned and executed....it made all of Andrew's friends say "Why doesnt our camp do such fun activities?" Andrew conquered fears, made new friends and loved every activity and every counselor. Thank you all for so obviously putting your heart and soul into this camp!"
Robin from Colorado
"It has been a blessing for Robert to be involved with Extreme Sports Camp. The camp has a dedicated staff led by Doug Gilstrap that is relentless in challenging the kids to achieve success in sports not measured by wins and losses but by simply doing. The joy of watching Robert interact and belong at the camp is priceless. Indeed a great camp for us and I appreciate Sarah [sister] getting to be a part of it."
Lem from Virginia
Ravin and Swati from New Jersey"I was so impressed with the team of counselors at ESC. Doug Gilstrap is a true gift to the campers. He and his team knew exactly how to handle my 5-year-old son: when to encourage, when to push, when to love, when to ive him space. This was my son's first time at camp. He actually did a 60 on a knee board! My son bonded with his counselor and promised to attend next year's camp only if he could have Charlie again."
Sheryl from Colorado
"Extreme Sports Camp is one of a kind and a class by itself! The exquisite attention to the details and idiosyncrasies of each camper was phenomenal. The entire experience has been impeccably organized while at the same time allowing for individual flexibility. Doug Gilstrap who directs the program has such a great understanding of the kids and works so hard to make every camper have a great experience and revel in the pride of achievement at the end of each day. My son has been attending for the last 3 years and each year has been more fun than ever. In the world of autism where opportunities for these kids are so rare this is one camp that shines!"
Eswar from Massachusetts"This year will be Hunter's 3rd stay at Extreme Sports Camp. I know he will enjoy it just as he has in past years. Our family is very pleased with the activities, the food, and accommodations that you provide. It is so apparent that you have taken into account the needs of children with autism. Thank you so much for providing this great opportunity for our kids."
Marianne from California
"My kids had the opportunity to attend Extreme Sports Camp last year and it was a summer full of amazing memories. The kids got to try things I would never have imagined: rock climbing, water skiing, hiking, skating, water slides, etc. My younger son climbed up to Hanging Lake! I couldn't believe it until I tried it myself and almost left my heart up there. My older son tried rock climbing and when he was able to reach the top of the rock at the Recreation Center and ring the bell, no smile was bigger than his. The sense of accomplishment in doing things that would have seemed out of their league, just did wonders for their self-esteem. The buddies were great and Doug was very detailed and focused on strenghtening their skills. I have so much gratitude for the whole staff because they gave my kids the experiences and memories that they will treasure for life. Last week my older son had to share with his peers in the classroom some things about himself and he obviously chose pictures from that summer camp. The other kids thought he was cool (!!!!) and mom had a big smile on her face."Claudia from Colorado"There are so few opportunities for our kids to participate in a true camp experience, but your program offered the perfect blend of athletic challenges, new experiences, familiar support, and skilled instruction tailored to our son's needs. We had a blast!"
Amy from New Jersey"Our son Sam had an opportunity to attend Extreme Sports Camp this summer. Sam is 6 now and spends a great deal of time stretching and building his intellectual mind with many adults evaluating and assessing him in a school setting…it’s the name of the game when it comes to education for him. When it came to attending an Extreme Sports Camp, he had a chance to bring balance into his life. For the first time he began to feel his body We truly believe that Sam’s experiences and accomplishments at camp built up his self-esteem and gave him a different type of confidence that kids on the autism spectrum deserve to have. With only encouragement and none of the scrutiny, Sam soared! Thank you for giving our son such a wonderful nurturing gift!"
Jim and Jill from Colorado" My son not only had the time of his life at this camp, but he was given the opportunity to overcome so many of his fears. Our children are not often challenged to the extent that I believe they should be, for their best benefit. This one week adventure provided a supportive environment that allowed him to experience many things beyond his typical boundaries, and gave him the chance to gain confidence, overcome fears and anxieties, and feel better about confronting new and not always so welcoming opportunities in the future. He cried when we had to leave and wanted to know when we could come back! That really says it all for me!
Laura from Tennessee