The Greater Richmond ARC’s Camp Baker at 7600 Beach Road in Chesterfield today announced its respite weekend schedule for children (ages six to seventeen) and adults (ages eighteen and older) with disabilities for 2018.
For teenager Dean Smith and his family, respite weekends at Camp Baker provide “a very liberating” break, says his mom Suzanne. “He’s safe and having fun, and we have peace of mind. You feel like you can just exhale. I know he’s in good hands.”
“Our weekend respite program at Camp Baker is growing and more fun than ever,” added Matt Hulcher, director of Camp Baker services. “Our staff has done an amazing job of making our program feel more like a camp experience for the individuals we serve. By incorporating activities like arts and crafts, talent shows, and nature walks that utilize the entire campus, program participants get to truly enjoy a camp experience.”
Camp Baker is a 22-acre, handicap accessible, wooded facility that provides programming for people with disabilities year-round. On tap this year for respite: a Richmond Symphony performance, as well as local sporting events and plays, and Respite Field Day with face painting and a dance competition.
Respite sessions for children will be held Friday through Sunday on the following dates in 2018: February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4, June 1, July 6, August 31, September 28, October 26, and November 30.
Adult sessions in 2018 include: February 9, 16, and 23; March 9,16, and 23; April 13, 20, and 27; May 11, 18, and 25; June 8, 22, and 29; July 13, 20, and 27; August 3, 10, and 24; September 7, 14, and 21; October 5,12, and 19; November 2,9, and 16; and December 7, and 14.
The cost is approximately $13.43 per hour (or the equivalent in Medicaid respite waiver hours), with scholarships available for eligible families.
For more information about the respite program and cost, call (804) 748-4879 or visit richmondarc.org.
About the Greater Richmond ARC In partnership with families, the Greater Richmond ARC creates life-fulfilling opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Founded in 1954, we are an organization created by families, for families; an organization that has grown to provide a continuum of programs and services for individuals with disabilities across the lifespan. Programs spanning the lifecycle and assisting people with disabilities to live happy, successful and meaningful lives include: Infant & Child Development Services; After School & Day Support Services; ARC Employment Services; and Camp Baker Summer and Respite Services.
Read this article from RFM about ARC Park in Richmond here.
