They’re all stars at camp
Trevor and Steven Kirsebom have a busy two weeks ahead of them, what with the trips to the IMAX Theater in Spokane, Tito Macaroni’s in Coeur d’Alene and, yes, the trip to see “The Polar Express.”
The brothers, 15 and 17 years old, are spending their winter break away from Post Falls High School with Specialized Needs Recreation’s Camp Allstar program. Camp Allstar is meant to give children and young adults with disabilities a chance to meet new friends and be comfortable, said SNR executive director Angie Goucher.
“They actually get the opportunity to make true and lasting friendships without being judged or ridiculed,” Goucher said of the children who attend the camp. “They can come and be themselves without the pressures of the outside world.”
Goucher and one other full-time SNR staff member – along with a myriad of young volunteers – help run the camp, which serves children when school is not in session during summer, winter and spring breaks.
“We do crafts, cooking and games,” Goucher said. “And any and every place Kootenai County has to offer we take advantage of.”
Monday the boys, along with eight other day campers, colored, tossed balls around and chatted with each other. The Kirsebom boys and some friends were busy playing UNO, which Steven brought to camp.
Dressed in a green hooded sweat shirt, black sweat pants and his red and white Starter sneakers, Trevor squinted through his gold-rimmed glasses at his cards and smiled as he placed one down on the table at Winton Elementary.
The boys both enjoy sports, their mother, Deena Kirsebom said, and they are fanatics about the Seattle Mariners and Seahawks.
Trevor was not bothered the Seahawks lost on Sunday, he said with an ear-to-ear grin plastered on his face.
“I like visiting with my friends,” Trevor said when he explained why he likes attending the day camp.
Steven said he likes the camp too, but loves playing the Nintendo Gamecube even more.
Deena Kirsebom, who volunteered during SNR’s summer session called the camp a “godsend” that gives disabled children experiences they might not otherwise have.
It also allows for the children to get out of a cramped house where they might just sit around playing video games. Despite Steven’s penchant for Nintendo, Deena said the boys get extremely excited when they know camp is a few days away on the calendar.
“They went to Papa Murphy’s Pizza last year and got to make a pizza,” she said. “As parents, you know, you don’t just go in and say, ‘Hey can we make our pizza?’ “
The camp allows the children to be themselves, and they are comfortable around others like them, Deena Kirsebom said.
“They’re all accepted for whoever they are,” she said. “They don’t have to try to fit in, they just fit in. And the volunteers, who are wonderful, also accept them and they see that so they know they’re special because someone cares.”
The boys and the rest of the gang will spend the next two weeks on projects, like making Christmas gifts for their parents, and field trips, such as a trip to the IMAX Theater in Spokane and the Lakewood Ranch retirement home to visit with the elderly and play Bingo.
Monday, as the boys sat in a circle and snapped out quick answers to questions from Goucher, they smiled and clapped when they heard their itinerary. It would seem like nothing dull could happen during their busy two weeks.
Camp Allstar runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Dec. 31 and ages 4-21 are welcome to attend. The cost is $10 per day and scholarships are available.
SNR is a nonprofit agency affiliated with the United Way of Kootenai County. It also receives various grants from the Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls Parks and Recreation departments.
Like other nonprofits in the area, Goucher said SNR received less government funding this year, so it has relied on donations from local businesses and individuals to compensate.
For more information or to enroll, call Goucher at (208) 769-2317 or (208) 755-6781.