Camp Riley in Martinsville, Ind., empowers children with physical and developmental disabilities through life-changing week-long camp experiences tailored to their individual needs. Campers with physical and developmental disabilities, Down syndrome, craniofacial anomalies, sickle cell anemia, and other blood disorders can have fun while shattering limitations, making new friends and increasing their independence.

Camp Riley takes place at Indiana University’s Outdoor Center, Bradford Woods, with the support of Riley Children’s Foundation.  Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health provides 24-hour medical coverage for Camp Riley, including medical and nursing directors, resident physicians, nurses and a pharmacy team.

Camp Riley hosts eight camps each summer:

• Camp Riley 1 – Campers 8 to18 years old with physical disabilities needing a 1-to-1 ratio
• Camp Riley 2 – Campers 8 to18 years old with physical disabilities needing a 1-to-2  ratio
• Camp Riley 3 – Campers 8 to18 years old with physical disabilities needing a 1-to-3 ratio
• Camp Riley+ – Adults 18 and over with a physical disability needing a 1-to-1 ratio
• Camp About Face – Campers 8 to18 years old with craniofacial anomalies
• Camp Hi-Lite – Campers 8 to 22 years old with Down syndrome needing a 1-to-2 ratio
• Camp Independence – Campers 8 to 18 years old with sickle cell anemia and other blood disorders needing a 1-to-5 ratio
• Camp Kan Du – Campers 8 to 18 years old with a cognitive level ranging from birth to 48 months and with physical disabilities needing a 2-to-1 ratio

Apply for Camp Riley online.

Camp Riley also includes a “Beyond the Woods” mentor program for teens ages 14-18 with a physical disability. Campers are matched with adult mentors who have been through similar life experiences and can act as a source of empowerment and a resource for campers on a variety of topics, including personal challenges, next steps in education and career, and more. For more information about the Beyond the Woods program, please call (765) 342-2915.

For more information, please contact therapy@iu.edu or call (765) 349-5122.

The Ear Community provides a list of charities, foundations and organizations that offer financial assistance to families with children who need help with surgery to reconstruct the outer ear (microtia) and open the ear canal (atresia) to improve hearing.

The More Than Project is a non-profit that supports special needs families through resources for caregivers, siblings and diagnoses. It aims to empower the entire family unit with understanding, community and compassion. It offers help and support that includes:

• Two larger-scale, in-person retreats a year where caregivers can relax and get a much-needed respite
• The More Than A Sibling program offering grants to siblings of children with disabilities
• The More Than A Teacher program providing sensory rooms to schools, creating more inclusive environments for students

For questions, contact the More Than Project online.

The Central Illinois Transition Planning Committee (Central Illinois TPC) serves Peoria, Tazewell, Mason and Woodford counties. It helps connect parents, teachers, students and community members with resources to support students with disabilities in transitioning from secondary education to adult life.

Central Illinois TPC’s website provides a wide variety of information, including transition-to-adulthood community resources and a checklist, upcoming events, post-secondary college and training options, transportation resources for people with disabilities, and more. For more information, use the Central Illinois TPC’s Contact Us form.

 

Riley Children’s Foundation’s Camp About Face provides children born with a cleft lip or another craniofacial anomaly the chance to be themselves, make new friendships and build lasting skills that lead to a lifetime of success. Trained counselors act as positive role models, mentoring approximately 35 campers ages 8 to 18 each year.

Camp About Face also offers the Leadership Academy for campers ages 16 to 18 as a companion program to the traditional craniofacial camp. Participants arrive the weekend before Camp About Face begins and focus on leadership, self-reflection and other skills that will help them transition into adulthood.

Visit the Camp Riley website to learn more about camp dates and the application process.

For more information, call the Riley Children’s Hospital Cleft and Craniofacial Anomalies Department office at (317) 944-2489.

 

BIrth to Five Region 26 serves Fulton, Hancock, McDonough and Schuyler counties. Birth to Five is a network of local councils that listen to families to identify community needs, build sustainable services, and help families connect to the help they need. Region 26 resources and information include:

• Fulton, Hancock, McDonough and Schuyler County Mental and Behavioral Health Resources Guide
• NAMI’s West Central Illinois Behavioral Health Resource Guide
• The Region 26 newsletter
• The Royal Guide, a comprehensive list of resources for individuals and children who are on the spectrum

Association of Horizon is a non-profit organization in Chicago that provides opportunities for adults with and without physical disabilities to empower and enrich each other’s lives through lifelong friendships and recreation. Horizon’s flagship program is a week-long summer camp. The program pairs campers 18 and older with physical disabilities with a volunteer who helps them experience a range of adapted sports and other activities. Horizon also offers a weekly Zoom hangout, in-person events throughout the year and an annual Horizon Hope Grant.

For more information, contact the Association of Horizon at (773) 477-5170 or horizon@associationofhorizon.org.

Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA) in Lake Forest, Ill., offers programs for individuals ages 3 and up with physical or visual disabilities, such as amputation, cerebral palsy, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injury, spina bifida, stroke, visual impairment and more. GLASA offers more than 20 adaptive sports. Programs are adapted to meet the needs of individuals who use manual or power wheelchairs and other ambulatory disabilities. GLASA also offers an Ability Awareness Program for schools and community groups to help students participate, compete and thrive.

A GLASA membership is required to participate in GLASA’s weekly programs and access the anytime equipment lending program. Scholarships are available. GLASA will never turn anyone away due to financial hardship. Please contact Cindy Housner at chousner@glasa.org or (847) 283-0908 to request a scholarship or one free month of membership.

GLASA membership includes an anytime equipment lending program and information to help athletes stay up to date on programs.

FACES: The National Craniofacial Association is a voluntary, non-profit organization providing information, support and services, and financial assistance for medically necessary travel to children and adults throughout the United States with severe craniofacial anomalies resulting from birth defects, injuries or disease.

FACES financial assistance includes help with transportation costs, lodging, meals, toll fees, taxi/Uber fares, airfare, and, in some circumstances, rental cars. There are maximum limits per trip. Its application process looks at the whole picture, not just the numbers.

For any questions, please email Kim at kim@faces-cranio.org or call (800) 332-2373.

Birth to Five Illinois is a network of action and parent councils working to improve access to high-quality, sustainable Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services statewide. Birth to Five listens to families’ needs and helps them learn about and connect with local services. It also helps communities statewide build and sustain inclusive, high-quality Early Childhood services for all children and families.

Birth to Five Illinois has 39 regions throughout the state. Each region has its own Family Council and Action Council. Early Intervention (EI) and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) are critical parts of the ECEC system of support for children and families. Learn more about the councils, see the regional map and sign up for the Birth to Five Illinois newsletter.