Camp Aldersgate Counselors-in-Training
Caroline Baker, Charles “Cruz” Smith, Yashika Bhagat
This remarkable group of young leaders dedicate time and energy to individuals with special needs and medical conditions: kids at Camp Aldersgate. Situated on 100 acres, Camp Aldersgate provides inclusive experiences for children and families throughout the year. Summer camps are hosted for children with specific medical conditions including muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, diabetes, cardiac conditions, asthma, cancer, bleeding disorders and more. In addition, Kota Camps invite participants to share this opportunity with friends and siblings. The Counselors-in-Training learn camp rules, activities, team building, basic personal care and disability etiquette. During the summer of 2024, 164 trainees contributed nearly 21,000 service hours to the camp.
The Camp Aldersgate Counselors-in-Training program offers high school and college students hands-on training in adaptive recreation and care. Many participants are interested in careers in healthcare and related industries. Not only does the program advance these aspirations; campers benefit from a summer of fun – more than 300 from across the state. This volunteer work reduces staffing expenses with additional affordability offered to families. Additionally – it cultivates compassionate, empathic, skilled future healthcare workers.
The program is designed to be sustainable and replicable. Emma Blosfelds elaborates, “Because it’s embedded into summer operations at Camp Aldersgate, these young volunteers return year after year increasing skills and responsibilities.” The curriculum aligns with a grant program through the American Camp Association. It includes standardized educational camps, clinics, or youth organizations across the country. It offers meaningful volunteer engagement and workforce development for young adults. “The training model blends professional instruction with real-world experience and addresses the national shortage of healthcare and helping professionals. It creates a space for compassionate young people to become aware, build character, and develop their career that will truly help all those they encounter.”
For more than 75 years, Camp Aldersgate has created memories as unique as the campers – empowering and honoring diversity and special needs as a beacon of hope, rather than a disability. The Counselors-in-Training program cultivates the next generation of business and civic leaders. “Like Camp Aldersgate – it fosters empathy and equity.”
