Parent: Profile of a special-needs camper
By Kate Jonuska • Pikes Peak Parent
Colorado-Springs resident Ben Roina has six words to describe his camping experiences at Rocky Mountain Village: “Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun.” The 33-year-old Roina, who is developmentally disabled, has escaped the city for the weeklong, Easter Seals’ summer camp for the last three years.
It’s a welcome break for Ben, who works for Goodwill Industries and recently moved into his own apartment in Manitou Springs. “Part of going to camp is to get away from, to get away and have a good time and meet friends,” says Ben. “There’s a view of the mountains up there. It’s different scenery. They got cabins and a lake and a swimming pool and a hot tub.”
While his favorite activities include fishing, swimming and the dances the camp hosts, Ben also gets to play sports, interact with horses, do arts and crafts, go on occasional fieldtrips and more.
“Also, I help out with flag-raising in the mornings,” Ben explains. “We meet at the campfire and get to know everyone up there … There’s lots of nighttime activities. They’re very fun.”
And Ben participates in all this fun with the friendship and guidance of his personal counselor. Last year, that was R.J. — aka “Rompin’ R.J.” due to 2007’s rodeo theme.
“I really liked it because it was oneon-one, and that’s really unique. They shower him with attention,” says mother Darlene. At first, “I didn’t know if he would like it, but once he started, there was no stopping him.”
With the help of a scholarship, Ben pays for his summer camp with his own money, and he looks forward to the trip to Rocky Mountain Village for months in advance.
“I’m going to meet a couple new friends this year,” says Ben. He also hopes his team will win the award for the fastest cabin cleaning, which just escaped him last summer. “I was second place this year and the winner gets a special surprise.”
Darlene knows the real prize for her son is that Rocky Mountain Village is there to offer Ben such a great escape. “I think it’s good just to get away and break routine, and it’s special for Ben,” she notes. “It’s not a family vacation. It’s not something to share. It’s just for himself.”
CLICK HERE to view a PDF of this article, which was published in the April 2008 Pikes Peak Parent.
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