Meet the Pine Tree Campers

All this week, I'm going to introduce you to some of the people who enjoy the benefits of the Pine Tree Camp. You hear us asking for donations this time of year for our Egg Ride (which is coming up THIS Saturday), so I thought it would be great if you could see where your money goes!

Meet James!

There’s no doubt that sending your child to summer camp can be scary for any parent. That feeling increases exponentially if your child has a disability.

“You work so hard to help them become independent, but then it’s so hard to let go,” Jim Smith says.

Jim’s son, James, attended Pine Tree Camp for the first time last summer, his first time ever at any sort of summer camp.

“We didn’t tell him until we were at the entrance,” Smith smiled. “He wouldn’t have slept if we’d told him earlier.”

As Jim and James drove down the dirt road to Pine Tree Camp, both had questions reeling through their minds.

“We immediately were in awe of how many wheelchairs there where,” Smith recalls. “Neither of us had ever seen that many in one place before. We realized he was just ‘one of them.’”

With the immediate sense of inclusion, Jim and James were able to settle in to Pine Tree Camp quickly. Staying in the family cabin, Cabin 6, they were able to experience all that overnight camp has to offer. During his week, James enjoyed swimming, nature trail walks and fishing off a boat on North Pond.

“James loved the activities,” Smith says. “He’d never been fishing from a boat before and he was thrilled to try it.”

Jim and James will be back for camp this summer. Both are looking forward to it, for very different reasons.

“I just can’t say enough about the staff,” Smith says. “It’s such a remarkable group of individuals who step outside of themselves to ensure that everyone has a great time.”

Your support of the Q106.5 Celebrity Egg Ride continues the tradition of helping kids like James experience all that Pine Tree Camp has to offer. All money raised goes directly to Pine Tree Camp. The ride is coming up this Saturday so we need your help! There are several ways to donate. Call 991-9500 and make a pledge. Once the ride is over, we'll send a letter letting you know where to mail your donation. You can donate at our online site. Or stop by Danforth's Down Home Supermarket any afternoon this week between 2 and 6 and give your donation to JR. Thanks from everyone at the Pine Tree Camp and Q-106.5!