Camp No Limits Website:
Contact email: Mary at
campnolimits@yahoo.com Phone: 207.240.5762
Camp No Limits is a non-profit organization 501 (c)(3) providing camps for children with limb loss, and education, mentorship, and support to these children and their families.
My daughter's family testimony We attended our first Camp No Limits in Maryland, 2011 held at the North Bay Adventure Camp. We immediately fell in love with CNL - the spirit, heart and inspiration that we have found in this amazing family!! Our daughter, Chloe is a BK (Above the Knee) amputee since the age of 3. Camp had an immediate impact on Chloe, she had finally found a safe place to be herself and with overwhelming joy she realized that she was not the only one walking this journey. Chloe's confidence level has grown incredibly as well as her dreams and goals! Our family has been so blessed by the support and encouragement we have received by the staff, other parents, the mentors and the other campers. We have realized that there are NO LIMITS for our daughter, that anything is possible and to never settle!! It has been amazing and life changing for our family and we can only hope to share that with the people around us. Camp No Limits is the highlight of our year and we try to make it to as many as we possible can!! :)
From the founder, Mary Leighton, "Camp No Limits dream all started with a little 2 1/2 year old boy named Nicholas who had a big smile, a spark in his eye, and who was missing three limbs. I was working at a private pediatric therapy clinic and Nicholas was my first patient with limb loss. Throughout his therapy he constantly amazed me with his determination and his willingness to try anything that was asked of him. He took his first steps at age 3, was more than thrilled when he was able to feed himself with a spoon and wash his face with his body powered prosthesis. I became determined to make sure that this boy never lost his drive to succeed, and to ensure that he never had limits imposed on his potential.
In 2004, while brainstorming how to motivate others with limb loss to reach their potential, a fellow OT suggested a camp to educate children AND their families in the importance of physical and occupational therapy, adaptations, prosthetic options, and peer support. Research revealed that
NO such camp existed, and my mission was born."
Camp No Limits is the
only camp for young people with limb loss and their families, creating a network of support for all the campers. Camp No Limits offers therapeutic programs with specialized professionals, including physical and occupational therapists, prosthetists and adult amputee role models. Each year, Camp No Limits continues to grow in size with currently 11 camps nationwide; Maine, Missouri, Maryland, Florida, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, California and in New Brunswick, Canada.
Mission: To educate and empower young people with limb loss to discover and develop a healthy, happy and independent lifestyle.
Vision: To be the leading camp for young people with limb loss, in the United States and abroad, recognized for camper satisfaction, age specific physical and social skill development, amputee education and peer support.
Certified professionals offer a modified Pilates program for fitness training for campers. Children with limb loss are at risk for developing muscle atrophy on the affected side and scoliosis due to limb loss. For these children the ability to develop the needed core muscle strength, flexibility, and coordination is crucial for symmetrical muscle development and postural alignment. These programs aim to instill a fun and positive attitude towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
All activities offered incorporate family members as well with specific group sessions for sibling and parents as well when appropriate to address the needs of families living with individuals with limb loss.
Education:
Certified prosthetists and therapists, adult amputees, and various organizations will be available to answer questions and provide information on local resources. Open forums are scheduled to discuss topics of interest or concerns of both campers and their families.
Peer Support:
In a supportive, safe, and confidential environment campers and their families share thoughts, feeling, concerns, and successes about living with limb loss. Amputees, who are Amputee Coalition of America certified peer supporters, lead child and teen support group sessions addressing age appropriate issues.
Physical Therapy:
Specialized professionals educate campers in the proper way to run, bike, ascend/descend stairs and ramps and fall safely. How to prevent or correct abnormal posture and gait deviations are discussed.
Occupational Therapy:
Specialized professionals educate campers in efficient methods to complete daily activities such as: dressing, bathing, grooming, meals preparation, writing, and cutting. General suggestions on proper techniques using adaptive and prosthetic devices are discussed.
Sports & Recreation:
Team Sports: Soccer, Frisbee, Football, Softball, & Human Foosball.
Water craft: Canoeing, Kayaking, and Water skiing/tubing (adaptive devices will be available)
Biking Clinic: Demonstrations on using adaptive devices.
Creative Arts & MusicArts & Crafts: A wide variety of crafts and projects involving unilateral and bilateral hand use are offered. Therapists will be available to encourage and adapt activities for campers with and without the use of an upper extremity prosthesis.
Music and Drama: Opportunities for acting, dancing, singing, and playing instruments are part of camp activities with instruction on the use of adaptive equipment if needed.
SPONSORSHIP NEEDED!!Each family is responsible to raise the funds necessary to attend Camp No Limits. Charitable donations given to Camp No Limits can enable a child in need to attend Camp. Camp Fees are as follows ---
Actual costs for attendees is $500 per person however, we fund raise to get costs for families at the following rate:
$350 per camper and siblings
$300 per parent/adult
Campers under 3: free at most locations
Fees include meals, lodging and most activities.
Individually Sponsor a Camper
As a camp sponsor, your business or organization will be invited to visit the camp and spend time with a very special group of children. You’ll see the joy that your support for CNL camp creates.
Be a sponsor and help youngsters with limb loss and limb difference in your community experience a week of fun and friendship they’ll never forget! By providing a sponsorship, you can help can a child's life be changed forever!
Get your employer involved involved
When you sign up for workplace giving or take advantage of your employer’s matching gift program, you maximize the impact your donation has on these efforts.
Workplace Giving: Workplace giving is a simple and effective way for you to support Camp No Limits through automated payroll deductions which allows employees to make regular donations through payroll deductions.
Matching Gifts: Many employers will match your donation to Camp No Limits — meaning that your gift has double the impact on our efforts to keep vital programs and services viable and growing. Matching your gift is easy. Check with your HR Department to see if your company will match your gift