| Camp Virginia Jaycee is a year round residential outdoor recreation and educational facility for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Camp, a 501 (c) 3 organization, is located on 90 acres in Bedford, Virginia. Originally sponsored jointly by The Virginia Jaycees and the Virginia Association for Retarded Children, the Camp now functions as a separate non-profit corporation. The idea of establishing a camp for children with special needs first originated in 1969 when a young Jaycee from Roanoke, Bill Robertson, saw the need and convinced The Virginia Jaycees to sell apple jelly in order to build a camp. Since that time, the Jaycees of Virginia have raised funds for land acquisition, buildings, renovations, and camperships. Today many other organizations and individuals partner with Camp Virginia Jaycee to bring services to people with special needs. The local Hampton Roads Jaycees chapters are actively involved in supporting the camp and its vital mission of providing outdoor recreational and educational experiences to the mentally disabled. Children and adults with special needs can be helped physically, mentally, and emotionally by an outdoor education and recreation experience. Yet the National Association for Retarded Children has pointed out that only a small percentage of the citizens with these disabilities have actually been involved in existing tax supported public recreational facilities and programs. Camp Virginia Jaycee brings these special people such an experience. The programs at Camp Virginia Jaycee are designed to give campers new outdoor experiences that provide opportunities for socialization and recreation. Current activity areas provided by the Camp include swimming, arts and crafts, barn and horseback riding, music, sports and recreation, rock wall, and tent camping and nature. In addition, each evening, campers enjoy various programs such as dances, hayrides, talent and skit shows, campfire programs, scavenger hunts, puppet shows, singing, and carnivals, outside bands, magicians, and horse shows. These programs give enjoyment and foster socialization skills. Unfortunately, an incident earlier this summer caused the camp to close its doors for several weeks, resulting in severe financial strain on the organization which depends on the revenue from the camper fees. This could possibly force the camp to limit its services and programs in the future – programs like summer camp, day camp, as well as year-round respite weekends designed to give caregivers and family members a much needed break. The Oceanfront Jaycees have held their annual Pig Out fundraiser every fall for fourteen years to help raise funds and awareness for Camp Virginia Jaycee. This year’s event will happen September 19, 2009 at the KOA Kampground and feature live music and a nationally sanctioned BBQ competition with competitor teams from all over the eastern seaboard. “We believe its very important to support special organizations like Camp Virginia Jaycee”, says Sabitha Venkatesh, the Community Development director of the Oceanfront Jaycees, “that’s why we not only work with the camp, but also other local organizations like CLASP. Part of the Jaycees’ creed is that ‘service to humanity is the best work of life’, we really try to embody that principle.” More information about Camp Virginia Jaycee and ways to help can be found at www.campvajc.org. For more information about The Oceanfront Jaycees 14th Annual Pig Out Challenge please go to www.ofjc.org . Benefit for Camp Virginia Jaycee
Sept 19, 2009 • 11:00am-7:00pm
KOA Campground, Virginia Beach, VA
Featuring the KCBS-sanctioned Pig Out Challenge BBQ Contest
Become a sponsor and support this wonderful cause!
Your sponsorship is fully tax deductible!
Enjoy an afternoon with tons of food, friends, music, raffles and all for charity. Have a team for the BBQ competition? Interested in judging?
Contact Heather Miller at pigoutofjaycees@gmail.com for more information! |
