LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Two annual summer camps hosted by Dreams with Wings are in full swing. The seven weeks, full-day camps are for children and young adults with autism and down syndrome.
Some activities taking place at the camp include bringing in guests to show campers how to do things like yoga or getting out into the community.
“A lot of times we just go out and do something fun like go to the movies,” said camper Wyatt Osman. “It’s really fun.”
Campers’ ages range from seven to 21 years old.
“A lot of these campers that are now about to age out have been here since they’re seven and they have very special bonds with each other,” said Ethan Osman, Wyatt’s dad and Dreams with Wings director of community support services.
There are two camps: one for participants on the autism spectrum and the other for campers with down syndrome.
This is now the 23rd year that the organization has held the summer camp, and it’s the only one of its kind in Kentucky.
“It started with three kids in a basement and now it has grown to over 100 children that are able to do something that gives them pride in what they do, friendships that last a long time, and really have the best summer that they could possibly have,” said Heather Sauer, the youth programs director.
Between both camps, there are about 110 campers this year.