Camp Smile

OK, Moms, listen up. All of our kids need a little something special to help them succeed in life. And, today, I am going to tell you about a summer camp that provides just that. It literally changes lives. It's United Cerebral Palsy's Camp Smile.

It's a camp designed to help kids and adults with special needs. Camp smile is just like any other summer camp. It's a sleep-away camp. Campers go for a week at a time and each week is divided up by age. We visited the camp last week, the campers were ages nine through 13. They're having a great time!

"They've got all kinds of activities, including fishing, horse shows, and talent shows. They've got everything a camper could ever want. It's just amazing," says 12-year-old, Ethan Taylor.

Camp smile goes on for four weeks each summer. Counselors, organizers, volunteers and families all say it's just a really great opportunity for everyone involved all the way around.

"When you go out and you are engaging in fun swimming or horseback riding or going down the ropes course that we have, that's a summertime experience that you will remember for your whole life, " explains UCP's Marty Wheeler.

United Cerebral Palsy of Mobile offers all kinds of other opportunities. UCP works with hundreds of families in our community. The non-profit organization specializes in helping people with special needs. Their programs start as early as birth.

If you have a family member with special needs, you can contact UCP and the folks there can point you in whatever direction you need. They'll help connect you with therapists, programs, services -- really whatever you need. There are all kinds of things available in our community.

For more information on United Cerebral Palsy of Mobile and all the programs and services available, go to  http://www.ucpmobile.org . And, to find out how you can get involved in Camp Smile - they are always looking for volunteers - or if you'd like to be a camper, go to campsmilemobile.com .