Five Years of the Honors Program’s Alternate Break Trip to Camp Blue Skies at Camp Twin Lakes
Camp Blue Skies at Camp Twin Lakes with Georgia Southern – 2015 (photo courtesy of Camp Blue Skies)
A five year milestone was reached this spring break as honors program students again volunteered their time with Camp Blue Skies, a camp for adults with developmental disabilities. The camp partners with Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, GA to give its campers a fun-filled week of activities like paddle-boating, zip-lining, sports, and arts and crafts. Dr. Jerri Kropp (Child and Family Development) and Dr. Brent Wolfe (Therapeutic Recreation) have led the trip all five years. A handful of students have participated in this trip each of their four years at Georgia Southern, and this year featured the return of some alternate break trip alumni.
Camp Blue Skies promotes recreation and socialization, but the students often find that the camp teaches many life skills. “My experience at Camp Twin Lakes opened my heart in so many ways. Being with the Camp Blue Skies staff and campers reminded me that it’s okay to be myself,” said Morgan Herrington (Therapeutic Recreation ‘17). She added, “Being your own individual helps others feel comfortable in their own skin, and it opens so many doors for friendship.”
Camp Blue Skies founder and director, Dick Sesler, is each year impressed by the amount of energy and enthusiasm the Georgia Southern students bring to the week at camp. “I tell people that after seeing these students in action, I know the future is in good hands,” he said.
Herrington says that the week is a great experience, one that all honors students should consider. “It opens your eyes to many different ways of life, and it helps you adapt to circumstances that you may never think of. You become aware of more things, such as living with a disability, but you become more accepting also,” said Herrington.
Posted in Uncategorized
