Student Council makes donation to Camp New Hope

By Kendra Hennis
Using the funds raised from their High School Winter Dance, the Tuscola Student Council raised enough money to send one lucky camper to Camp New Hope for the summer. 

Camp New Hope is a summer camp offered throughout June and July (with two weeks of day camp this summer), each with a special theme, special guest performances, and custom-themes activities and foods. 

Camp is filled with arts and crafts, music, and recreational activities, all adapted to individual campers’ needs. Swimming, boating, sports, and tournaments, fishing, and nature education fill camp days. 

Evenings conclude with group activities such as games, sing-a-longs, and stores and camp weeks culminate with an award ceremony for campers, parents, and families. 

Camp New Hope’s Summer Camp lets special needs campers experience everyday activities such as slumber parties, camping, boating, and fishing, just like their non-disabled peers. Camp New Hope adapts activities to each camper instead of the individual adapting to the activity. 

About Camp New Hope
Camp New Hope is a year around recreational experience for those eight years old and above with developmental and physical disabilities. 

Camp New Hope lies on forty-one rolling acres on the shores of Lake Mattoon, which brings campers the excitement of fishing, and pontoon boat rides plus much more. 

There are multiple programs available at Camp New Hope, the Summer Camp Program which is an overnight week-long summer camp experience; the Respite Program which provides caregivers an opportunity to take a break from caring for their disabled loved one, while knowing they are in a safe, caring environment; or the Bowling Program which is open to individuals with disabilities who are eight-years old and above.

For more information, please visit the Camp New Hope website at campnewhopeillinois.org.