Adventure Amputee Camp

The Adventure Amputee Camp (AAC) has been in action since 1995. This totally volunteer organization began as the Amputees Coming Together Kids Camp, and was reorganized in 2006 to become the Adventure Amputee Camp, Inc. The mission of the Adventure Amputee Camp is to encourage children with amputations or limb differences to stretch their potential and imagination, and explore all that is possible.

Activities during the camp are designed to provide children with amputations the opportunity to stretch their reality and imagination of what is possible to achieve. Activities range from highly physically challenging to sedentary and entertaining and broaden the emotional and mental resources of the camper as she or he strives to meet a personal challenge or goal. Some activities may be less physically stressful, yet provide campers with experiences that were previously untried, unobtainable, or unimaginable. Healthy social contact is also a crucial component of the Adventure Amputee Camp, and is one of the strengths of the camp. By interacting with peers and adult volunteers who have amputations, the campers build a bridge to the possible, rather than the impossible by seeing subtle and overt examples of persons with fulfilled lives.

The 2010 summer camp marked the 16th season of the camp and was held at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City, NC. Campers range in age from 8-17 and the camper to counselor ratio is 2:1. Invited volunteer counselors include those with amputations who are 18 years old and over.

Campers and volunteers have come from twelve states in the Midwest and Southeast. The camp can support up to 34 campers and has had a waiting list since 2002. Each year over 50% of the participants return to camp.

Financial support for the camp is provided through two sources: fundraising and contributions of time and materials from volunteer leadership, counselors and supporters. The camp relies heavily on donations from individuals and businesses.