Camp Pacifica promotes self-confidence

By Aaron Warn / Community Correspondent

(Updated: Thursday, May 14, 2009, 5:54 PM)

With school almost out, kids are already gearing up for summer camp, and tucked away in Nipinnawasee, is one with a special mission.

Ask Lions Club Camp board members Don Allen and Diane Peterson what made them decide to be involved with a camp for hearing-impaired children and they both give the same answer: love for the kids.

"Fifteen years ago a friend of mine took me (to the camp) and I saw how much fun the kids were having and the smiles on their faces," Allen said. "I was hooked from there."

Allen joined the board of directors for the camp in 1994 as secretary. He is now president and has the responsibility of overseeing the entire operation.

Peterson was an educator for 38 years and always had a knack for helping special-needs children. When she saw the kids at Camp Pacifica, she just couldn't say no. She is now chairman of the Camp Pacifica region that includes Oakhurst, Mariposa, Chowchilla and Yosemite National Park.

"I was in awe at what these kids could overcome," Peterson said. "I do this to work with the kids. The best part is just knowing you're making a difference in their lives."

The Lions Club Camp was established in 1978 when the organization had an opportunity to purchase Camp Pacifica. The 52-acre property is located about nine miles from Oakhurst on Highway 49.

The goal is to promote self-confidence among the campers while giving them a chance to interact with other kids.

"The campers are in an environment where they are all the same and that makes them feel very comfortable," Allen said. "Everyone at the camp is deaf, but they all know sign language as well. It's just a chance for them to have fun and be around kids who are just like them."

The camp is held in July and draws about 150 campers every year ranging in age from 7 to 16. Once a camper is over the age of 16, he or she has the opportunity to become a camp counselor.

Campers take part in swimming, horseback riding, arts and crafts, nature walks, archery and canoeing, but Peterson says the kids look forward to one activity more than any other.

"The kids love to dance," she said. "We turn the music up really loud and they can feel the beat of the music pounding on their chests and feet. They get up and dance to it all at once. They're pretty darling."

Allen agreed that the dancing is one of the highlights of camp.

"It just makes you smile to watch them," he said. "They stomp their feet and clap their hands to the beat of the music. It's pretty amazing how loud they can be."

What's more amazing is that the majority of the camp staff are volunteers. Counselors, nurses, cooks and even pilots dedicate their time to make sure the children have a memorable summer.

"A lot of our counselors are students at deaf colleges who all know sign language," Allen said. "Some are from Fresno, Cal State Northridge, and even Washington, D.C."

Volunteer pilots pick up kids from all over and fly them to Mariposa for free. And over the years people have donated money and energy into improving the Camp Pacifica facilities.

"Our volunteers are very dedicated," Allen said, noting they fixed the water system and added a pool.

Peterson has been one of the most involved volunteers the Lions Club Camp has had. She has often driven kids to camp if they did not have their own transportation. Her fondest memory of those trips was just seeing the eagerness of the kids as they made their way to camp.

"I would always try to be the 'good grandma' and ask the kids if they wanted to stop at Burger King or something to get something to eat," she said. "And they just all say 'no, we want to get to camp already'. They just all have the best time when they're at camp."

The camp has created so much buzz that it has drawn attention from children overseas. Just last year kids from China made the trip to Camp Pacifica to enjoy the fun-filled week. Peterson said they took notice of some of the positive values displayed by Americans during their visit.

"They were so impressed with the sensitivity we have towards people who are disabled in this country," she said.

Entering its 31st year in operation, the camp will hold its week-long first session starting July 26 and its second session on Aug 2. Allen said there is a little something special in store for the kids this year.

"We're going to take the kids to Yosemite this time around," Allen said. Most of these kids have never been to Yosemite. Actually a lot of adults have never even been there, so these kids should be in for a treat."

Not only will they be taking in the beautiful views of Half Dome, but they'll also have the chance to go on a guided tour through the Yosemite Valley floor. A tour guide who can use sign language will be used.

"We do our best to make the kids feel as comfortable as possible," Allen said. "We want them to be able to experience things they might have thought they never would have."

Don't think the kids are the only ones enjoying themselves, though.

Peterson calls the camp "a wonderful experience" and something she will always cherish.

Allen said the feeling when you see the kids is like no other.

"Sometimes I feel like we get more out of it then they do," he said.