On a hot midday in June, suitcase in one hand and duffle bag in the other, Camper Randall Snow walked down the tunnel of cheers and whistles that rang from the counselors at Camp Sunshine. For the 30th year in a row, Snow was back at camp. He greeted his favorite counselor, Ryan Montgomery. Montgomery shares Snow’s excitement, equally thrilled to begin their week at camp together.
The much anticipated week at camp had arrived. The campers and counselors eagerly waited for this time of year.  “Just like most of our campers, I too am so excited to come back to camp every year!” said Counselor and West Ottawa junior Ava Cooke.

Spirits were high as campers and counselors stepped on the gravel grounds of Camp Blodgett, where Camp Sunshine was hosted. As each camper checked in, they were greeted by an ecstatic group of counselors and volunteers cheering and welcoming them. Campers went through the tunnel smiling and waving to their friends and familiar faces, thrilled to be at camp.
Since 1983, Camp Sunshine has been a place for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to have fun summer camp experiences. Each camper was paired one-to-one with a volunteer counselor and spent their week doing fun camp activities together. An average day at camp included many sessions of singing and dancing under the Big Top tent in the camp parking lot, meals in the joyfully loud cafeteria, and free time for any camp activity the camper desires. Camp Sunshine strives to be a place of love and inclusivity, as well as just an average summer camp experience for the campers.
However, to many counselors, Camp Sunshine was not just an average summer camp experience. One part that sets Camp Sunshine apart from other summer camp experiences is the peer-to-peer bonds formed between campers and counselors. Camp Sunshine was an eye-opening opportunity. Every day for the whole week, counselors experienced the pure-hearted love and joy from each camper and witnessed the amazing abilities and talents campers portrayed despite their disabilities.
“What makes Camp Sunshine so special to me is the relationships I’ve formed with campers,” Cooke said.

She continued to describe one relationship that she has with Snow. Cooke is Snow’s friend from previous years at camp. She mentioned how she and Snow communicate every day whether that is on the phone, or seeing him at work. Cooke and Snow also spend time together outside of camp. They regularly attend church or get ice cream together. Lifelong friends can be made at Camp Sunshine.
“I went out when I was a senior in high school, and have been going ever since,” West Ottawa Special Education teacher and Camp Sunshine volunteer Brianna Thompson said.

She said that Camp Sunshine is unique because of how loving and joyful the environment is. Thompson goes back every year because she adores it.

“I find myself coming back to it every year,” counselor and West Ottawa junior Owen Graham said.

He said camp is a fun time but also has tremendous impacts on its participants. Counselors look forward to participating in camp just as much as the campers do.
Camp Sunshine has many activities and experiences for the campers, but one stood out specifically – the talent show. This activity occurred on the week’s second to last day under the Big Top tent. The campers got to step on a stage and express themselves in front of the camp. Not only were they safe and comfortable, but they also got to show their talents despite their disabilities.
“The talent show is the best part of camp,” Graham said.

He said the week had not been off to a great start with poor weather, but the talent show brightened his day. Seeing his camper, Issac, sing “Crocodile Rock” was the highlight of his week. For many campers and counselors, the talent show is the best night of the whole camp experience. “The talent show I would give an A+,” Snow said.

Campers loved the talent show and cannot wait to be on stage again. Snow already has his show planned out for next year but said, “I can’t tell ya, it’s secret stuff I’ll be doing.”

Whether it’s singing at the top of his lungs or knocking over every pin while bowling, each act is celebrated just as equally.
Camp Sunshine aims to provide a standard summer camp experience for campers, but for many counselors, it becomes much more profound due to the peer-to-peer bonds formed and the joy experienced with campers. Universally summer camps are fun, but Camp Sunshine is just a little more.

This story was originally published on The West Ottawan on September 19, 2024.