Adventure Overnight Camp Gives Preteens and Teens a Real Taste of Nature
Melwood’s Camp Accomplish will begin its 16th year on June 16 offering 20 sessions of day, overnight and equestrian camps plus a new overnight camp for preteens and teens called Adventure Overnight Camp. Campers ages 10-18 participating in the new specialty camp, to be held in late July, will spend the week gaining basic outdoor survival skills, hiking, exploring the world through challenge courses, and experiencing what it’s like to sleep under the stars.
More than 600 day and overnight campers, ages 5-18, from Montgomery, Prince George’s, Charles County, Maryland and Northern Virginia will visit Camp Accomplish during this year’s summer camp season, which runs from June 16 – August 16. Camp Accomplish is one of only a few inclusionary camps in the country and the only one of its kind in Maryland. Located in Nanjemoy, Maryland, Melwood has welcomed 3,100 campers (including this summer’s expected attendees) since it opened its doors in 1998 and offers a variety of different activities including swimming, climbing wall and ropes courses, archery, creative arts, sports, canoeing, horseback riding, campfires, talent shows, and much more.
“Camp Accomplish is a special place for many reasons,” said Cari DeSantis, CEO of Melwood, one of the leading nonprofit organizations in Maryland serving people with disabilities. “Each year we look for new ways to help our campers stretch themselves and gain confidence through new experiences. The fact that we welcome more campers each year is a testament to the value and rewards of our inclusionary practices.”
At Camp Accomplish, the goal is to make each camper’s experience one in which they feel valued, accepted, challenged and most importantly, included. Each child tries activities at their own comfort level and strives to achieve their own personal success. The camp serves children of different ages and ability levels who have varied interests. The goal for each camper is to be fully physically and emotionally included in all camp activities.
In addition to the activities mentioned above, campers will enjoy unique features such as two high ropes courses and a 40×70 foot learning garden that features two 35-foot accessible planter boxes, herb garden planters and over 2000 square feet of plantable garden space. The garden features fruits, vegetables and more with the goal of summer campers being able to watch the produce at all stages of growth. In addition, the campers will enjoy “Nessie,” a stand-alone high challenge element consisting of two 40-foot poles connected by three free-swinging 4×4 beams, which lends itself to an intense teambuilding experience.
Camp Accomplish’s staff of 50 (majority between the ages of 18 and 26) is also unique, with more than half coming from the United Kingdom, Holland, South Africa, Australia, Hungar
