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href="history.htm">History</a></p> <p><a href="founding_board.htm">Founding Board</a></p> <p><a href="contact.htm">Contact Us</a></p> <p><a href="benefits_of_camp.htm">Benefits of the Camping Experience</a></p> <p><a href="guestbook.aspx">Guestbook</a></p> <p><a href="questions.htm">Questions &amp; Answers</a></p> </div> <div id="col_right"><img src="../images/title_about.gif" alt="About Us" width="503" height="62" /> <h1>Background Information</h1> <p>During 2008, a group of long-time volunteers for Camp Rainbow, an American Cancer Society summer camp for pediatric cancer patients, began discussing the need for the construction of a camping facility for chronically ill children in the State of Mississippi. The idea was to build a &ldquo;super&rdquo; camp designed uniquely for children with special health needs.&nbsp; In order to accomplish this goal, the group sought to answer these questions:</p> <ol> <li>What camps for children with special health needs exist in this area?</li> <li>Who are the potential user groups for a single-camp facility for children with special needs?</li> <li>What specific requirements would each potential user group have for a camp facility?</li> <li>Are there documented therapeutic benefits of camps for chronically ill children?</li> <li>Are there existing models for a camp for children with special health needs?</li> <li>What camp facilities are currently available in this area for children with special health needs? </li> </ol> <p>Based upon this research, in the fall of 2008, the group determined that a foundation should be established to pursue two separate but not unrelated goals. The first of these goals was to develop a coalition among the various camps for children with special health needs. The purpose of this would be to provide a cooperative effort in programming, information sharing, fund raising, soliciting donations and developing community awareness and support. The second goal was to develop a plan of action for establishing a single-site facility for the potential user groups.</p> <p>In order to pursue these goals, the group formed Mississippi&rsquo;s Toughest Kids Foundation (MTK), an IRS Code Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity. An executive board was established, consisting of Mary Kitchens, Dan Kitchens, Ruth Wilkinson, David Wilkinson and Billy Boykin.&nbsp; </p> <div id="separator"></div> <h2>Needs Assessment</h2> <p>Mississippi does not have a camp devoted solely to children with special needs, although there are many groups around our state holding camps for these kids. These are great camps, organized and staffed with volunteers who lease church camps or state parks for their camp. As wonderful as these facilities are, they were created to provide camp for children of their denomination or for tourists on vacation. Scheduling is a problem when leasing someone else s camp. Only groups bringing kids with special needs will be using our camp...problem solved!</p> <p>Often other facilities don&#39;t have an infirmary, making the job of the nurses very difficult. Usually there aren t more than one or two toilet stalls or showers large enough for a child needing assistance. None of these camps have sidewalks connecting all the buildings and leading to activities, making it hard for children in wheel chairs, those using walkers, or the blind to move around camp. Pool access can be a serious challenge to some.</p> <p>The benefits of a single facility for these groups are numerous. A single facility would ensure the availability of prime summer weeks to these groups. It would also ensure a cooperative effort in programming, volunteer recruitment and solicitation of donated goods. Costs could be cut through group purchasing of medical supplies, crafts and other program supplies, insurance and food. Through the use of a single facility, the facility itself, as well as the staff (program director, cooks, maintenance, housekeeping, life guards and others leading program areas), would be geared specifically to children with special health and sometimes dietary needs. Finally, this would ensure an equal camping opportunity for all children. </p> <div id="separator"></div> <h2>Facility Requirements</h2> <p>Based upon a survey of the potential user groups, the facility would need to include the following:</p> <ul> <li>Main lodge/dining hall with a capacity of 300 and possibly include sleeping facilities for staff;</li> <li>16-18 cabins with bathrooms (including a few with bath tubs);</li> <li>Infirmary with sleeping quarters for nurses and doctors, an isolation room, examining room, treatment room, large supply closet and attractive waiting room;</li> <li>Gym with volleyball/basketball court and maybe even baseball;</li> <li>Arts and crafts pavilion;</li> <li>Recreation facilities: pool, sports fields, lake for fishing and canoeing, ropes course, horse stables, campfire areas, tree house, play ground;</li> <li>Theater with stage, dressing rooms, music rooms, etc.;</li> <li>&nbsp;Smooth roadways connecting all buildings and activities;</li> <li>All buildings with heating and air conditioning;</li> <li>Chapel Business;</li> <li>Offices;</li> <li>Camp Director s home; and,</li> <li>Within an hour of Jackson and major medical centers, plus an area for helicopter to land if one were ever necessary.</li> </ul> <div id="separator"></div> <h2> Site Investigation</h2> <p>The site investigation committee, chaired by Dan Kitchens, is working to find land for the camp. The facility would be built on about 70 acres, but it would be desirable to have from 150-200 acres to allow for growth, nature trails, camp outs and a natural buffer around the camp.</p> <p>As soon as land is actually purchased, many committees will be formed to develop the camp design (both the physical design and mission) and direction of the camp. Please contact us if you would be interested in serving on one of the many committees that are being formed.</p> </div> <!-- InstanceEndEditable --></div> <div id="footer"></div> </div> </body> <!-- InstanceEnd --></html>