Pack your bags!
Some residents at Gabriel Homes are making their yearly trip to their home away from home, Camp Jaycee. The sleepaway summer camp gives adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities two weeks to connect with friends, play sports, do arts and crafts, and make the memories that only happen at campfires.
The Packing Process
Months of preparation by staff precede the two weeks residents spend at camp. Registration starts months in advance, followed by packing, shopping for supplies, packaging medications, and coordinating transportation. On the day of drop-off, staff drive the residents to camp, sign them in, and return to Reston on the same day.
“Each year, we adapt and learn something new. History has taught us that there’s no such thing as being too prepared!”
The Countdown Is On
Joe (left), a resident at Gabriel Homes, spoke for months about his excitement for Camp Jaycee. From the day he learned about his summer session dates, the countdown began. Anyone who spoke with Joe would let you know how many days there were until camp started, and Jaycee was all he could talk about.
“Camp Jaycee is my favorite place in the world!” says Joe, smiling. “There is a lot to do at camp: soccer, basketball, and swimming. I’m never bored because there is always something to look forward to.”
Days at Camp Jaycee rarely slow down. Gabriel Homes residents’ schedules are packed with sports, swimming, art, music, and evening programs. The routine provides structure while giving residents the freedom to follow their interests.
“I always want to go to the lake pool,” says Patrick (right), a resident who’s been going to Camp Jaycee for several years. “Sometimes I beat the counselors at swimming across the lake. Then I like going to arts and crafts, where I draw some of the flowers from camp.”
Friends Come First
More than any programs, the campers are the heart and soul of summer camps. Some of the strongest friendships grow from the shared experience of sleepaway camp: no phones, no work, away from the real world. Residents return every year to see old friends who live in other states.
“I’ve made lots of friends at camp, and the counselors are very kind too. There are new people every summer, so I try to show new friends that Camp Jaycee is my summer home. I hope they feel the same when they leave.”