Hundreds of people with mild to severe disabilities attend Easter Seals Wisconsin camps every year. Our camps provide a unique environment that allows campers to experience things that parents and caregivers may not have the expertise, time, supplies, financial resources or energy to provide. In addition, according to a study by the American Camp Association, campers also experience significant growth in areas of self-esteem, independence, friendship skills, social comfort, peer relationships, adventure and exploration, and environmental awareness.

Parents and caregivers naturally worry about their loved one’s ability to cope away from home and about turning his or her care over to camp staff. Some also find it hard to admit they need the break they will experience while their loved one is away at camp. But the ‘time off’ often helps families recharge and strengthens the relationship between spouses and between parents and their other children. Knowing that a camp session is coming up can also help caregivers get through the inevitable stressful moments, and the rejuvenation experienced while their loved one is at camp can help reduce future stresses.

For campers, for caregivers, for parents and for siblings, Easter Seals Wisconsin camps provide benefits that continue year-round and can last a lifetime.

For 70 years, Easter Seals Wisconsin has been providing memories that last a lifetime for children and adults with disabilities. At Easter Seals Camp Wawbeek and Wisconsin Elks/Easter Seals Respite Camp, campers enjoy the beautiful outdoors while forming new friendships and discovering themselves through new experiences.

Our accessible camps share over 400 wooded acres where campers can hike, climb, race, explore, swim, create, dance, sing and just hang out — all with friends by their side. Parents and caregivers can relax and enjoy a break from caregiving, knowing that well-trained counselors and staff, as well as a registered nurse, are on-site ensuring their loved ones’ well-being and encouraging their growth.

The magic of Easter Seals camps doesn’t end once campers return home. By challenging themselves with extracurricular, educational and personal development activities during their time at camp, campers reap year-round rewards. Outcomes include easier adjustments to new environments, a greater sense of personal satisfaction and increased independence that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Best of all, the friendships formed at camp provide a support and social network that can last a lifetime.