My son’s first PWS camping trip was a success
Campers spent three days enjoying Minnesota's outdoors
On Sept. 16, 18 adults with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) arrived at Camp Knutson, including my adult son, Robert. The camp is located in Crosslake, Minnesota, between Big Trout Lake and Lower Whitefish Lake. Tall pines surround the rolling meadows, and the scent of the trees isn’t easily forgotten.
Several large, comfortable rustic cabins and lodges are used for lodging, meals, and activities. A sandy beach is located at the end of a paved walkway. Motorized boats, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats are available for use.
The camp was founded in 1953 after Congressman Harold Knutson donated the land. His mother was an enthusiastic activist for people with special needs and wanted to share the beauty of the location. A service of the Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, the camp hosts retreats for youths and adults with medical conditions or other identified needs, such as those experiencing homelessness.
I serve on the board of the Oakwood Fund, which voted to cover all the fees involved in sending this group to camp. I love being a part of an organization that gives back to the community!
I encouraged Robert and other people connected to Stepping Out, his group home, to attend. But because Robert was the only camper coming from the eastern suburbs of Minneapolis, I was obliged to drive him there. Other PWS parents from the western suburbs volunteered to drive the other attendees and help out at the camp.
Staff from AME Community Services chaperoned four cabins, and staff from PWS group homes facilitated during mealtimes. Campers were served a plate of food with a limited calorie count. No buffet lines!
Jeremy Hosterman, a longtime staff member at Stepping Out, chaperoned Robert’s cabin. Jeremy owns a company called Pluto Noodle that creates storytelling and animation experiences for people with disabilities. He has made films about PWS and was an outstanding camp counselor!
Mobility problems prevented me from volunteering, but I did go and swim with the campers one afternoon. Minnesota lakes are cold in September, so there were few swimmers, but campers enjoyed riding on the pontoon boat and tubing behind the speedboat.
Beach time provided an opportunity for me to talk with the campers about their experience. One person mentioned that the food was excellent. This would, of course, be important! The female campers enjoyed making bracelets and doing other arts and crafts. Each camper made their own name tag using a small piece of wood.
All were enthusiastic and enjoyed the break from their usual routine. The campers all live in group homes and are never alone except in their bedrooms, so they reveled in the alone time they had at camp. Many participants engaged in “forest bathing,” where they’d absorb the scents, sounds, and silence while surrounded by trees.
Why PWS camps matter
There are other PWS camps in San Antonio, Texas, and Ashley, Ohio, but distance has prevented Robert from attending either. I hope another camp will be offered in Minnesota next year.
Parents of healthy children may wonder why a PWS-specific camp is so essential. Robert attended a special needs camp for years, but during his last experience, he gained 20 pounds in four days. Somehow, he had managed to obtain extra food. This can be deadly for a person with PWS.
Robert was happier than I had ever seen him on the drive home. He was delighted with his experience and told me often how happy he was that I made him go. Enjoying time with peers is healthy and vital for all. He said he enjoyed boating on the lake, participating in group activities, and simply “hanging with the guys.” I extend my sincere thank you to all who made this year’s camp possible.
Note: Prader-Willi Syndrome News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Prader-Willi Syndrome News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Prader-Willi syndrome.
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