I’ve teamed up with my siblings on a project that we believe is God’s purpose for us. We want Holiday Retreat Family Camp to stand as a premier destination campground catering to families with special-needs children seeking nature-based experiences.

Each of us brings different work experiences to enhance this personal project. My sister is a parent to a special-needs child, has a degree in accounting, and has over twenty-five years of experience in customer service. One brother is a U.S.A.F. veteran with a background in law enforcement and business ownership. Our other brother has over twenty-three years of retail and management experience. I have thirty years of experience in customer service. And, I’d like to think I have the writing skills to help promote our mission.

Our inspiration is certainly my nephew Patrick, who has special needs, but it also started over forty years ago.

When we were young, our family went camping every summer. It was horrible. A family of six cramped in a small pop-up camper not getting along. A rusted playground. Pricy add-ons. Extra work for mom. Dad working within a strapped budget. And kids with nothing to do except skip stones and roll in poison ivy.

Drawing inspiration from our own challenging camping experiences as children, Holiday Retreat Family Camp will be founded on the principle of creating a haven for families. Our goal will be to rectify the shortcomings of our childhood camping escapades by offering a fun and stress-free celebration for every family that will grace our campground.

As parents, aunts, and uncles to a special-needs child, we understand the importance of inclusivity, especially for families with special-needs children. In Phase 1 of our visionary project, we will ensure that at least nine cabins are ADA-compliant. Phase 2 will involve the creation of an all-abilities playground and sensory rooms, further emphasizing our commitment to inclusivity.

Our Phase 3 program will be the culmination of our commitment to families with special-needs children. The family vacation package will include accessible lodging, farm-to-table meals, a parental support group, and a range of planned activities with the help of a family companion in a safe and relaxed environment.

Our goal will be to strengthen family bonds and reduce stress without putting extra work on the parents. The whole family will be able to relax and enjoy their stay.

Follow Holiday Retreat Family Camp’s Facebook Page for more information and updates on our visionary project.