AbilityFirst Camp Paivika

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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: ">Opened in 1947, Camp Paivika is one of the nation&rsquo;s first resident recreational camps built specifically for people with disabilities. An AbilityFirst (formerly the Crippled Children&rsquo;s Society) facility, located in the San Bernardino National Forest, just outside of Los Angeles, and near Big Bear, Camp Paivika offers summer and winter overnight camp programs for children and adults with autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, epilepsy and other mild to severe physical and developmental disabilities. </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: ">Kids, teens and adults with mild to severe physical and developmental disabilities come to Camp Paivika in the summer and winter for horseback riding, swimming, adaptive sports, campfires and cookouts, arts and crafts, performing arts and other enjoyable, enriched activities. With a sense of freedom inspired by time spent outdoors in natural surroundings, campers learn, develop new interests and confidence through guided play, social skills building, and exploration.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: ">We are aware that many campers are away from parents and home for the first time. Our staff responds with understanding and support to help make this very important transition a success.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: ">Opportunities for socialization are built into every program and activity. Many participants come to Camp Paivika year after year, making memories and forming lasting bonds of friendship with fellow campers and staff.&nbsp;</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: ">Camp Paivika is fully accredited by the American Camping Association and is operated under special use permit with the San Bernardino National Forest. Camp Paivika can accommodate 58 campers each session. The 12-acre facility includes five dormitories, health care center, staff quarters, craft center, nature study center, amphitheater and fire ring, swimming pool, horse stables and a main lodge with a large recreation room and dining hall.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: ">At all times, the safety and well-being of each camper is paramount and our carefully screened, qualified staff and&nbsp;nursing personnel meet the medical, diet, feeding and personal hygiene care and assistance needs of each camper with respect for the dignity of all. Individualized health and well-being necessities and regimens are provided. These include personal care and hygiene (toileting, brushing teeth, combing hair, showering), dietary and eating assistance (food prep, diabetic, special eating equipment), medications and medical care (seizures, nursing assistance, catheterization, g-tube), redirecting inappropriate or self-destructive behaviors, ambulatory assistance (wheelchairs/walkers/canes) and communication (non-verbal, sign language, special device), among others.&nbsp;</span></p>

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Accreditations

• ACA

Camp Focus

Special Needs Camps: Autism

Special Needs Camps: Cerebral Palsy

Special Needs Camps: Developmental Disabilities

Special Needs Camps: Physical Disabilities

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