County's Adaptive Programs Ensure Everyone Has Fun at Camp

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL -- Every child deserves a chance to attend summer camp. That's why Hillsborough County offers adaptive summer programs for children, teens and young adults with varied levels of physical and mental disabilities.

Camp Sparks is exclusively for young people with disabilities, ages 5 to 22. Each applicant is evaluated and placed with campers facing similar challenges. The summer and after-school program has a 1-to-6 staff-to-student ratio.

Children, teens, and young adults with disabilities who wish to interact with able-bodied peers can opt to register for inclusive camp. The program is for ages 5 to 17.
It's not too late to register for these and other summer camps run by Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation. The camps take place at specified facilities throughout the county. Sessions run through Aug. 3.

Find more therapeutic and inclusion recreation programs.

Montana Murphy, 14, first attended Camp Sparks when she was 7. She had so much fun, her parents enrolled her in an after-school parks and recreation program. She now participates in inclusive activities and the Special Olympics.

Murphy is intellectually disabled and has physical limitations, but she overcomes everything, said her mom, Arlyne Murphy. In the fall, Murphy will begin ninth grade at Gaither High School.

Arlyne Murphy attributes much of her daughter's success and positive attitude to the county's parks and recreation's adaptive programs.

"I cannot say enough wonderful things about it," she said. "We just saw how much she enjoyed the program and how much she was growing."

Participating alongside able-bodied children and teens in inclusive activities has proven ideal for Murphy. Coaches and supervisors deal effectively with her disabilities, and ensure she is as involved in activities as everyone.

"More parents need to know about this," Arlyne Murphy said. "It's hard to find a place for our special needs kids. I don't worry when Montana is at camp. I know she's safe. I know she's taken care of. I know she's having fun."

Image via Hillsborough County

Montana Murphy with staff at the Northdale Recreation Center.