Welcome

Located on the shores of Lake Michigan at Camp Blodgett in Holland, Michigan. Camp Sunshine's mission is to provide a camping experience for persons with developmental disabilities in an inclusive environment that embraces their recreational, emotional, physical, spiritual and relational needs.

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Camp Sunshine News

Golf Outing Reflections

Todd Van Grouw

Sunshine prevailed at the 7th annual Camp Sunshine charity golf outing on Saturday, May 30, despite a brief encounter with a little "heavy dew" falling from the sky. (Did you know that it never actually "rains" at Camp Sunshine events?!) But blue sky soon returned for a record 112 golfers as they enjoyed a great day on the course. Nearly 170 feasted on steak and chicken after golf. No one won the Harley Sportster, the Pontiac lease, or the Yamaha Rhino 4x4 utility vehicle, all hole-in-one giveaways. At hole 15 alone, 47 balls went for a swim, with only 19 landing on the green. But everyone in attendance was rewarded with a great day and a little bit of Sunshine.

Several veteran campers greeted golfers and handed out name tags as they arrived. Another group of campers joined us for dinner. Sunshine volunteers handed out drinks on the course, sold raffle tickets and handed out giveaways. Jeff Antvelink and his dedicated family hosted another phenomenal event in memory of their beloved sister and daughter, Lana, an original and longtime Camp Sunshine camper.

As part of the dinner festivities, our camp chaplain extraordinaire, Rev. "Doc" Van Hoeven, interviewed camper Tim Jones about his experience at camp and his unique perspectives on life and faith. Tim then sang his trademark song, "Let There Be Peace on Earth." Let there be peace, indeed! The crowd sang to Doc to help celebrate his 75th birthday—as he looks forward to his twenty-seventh year at camp. Out on the course, some golf balls flew where they were supposed to, other balls not so much. But the goal of raising money for the greatest camp around and sharing a little bit of Sunshine was right on course. Thanks to the Antvelinks and all who contributed to Camp Sunshine at this great event. We look forward to seeing you again in 2010! View the Camp Sunshine Golf Outing 2009 pictures here

Be a Counselor - Make a Difference

Doug Ammeraal

Who Can Make a Difference?

Many individuals believe that working with individuals with special needs "requires the patience of a saint." While it does require a lot of patience, what it requires more of is human compassion - something many of us have, but don't seem ready to acknowledge. Every summer, for the past 27 years, young men and women from local high schools and colleges have shown this human compassion! Last year alone, over 200 counselors and CITs (counselors in training) gave their time, energy, and hearts to Camp Sunshine & to the campers. Now it's your turn.

What are the Details of Camp Sunshine?

Camp Sunshine conducts two consecutive 3 night/4 day camps on the shores of Lake Michigan at Camp Blodgett. Each counselor is paired with a camper giving a unique, special one-to-one relationship. There is singing, dancing, arts and crafts, swimming, special events, and much more. The out-pouring of love, compassion and joy will fill your heart and make each moment special.

When is it?

Session I = August 3-6
Session II = August 7-10

How old do I have to be?

The minimum age is 16 years old. Many applications have already been mailed in. Be sure to get yours in as soon as possible. The deadline is May 15.

What Options are there for Volunteering at Camp Sunshine?

There are 3 options to show your compassion to the special population at Camp Sunshine.
*Option 1: Fulltime Counselor: paired up with camper, for either Session I or Session II.
*Option 2: CIT (counselor in training): you will be paired with a counselor and camper for 24 hours.
*Option 3: Floater: previous counselors ONLY can provide relief for fulltime counselors
There is a mandatory orientation meeting that will be held on August 2, from 7-10 pm at Camp Blodgett.

How do I sign up?

Go to the application section, download, and print off the application. If you are a first time counselor, you must have 3 references and a belief statement sent in with your application. If you would like more information about volunteering at Camp Sunshine, please feel free to email Doug Ammeraal at dougammeraal@gmail.com

A Personal Glance at Sunshine

Mimi Bush

Summer 2009 will be the ninth summer the Bush family has the opportunity to share in Camp Sunshine. As a family we have had the privilege to grow up and grow deeper with the Sunshine community through music, dance, play, wonder, tears of both joy and sadness, laughter, learning, and love. We, with our children who are now in college, plan our summer schedule around Camp Sunshine. Camp is holy space and time; holy in the sense that it is set apart from the rest of life, it is "sacred", infused with a spirit unlike what we often experience in the otherwise daily routines. Our daughters have a "count down" on FaceBook for Camp. Their childhood excitement for the Christmas holidays is now superceded by their anticipation for Sunshine. What is this about?

An old wisdom story:
There were three stonemasons at work side by side. Each was asked, "What are you doing?" The first, sweat on his brow, responded gruffly, "What does it look like? I'm laying block." The second, working methodically, answered, "I making a living." The third mason, with clear eyes, said, "I am building a cathedral!"

The gift of Camp Sunshine is the privilege of participating in something much larger than our selves. Some might explain it as a sort of time warp, or a parallel universe, a paradise wherein for a short time we are transported to a place suggesting that all of life might be different than the demands, pressures, expectations, and exclusions we normally experience. Camp is more hope-filled, more grace-filled, where success and perfection are no longer the goal, where different is good, where who we are and what we have to offer is measured more by our openness to give, receive, and embrace mystery rather than our knowledge and skill. It is a freedom just to be. Sunshine is that unique place where the sacred resides in each camper, each counselor, and each volunteer. It makes me stop and stand amazed. Ahhh! So this is what the realm of God is like. "Oh Yes!" This is a taste of what reality should be.

I suspect that for many who experience Sunshine, the rest of life is "laying block" or "making a living", and is illusion. Camp is "real". It is a reminder of what can be. It teaches me to begin to live the Sunshine reality everyday, not just the first week of August. Together we are part of something much bigger, and Camp is the practice session. Together we are building a cathedral; beautiful, magnificent, and holy...and I get to part of it. Thanks.

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