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

Sites and Sounds of Camp Sunshine

Check out the "Sites and Sounds of Camp Sunshine" video which will give you a guided tour of the property where Camp Sunshine meets each summer. For those of you that have not been out to Camp before it will help prepair you for your experience. Enjoy!

Sites and Sounds of Camp Sunshine Video (Windows Media Format)

8th Annual Camp Sunshine Charity Golf Event

In loving memory of Lana Antvelink, we held the 8th Annual Charity Golf Event to benefit Camp Sunshine on June 5, 2010. Lana had Down's syndrome and attended this special camp every August for 19 years prior to her "Homegoing" on March 14, 2002. This charity event has been developed to financially support Camp Sunshine and it's programs benefiting these special young people.

Thank you to everybody who participated or donated items for this event. A special thanks to the Antvelink family who organizes this event each year.

Counselor Forms Now Available

The Camp Sunshine Counselor applications are now available. Please go to the 'Counselors' page and follow the instructions.

Camper Forms Now Available

The Camp Sunshine Camper Registration forms are now available. Please go to the 'Campers' page and click on the links to open the forms. Please print the forms and mail them to Camp Sunshine.

Camp Sunshine Lost a Wonderful Counselor

Jeffrey Christensen

On Monday, December 14, 2009, Camp Sunshine lost a wonderful counselor, Jeffrey Christensen. Our sympathy goes out to Jeff's parents and his brother Chad, who also is a Camp Sunshine counselor. These words were written by his family.

"Jeff Christensen, age 21, loved helping others and held a special place in his heart for people with special needs. As a Camp Sunshine counselor, Jeff had a way with the campers that was remarkable for such a young man. Working with the campers drew Jeff in and they truly inspired him. He loved camp every year where the smiles were contagious and where he could share his quiet faith simply be being the loving individual that he was. Although he volunteered there to give his time and talents, Jeff received so much more in return and was a better person for it."

We are grateful that Jeff's family chose Camp Sunshine as the memorial. To this date, there is over $830.00.

Please visit Jeff’s website here to leave a favorite memory or photo of Jeff or to sign his online guest book.

Counselor Reflection of Camp Sunshine

Alyssa Jensen

The first time I set foot outside of my car and onto Camp Sunshine’s soil, an anxious and restless feeling took over inside of me. I was nervous and completely unsure of what to expect. Not only was this my first time working at a camp, but it was my first time being surrounded by this type of diverse population. Within 30 minutes of my camper’s arrival, I was truly won over by her spirit. This is my 6th year and I plan on returning in 2010.

As the campers proceed into camp on opening day, their smiles bring in the sunshine and their contagious love spreads to everyone. The atmosphere Camp Sunshine creates is unexplainable in the sense that you will never be so drawn and inspired by a single person in your entire life as you are by your camper. When I think of what camp has done for me I think of the beautiful gift the campers have given me that I will hold forever in my mind and heart. Building a connection and a friendship with a person who cherishes every second of the life that God has given her/him has inspired me to appreciate every moment I have been given.

Franz P Shubert once said, “Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same.” Camp Sunshine has done just that. Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the amazing moments that I have had at Camp Sunshine.

Parent's Reflection of Camp Sunshine

Ray and Jo Gager

August 3rd came with lots of rain, but that did not dampen Matt's spirit as today he was off to his beloved Camp Sunshine. As close as we can remember, this was year 26 for Matt and Sunshine. If Matt could tell you with words, we believe he would say it is the highlight of his life. As parents we can thank you for the gift of dignity you give to Matt's life and a reason to celebrate his being. "Yes, Jesus loves Him, Camp Sunshine tells us so".

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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