Camp of the Heart at Hartman Center
A United Church of Christ Conference, Camp and Retreat Center
Milroy, Pennsylvania

My name is Kara Druckenmiller. I’ve been a special education teacher for four years. During college, I worked at Hartman Center as a counselor and met a family that had several children, one of whom was autistic and mildly mentally retarded. He always wanted to stay when his brother and sister came to camp, but never could.

It was my inspiration and motivation to try and make it so he could come to camp. So three years ago this summer, I started the first summer camp at Hartman Center for special needs individuals from ages seven to adult.

The campers had various disabilities including autism, Down’s syndrome, mental retardation, some physical handicaps and other various disorders. The maximum number of campers was 12. Campers were allowed to bring a family member or caretaker if they wished. If not we had volunteers, enough for one-to-one companionship. We also had our own nurse who went everywhere with the camp.

We stayed in a handicap-accessible building, where we slept, had Bible/study time and sang songs. We went to the dining hall, which is accessible, to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner with the other campers from various other themed camps, that is, hiking camp, junior camp, junior high camp and family camp.

We also went fishing. To get out to the pond, which is quite a distance, some of the campers walked, while others were driven in the camp’s golf cart. We went on
hayrides. We swam, did crafts, participated in the talent show, cookout, had campfires, played games and enjoyed many other activities.

Bible studies included a scavenger hunt looking for various nature things: flower, sticks, pine cone, rock, etc. We then talked about how these items represent God and how we could see God and Jesus in nature.

Campers, volunteers, camp staff and other campers from other camps involved with Camp of the Heart have said how much it has changed them, how much fun they had and how rejuvenated they felt in mind and spirit after camp.

This camp is rewarding for those who are involved. Camp of the Heart is the perfect name for it because the camp is just that. Everybody shares a piece of their hearts, as well as a piece of God because God shines through us all.

Campers have returned consecutive years. More and more interest is being gained to join Camp of the Heart. What an awesome ministry for the campers and for the volunteers.