Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC Offers Fun in the Sun at Camp Albrecht Acres

Jean Laney & Jessica, a counselor of Albrecht Acres, are doing check-ins for camp.

Elizabeth is shown here putting a helmet on camper Brianna before a bike ride.

Cedar 2 Sylas Walker helps wheelchair bound camper with his fishing.

By: Jean Laney & Joye Bowen, Cedar 2

AmeriCorps NCCC team Cedar 2 is assisting with Camp Albrecht Acres in Sherrill, Iowa until August 15 as counselors by keeping individuals with special mental and physical needs engaged in multiple fun-filled activities.

For five weeks, Cedar 2 has completed numerous activities with campers like fishing, swimming, hiking, arts and crafts, and volleyball which give campers a fun-filled experience of a day to day life. In addition, they learn to enjoy themselves despite any physical or mental limitations. Albrecht Acres campers also gain independence and leave knowing how to be observant and engaged in the outside world of camp.

“The most challenging thing about camp is being exhausted at times throughout the day, but then realizing the greatest joy of it all is having campers bring your moral up and show you that life is greater than complaints,” said Cedar 2 member Regan Naughton from Bow, New Hampshire.

Camp Albrecht Acres mission is to provide a unique environment for people with special needs by helping the campers grow socially and individually. The camp was created to develop individualized social skills goals for the members that attend.

Cedar 2 serves every Friday at an individual service project with Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens by laying down malt, cleaning pawns in the gardens getting all the different areas ready for the different seasons, weather changes and upcoming arboretum events. In addition, Cedar 2 painted the Teresa Shelter in Dubuque, Iowa yellow to add natural lighting to a dark hallway. The hallway transformation symbolized hope for a brighter future for the mothers and children staying at the shelter.