Camp Virginia Jaycee

Camp Virginia Jaycee is a Summer time outdoor recreational and educational program for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Camp is a 501 (c) 3 organization. Originally sponsored jointly by The Virginia Jaycees and the Virginia ARC, an association for developmentally disabled, the Camp now functions as an indepe... ndent non-profit corporation. The idea of establishing a camp for children with special needs first originated in 1969 when Bill Robertson, a young Jaycee from Roanoke, identified the need for a special needs recreational camp, and convinced The Virginia Jaycees to sell apple jelly in order to fund and build the original Camp Virginia Jaycee. Since that time, the Jaycees of Virginia have raised funds for land acquisition, buildings, facility maintenance, and camperships. Today many other organizations and individuals partner with Camp Virginia Jaycee to bring services to people with special needs. We are especially grateful for our friends at Camp Bethel, who have served as our hosts for the 2011 and 2012 camping seasons. Children and adults with special needs can be helped physically, mentally, and emotionally by an outdoor education and recreation experience. Yet the National ARC organization has pointed out that only a small percentage of the citizens with special needs have actually been involved in existing tax supported public recreational facilities and programs. Camp Virginia Jaycee brings these special people such an experience.Read More