Camp WAMP 2007
Wheelchair Adventure Mountain Program
Camp Nejedly originally was started by California Senator John A. Nejedly from District 7. During his time in office he donated 80 acres of wilderness land in the Sierra Nevada’s for use as a summer camp for kids with physical challenges and challenged children. Giving them all the chance to experience the great outdoors, just like everyone else.
The annual Camp Wamp group photo.
Everyone had the chance for a meet and greet at the staging area, before starting the trail run to Camp Wamp.
With the assistance of the councilors loading went quickly.
It all started for Steve Wampler when he was 9 years old. Born with cerebral palsy, Steve has been in a wheelchair ever since. He was 9 when his parents sent him on his first solo camping trip. Put on by Easter Seals, it was a weeklong camp for kids that were physically challenged at what was then called Camp Nejedly. He enjoyed it so much he continued to attend every year until he entered college. While in college, Easter Seals stopped the camp for the kids.
After graduating from U.C. Davis, he went on with his life and ended up having his own successful business in Coronado, California. He married Elizabeth over 10 years ago and they’ve formed a tight, supportive team at work planning corporate retreats and conventions, and at home, where they rear their kids, Charlotte and Joseph.
About five years ago he wondered what ever happened to the old camp where he had so much fun meeting other kids, playing games, learning how to deal with his life and camping on his own. He found it was still there but not being used for physically challenged kids program, and wondered who could step up and get it going again. The answer? It would be him leading the way. He talked to Elizabeth and she was behind him from day one.
He founded the Wheelchair Adventure Mountain Program and then started camp WAMP in the summer of 2004. Camp WAMP is located at the original site and continues to carry on the tradition that Senator Nejedly started. Steve had to find a way to transport all the supplies and kids to the camp. That’s when the Hills Angels 4x4 club from Nevada stepped up and made it happen. Last year, Hills Angels contacted the Diablo 4- Wheelers club and as usual with most any 4 wheel drive club, they stepped right up to help.
Most of the meadows along the trail were full of flowers in bloom.
Diablo has been helping for two years now as a club event. To get all of the kids plus one counselor for each kid to camp, it takes about 16 rigs for people and at least two trucks for equipment. Xterra club’s Northern and Southern California chapters also helped this year with several club rigs. This year, Diablo wanted to do more than just provide transportation. They looked for businesses to help pay expenses the kids’ families incur. When they contacted Brent Goegebuer at 4 Wheel Parts he said yes to sponsoring a kid and went to see how 4WP could help get more kids to this great experience in the future.
This year, the kids loaded on a bus for the first stage of their adventure at Pheobe Hearst School in Sacramento and were introduced to their camp counselors and partners for the week. Then their adventure started with a three hour trip to the staging area where they were carried off the bus and had lunch. While they were eating, the volunteers loaded all the camping equipment and wheel chairs on the 4X’s for the next part of their adventure that brought smiles to their faces... wheeling over the trail in off-road rigs.
Brent from 4 Wheel Parts presents Steve Wampler a check to sponsor one of the kids. Once the group arrived, it was time to unload. Everyone pitched in and it went quickly.
For most of us off-roaders, it wasn’t the hardest trail we’ve encountered, but for these kids, it was a great adventure. Just seeing the smiles on their faces and the enjoyment they were having was reward enough for all of the volunteer club members.
After wheeling 12 dusty miles into camp it was time for the group photo and settling in. Without a doubt they were excited about being in camp and were looking forward to their week of activities including swimming in the lake, learning to row boats, camping, and playing games. Most of all, it includes learning how to be outdoors and away from their normal support group! As for the clubs, it was time to hit the trail back to the pavement and let the kids start their week of fun.
The next weekend another group of clubs bring in the second group of campers and take out this first group. On the third weekend another club goes to provide transportation back out and the camp is shut down until next year’s two week event.
Once the group arrives its time to start setting up the camp. Everyone from the kids to the camp counselors kicks in and setup goes quick.
Without a doubt, what Steve Wampler has created with Camp WAMP is a great experience for the kids, and a success as a complete program.
All you have to do to understand that is just look at the smiles on these kid’s faces.
That alone makes it all worthwhile! WAMP 2007 was a great success.
Go to www.campwamp.org for more information.
Hope to see you there next year.