(Press release)

Killeen, TX – Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children (PKRC) this week welcomed young men and women from Central Texas and all across the country to serve as summer staff members for the retreat’s camp program. The summer staff will receive extensive training to prepare to help chronically ill and special needs children scheduled to attend a series of 12 week-long camps this summer.

Training for the summer staff will include physical activities, mental/emotional preparations, and educational instruction to prepare them to assist, encourage and teach young children with special needs. Preparation includes training on the high/low ropes challenge course, aquatics, sports, health and first aid, as well as education on the physical, cognitive and emotional demands of children with chronic or terminal illness.

Sheila Hobbs, age 19, from Wylie, Texas, joined PKRC’s summer staff this year after spending six years as a camper. Sheila was born with missing fingers and partial palm on her left hand, and was diagnosed with Symbracydactyly. She attended HD2 (Hands Down 2), a camp for children with congenital or injury-related hand differences. Sheila returned to camp as a counselor this year to give back some of the priceless gifts previous counselors have shared with her, “PKRC has given me so much over the years.” She adds, “I’m looking forward to working with all of the kids and giving back to the camp I love so much.”

PKRC’s Summer Camp Program, this year entitled “SURVIVORKIDS”, invites children with chronic illness or special needs to participate in diagnosis-specific week-long sessions by arrangement with their treating hospital or professional organization. Kids ages 3-18 attend camp free-of-charge, without regard to race, religion or ability. The retreat serves children whose abilities and disabilities vary. Some are verbal, social, and independent; others are non-verbal, non-ambulatory and/or incontinent. In spite of their differences, summer camp offers these special children the opportunity to run, play, swim, and enjoy being a kid through fun, safe, age-appropriate and ability-appropriate activities.

While at camp, children can enjoy therapeutic and recreational activities such as art, archery, drama, fishing, swimming, miniature golf, hiking, playground, ropes challenge course, sport court and movie theater. Additionally, PKRC’s summer camp program helps special needs children by encouraging social and basic life skills that better prepare them for adulthood by: building self-confidence, greater self-esteem and positive life attitudes; developing problem-solving skills, critical-thinking skills and coping skills; fostering cooperation and interpersonal communication skills; encouraging engagement in the community; and creating an appreciation of cultural and physical differences.

Young campers will venture from Central Texas communities such as Killeen, Temple, Waco, Austin, Georgetown, and Round Rock, as well as from Dallas and San Antonio. Many kids come to PKRC for respite and recreation, seeking a break from the challenges of living with a chronic or terminal illness such as autism, diabetes, blindness, deafness, cancer, missing limbs, hand differences, arthrogryposis, neurological disorders, asthma or other medical conditions. Children are sometimes are accompanied by their siblings, parents and/or medical caregivers for additional support.

"We are so excited to welcome our summer staff to Peaceable Kingdom,” shared Scott Simmonds, executive director of PKRC. “They are an integral part of serving children with special needs."

Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children, Inc. is a 501©3 not-for-profit organization with a mission to offer a place where children with special needs or chronic illness can celebrate the health-giving benefits of nature. The organization was established in 1984 by Jim and Daurice Bowmer as a fishing day camp for chronically ill children and their families. Since that time, the facilities and programs have greatly expanded to meet the increasing need for services for children with chronic or terminal illness and special needs. Today, PKRC serves over 6,000 children and their families annually. The retreat occupies 170 acres along the Lampasas River in Central Texas Scenic Hill County, and offers an Environmental Education Program, a Weekend Retreat Program, a Summer Camp Program and a Physical Therapy Program.

Discover opportunities for volunteering and sponsoring a special needs child for camp at www.peaceablekingdomretreat.com or call 254-554-5555.