Enthusiasm soars at Camp Guardian

STEWARTSVILLE, Mo. - It was the fourth day of activities Thursday at Camp Guardian, and the kids were still excited.

Campers with special needs come from across the state for the one-week experience that includes boating, fishing, archery, BB-gun target practice, paintball, swimming, and arts and crafts.

A St. Joseph resident, Jeffrey Yokley, enjoys participating as a camper.

"I help people who can't talk or can't eat by themselves," Mr. Yokley said with a big smile.

He also likes to participate in the evening dancing programs and be interviewed on television about the weather.

Mary Pease, a St. Joseph resident, said she loves paintball and riding in paddle boats.

"It's been an outstanding morning at the fishing hole," said Maj. Tracy Birkett. He travels from the St. Louis area each year to volunteer.

On Thursday morning, a couple of campers caught small bluegills, Mr. Birkett said. Largemouth bass were striking the smaller fish, and the campers were fascinated with the scene, he said. Campers also love watching snapping turtles and frogs, Mr. Birkett said.

If he's not on active duty next year with the 157th Air Operations Group, Mr. Birkett plans to be back as a volunteer.

"I can't imagine not being here," he said.

Volunteers from the Missouri National Guard's Army and Air Force units and their families have been staffing the camp for 34 years, said Wanda Hrenchir, assistant director. The staff works with children with special needs, mental and physical, she said.

The number of campers is determined by the number of volunteer staffers. This year there are 110 volunteers, and that works out to 71 campers. There is no charge to the campers.

Guard members have created a not-for-profit Camp Guardian group and do fundraising on their own time, said Brig. Gen. Steve Danner, who flew in by helicopter to be with the campers for a few hours Thursday. The long-range goal is for the Guard to have its own campgrounds so Camp Guardian can grow and also be used to provide vacations for Guard members and their families, Mr. Danner said,

Guard members also contribute to the Combined Federal Campaign, and a percentage of their contributions support the camp.

Source: http://www.newspressnow.com/news/2009/jul/24/enthusiasm-soars-camp-guardian/